<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:g-custom="http://base.google.com/cns/1.0" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" version="2.0">
  <channel>
    <title>SFOI BLOG</title>
    <link>https://www.sfoi.org</link>
    <description>Get all the latest updates for Sports Fan Outreach and Daily Devotionals.</description>
    <atom:link href="https://www.sfoi.org/feed/rss2" type="application/rss+xml" rel="self" />
    <image>
      <title>SFOI BLOG</title>
      <url>https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Canva-+SFOI+Stadium+Logo.png</url>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org</link>
    </image>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Joshua Richards</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-joshua-richards</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Joshua Richards
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Columbus Crew
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ScottsMiracle-Gro Field
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/richards_joshua" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Richards+-+Columbus+Crew-58a39a35.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Joshua's  banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, May 02, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Rafael Bagirov Kofi (Rafael's friend), SK (member of Pastor King's church)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Besides the typical responses, one man yelled "why are you here??" and later, another man said "thank you for being here". I was joined by three new evangelists, SK (from Pastor King's church). This was his first time doing evangelism. He initially wanted to observe; he ended up handing out tracts. I was also joined by Rafael (whose dad was a local missionary) and his friend Kofi (Rafael also had two other friends handing out tracts elsewhere). After I preached, I asked Rafael, and he preached open air for the first time with amplification. God answered my prayer for more laborers!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Isaac Bryant
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaac and I handed out maybe 150 tracts and preached open air. I talked to one guy named Jacob who was not attending the game but wanted to see what all the people were doing. He was in town for a few days all the way from San Diego. He claimed to be a non-denominational Christian. He didn't talk much theology though, but when I started doing the good person test he admitted he was a sinner. I was able to get his contact info for follow up, (who has since contact me for info about SFOI and monergism). I also discovered through Jacob that there were some Scientologists handing out their cultic literature. I was about to wrap up the outreach, when a man named Mark walked up to us and requested prayer for his wife who wanted a divorce. I gave him a tract and told him I would pray for him on the spot but with his head down he said he had to get to the game. Glory to God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Pastor Ezhilarasan King, Isaac Bryant, Isaiah Richards
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Had two new evangelists join Isaiah and I; Pastor Ezhilarasan King and Isaac Bryant. Isaiah held a small cross, and the rest of us preached open air and handed out lots of tracts; maybe over 200! Pastor King preached open air for the first time, praise God! Had a few hecklers; one of them who was somewhat tipsy said "I already know the Bible." I said, how many books are in the Bible? He said "12". I said no, there are more. He said, "I have all the books I need!" Glory to God
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           E
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          vangelist w
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ho
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          joined
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : Isaiah Richards
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          There were so many fans I was able to give out around 50 tracts at a perfect ministry location next to the stadium. Since more fans were still pouring into the stadium, I decided to preach open air, and I would say around 500 fans heard the Gospel. Around 10 or so men gave me fist bumps. All glory to the King of kings.
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:52:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-joshua-richards</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Richard+-+Columbus+Crew.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Richard+-+Columbus+Crew.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Darrel Davis</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-darrel-davis</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Darrel Davis
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wilson Warbirds - Wilson Sports + Entertainment Complex (WiSE)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/davis_darrel"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Darrel+Davis+Wilson+Warbirds.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Darrel's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who Joined: Penny Davis and David Chavez
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Sowing Gospel seeds.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/goeministriesnc?__cft__[0]=AZazIvrsebMrVVFJf7kL6Tr8TnA-ieAPi3_6Jk3xSQOoP9e3xaf-eIzRfIS6mcTa-dQjptZIYYJzFr8J7ZRyBWJB4H0jn-1xH639p1LXdw0DUpSFuBIFwxvLH9qGCkiX54E&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Giving Others Eternity Ministries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZazIvrsebMrVVFJf7kL6Tr8TnA-ieAPi3_6Jk3xSQOoP9e3xaf-eIzRfIS6mcTa-dQjptZIYYJzFr8J7ZRyBWJB4H0jn-1xH639p1LXdw0DUpSFuBIFwxvLH9qGCkiX54E&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Friday, April 17, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who Joined: Penny Davis
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Warbirds update
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/goeministriesnc?__cft__[0]=AZYcFWrAIyTO0rHBIQnIjmMVwv3_GZYFfeYZEZrB0KcVM8WjKpQATYoE-qDNEuoTogG6t_uBiKDrTm95ghVK9kbAprvG--d21DPZnnDqZ1GQHNw2qOxsoPYFG6_1MqvKOpkpJi6d6dqEeNsvUYmGEY4mPqiPb1u6iEhGn60tJdipxUbp5DNrfxxqKO1wk2_m9oo&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Giving Others Eternity Ministries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZYcFWrAIyTO0rHBIQnIjmMVwv3_GZYFfeYZEZrB0KcVM8WjKpQATYoE-qDNEuoTogG6t_uBiKDrTm95ghVK9kbAprvG--d21DPZnnDqZ1GQHNw2qOxsoPYFG6_1MqvKOpkpJi6d6dqEeNsvUYmGEY4mPqiPb1u6iEhGn60tJdipxUbp5DNrfxxqKO1wk2_m9oo&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who Joined: Penny Davis
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            This year, my heart’s desire is that the people of Wilson, NC will see our efforts for the gospel and say, “…These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also…” Acts‬ ‭17‬:‭6‬
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/goeministriesnc?__cft__[0]=AZaxjhnN__LS2POE9Aorgb6L-4lNRF6yKcc5-T1jr4XdnhXILpSFOQ3v5MpkY_-FfFr90JNHMOUoDR9R6yQuiBdpdIcZ0MJta_qC3XXlrMBGk342r2Yv1oJsKiPd1KbOb5I_6esD2g5vH2xgFviGmL88_dzZOnRBOlbvo-OrEEkCqvDEe-zbmpHROzEssAwGFNk&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Giving Others Eternity Ministries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZaxjhnN__LS2POE9Aorgb6L-4lNRF6yKcc5-T1jr4XdnhXILpSFOQ3v5MpkY_-FfFr90JNHMOUoDR9R6yQuiBdpdIcZ0MJta_qC3XXlrMBGk342r2Yv1oJsKiPd1KbOb5I_6esD2g5vH2xgFviGmL88_dzZOnRBOlbvo-OrEEkCqvDEe-zbmpHROzEssAwGFNk&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Darrel+Davis+Wilson+Warbirds.png" length="1495568" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:16:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-darrel-davis</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Darrel+Davis+Wilson+Warbirds.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Darrel+Davis+Wilson+Warbirds.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>NFL Draft Invitation 2026</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-invitation-2026</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           NFL Draft Invitation 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pittsburgh, PA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Draft+-26+a.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on the banner above to read more about the event.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friends, you are invited to join team leader Matthew Cochran to reach out at the NFL Draft in Pittsburg on April 22-25, 2026.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord willing SFOI will be there and is looking for 16 men to join the team to preach the Gospel to the fans and local citizens as they come and go from fan activities at the Acrisure Stadium; minister to them in the moment and refer them to a Bible teaching church or ministry for discipleship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For more details, please visit:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To register for the event, click here:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://info.sfoi.org/new-registration"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://info.sfoi.org/new-registration
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Draft+-26+a.jpeg" length="135690" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:51:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-invitation-2026</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Draft+-26+a.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Draft+-26+a.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Final Four Invitation 2026</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/final-four-invitation-2026</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Final Four Invitation 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indianapolis, IN
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfoi.org/final-four"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Final+Four+-26-0bae7aca.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on the banner above to read more about the event.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Join Steven Kendall and his team to proclaim the gospel at the Final Four in Indianapolis, IN on April 3-6, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For details &amp;amp; to register, visit:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/final-four"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/final-four
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Final+Four+-26-0bae7aca.png" length="3044626" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:48:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/final-four-invitation-2026</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Final+Four+-26-0bae7aca.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Final+Four+-26-0bae7aca.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Indy 500 Invitation 2026</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/indy-500-invitation-2026</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indy 500 Invitation 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indianapolis, IN
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfoi.org/indy-500"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/indy+500+26.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on the banner above to read more about the event.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Join Steven Kendall and his team to proclaim the gospel at the Indy 500 in Indianapolis, IN on May 22 - 24, 2026 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For more info and to register, visit:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/indy-500"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/indy-500
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/indy+500+26.png" length="3863184" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:46:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/indy-500-invitation-2026</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/indy+500+26.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/indy+500+26.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bonnaroo Music Festival Invitation 2026</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-invitation-2026</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bonnaroo Music Festival Invitation 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Manchester, TN
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+-26.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on the banner above to read more about the event.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Join Corey Lindsey and his team for the Bonnaroo Music Festival outreach in Manchester, TN, on June 11 - 13.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For more information and to register, click here:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+-26.png" length="3004599" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:44:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-invitation-2026</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+-26.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+-26.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix Invitation 2026</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-invitation-2026</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music City Grand Prix Invitation 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nashville, TN
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Music+City+Grand+Prix+-26-2.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on the banner above to read more about the event.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Join Ben Gonzales and his team to reach out to the fans and local citizens at the Music City Grand Prix 2026.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Venue: Nashville, TN
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: July 17-19, '26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For details and to register goto:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Music+City+Grand+Prix+-26-2.png" length="4041400" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:40:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-invitation-2026</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Music+City+Grand+Prix+-26-2.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Music+City+Grand+Prix+-26-2.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kentucky Derby Invitation 2026</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-invitation-2026</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kentucky Derby Invitation 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Louisville, KY
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kentucky+Derby+-26.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on the banner above to read more about the event.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bobby McCreery invites you to join him again, Lord willing, to preach Christ to the 250,000 fans and local citizens! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Details and to register:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kentucky+Derby+-26.jpeg" length="201397" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:38:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-invitation-2026</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kentucky+Derby+-26.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kentucky+Derby+-26.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mule Day Outreach – Columbia, TN</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/mule-day-outreach-columbia-tn</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mule Day Outreach – Columbia, TN
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mule+Day.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Join us for a great opportunity to share the Gospel at the annual Mule Day Festival in Columbia, Tennessee. This large three-day event attracts up to 200,000 people each year, and our booth will be located near the main gate/front office, giving us excellent access to the crowds.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           &amp;#55357;&amp;#56517; Dates: April 9–11
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
            ⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM (booth staffed during these hours)
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
            &amp;#55357;&amp;#56525; Location: Columbia, Tennessee
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           &amp;#55356;&amp;#57263; Purpose
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Pass out gospel tracts, literature, and Bibles
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Share the gospel one-on-one
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Distribute free water to attendees
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           &amp;#55357;&amp;#56524; Booth Details
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Prime location near the main entrance with heavy foot traffic
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Living Waters literature and tracts will be provided (you are welcome to bring your own)
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           &amp;#55356;&amp;#57247; Entry &amp;amp; Parking
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Free parking and entry passes for up to 6 volunteers
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Otherwise, event entry is $10 per person
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           &amp;#55357;&amp;#56908; Volunteers Needed
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You can serve:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            All three days
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            One full day
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Or even part of a day
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you’re interested in joining this outreach opportunity, please contact Robert Paulsen for more information or to sign up:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:845-645-1378"&gt;&#xD;
      
           845-645-1378
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:foolishministries@gmail.com"&gt;&#xD;
      
           foolishministries@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To His glory!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mule+Day.png" length="1051475" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:06:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/mule-day-outreach-columbia-tn</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mule+Day.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mule+Day.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Richard Walker - GWP Weekly Evangelism</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/richard-walker-gwp-weekly-evangelism</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Richard Walker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           GWP Weekly Evangelism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/walker_richard"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Richard-Walker.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, March 30, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            OKC Thunder vs Detroit Pistons
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__cft__[0]=AZat8xKoptnphQFvITcJdWCkKYZKQVbbLblwLpEhAwAlsHBdOGpXXDsrFsAX_ePAfP-H60pwn63y5V3IgFsO4DuuhKgjptqsM3GYYbjlWWlTSTfly6C59dPAlNFzPJ_RnPR4BS3wD-HpiEibG90nTVd1kekyznckw8bZkzjy0BI9y5lTQac5H1UUdj-1JGKb_ubu1rmQcQL7vik8NQxoXTKL&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Friday, March 27, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I preached 2 hours at Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK (Oklahoma City Thunder vs Chicago Bulls/NBA).
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With Brother
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/r.jwalkertheatcguy?__cft__[0]=AZaUNtjIqiJY0vQ0WQmwg7NAcJr0f6cy-cXI-VFln0e4Ssa7kjjYLOrYTM24zLts7FxsNBvQffgAKmn1PkcyArAMYBsEaOp2af54qIIGll_CGQOSWHZVbkrOlJRL_pQRqZ7KsaWMwEUcRXSORxQfdbI1Q8uhlbhAgB4hZzl8ErfRXKQyyRsIzLtG3tJO9OZUrno&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Richard Walker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            (preaching) &amp;amp;
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/walkersharonlee?__cft__[0]=AZaUNtjIqiJY0vQ0WQmwg7NAcJr0f6cy-cXI-VFln0e4Ssa7kjjYLOrYTM24zLts7FxsNBvQffgAKmn1PkcyArAMYBsEaOp2af54qIIGll_CGQOSWHZVbkrOlJRL_pQRqZ7KsaWMwEUcRXSORxQfdbI1Q8uhlbhAgB4hZzl8ErfRXKQyyRsIzLtG3tJO9OZUrno&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sharon Walker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            (handing out tracts).
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." (Rom. 1:16)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, December 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thursday 1st, I spent one hour preaching at Tuttle Care Center (Senior Living Facility) Friday 2nd, I spent three hours evangelizing at the OKC Bus Station Sunday 4th, I spent one hour preaching at Tuttle Care Center (Senior Living Facility)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Richard-Walker.jpg" length="240775" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 08 Jan 2026 09:07:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/richard-walker-gwp-weekly-evangelism</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Richard-Walker.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Richard-Walker.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Dec 22-28</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-dec-22-28</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 &amp;amp; Campus Mission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith the schedule for the upcoming home game outreaches (Dec 29 - Jan 4 2026), as well as some feedback from evangelists that reached out last week (Dec 22 - 28)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Week+19+-+Bowl+Games.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+18.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week (Dec 22 - 28):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel &amp;amp; Dan Davis - Lambeau Field
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, December 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jonathan, Mike and Dan Davis
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a Saturday night game, the crowd was flat for a night game, tracking wasn't great, we got a lot of encouragement from believers in the crowd
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jerardo Ibarra - NRG Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, December 27, 2025 - Texas Bowl 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Texas Bowl 2025 evangelism outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sportsfanoutreachinternational?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZbD28gMRf5Sw0nq2IrhvdTzSpeWt0evDksED--8I_WTaWZ-WrtYf9d6QB1xf_jV2iHH6bVFl9LS31C7R5L3dSI6e6Y3ITMowhV7IYO-4YYi4WmDkUnaCB6YXnAYHaPg5LQOPlE5DlkLD9kpMGnmqpx4maTTBfEyi-PyPivr8xnJ3WwcdVEl4NI9KDeG4-mpGLA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sportsfanoutreachinternational
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZbD28gMRf5Sw0nq2IrhvdTzSpeWt0evDksED--8I_WTaWZ-WrtYf9d6QB1xf_jV2iHH6bVFl9LS31C7R5L3dSI6e6Y3ITMowhV7IYO-4YYi4WmDkUnaCB6YXnAYHaPg5LQOPlE5DlkLD9kpMGnmqpx4maTTBfEyi-PyPivr8xnJ3WwcdVEl4NI9KDeG4-mpGLA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brian Ninde - Lucas Oil Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, December 28, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Steven, Bill, Ocean, Lindsay
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel proclaimed, Tracts handed out, fellowship had, &amp;amp; God glorified.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long - Atlanta Falcons
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday, December 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A windchill factor feeling like 19 degrees blew over the masses of Falcons &amp;amp; LA Ram Fans as we distributed hundreds of Gospel tracts and proclaimed His Glorious Gospel. Great preaching on a cold windy winters night at the Falcons vs LA Rams NFL Game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Diego Sandoval - Chase Field
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friday, December 26, 2025 - Rate Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rate Bowl 26 Outreach. DWTN PHX
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Sachaczenski - Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, December 27, 2025 - Military Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Myself, John Sachaczenski, My brother in Christ Roy nembhard Also my wife, Abigail sachaczenski handed out tracks
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a fruitful time of street ministry at the Military Bowl in Annapolis today. We were also extremely blessed as the Lord held off the rain. We spent five to six hours preaching and moving to where the crowds were, and the Lord was truly with us. We were able to pray for someone in need, and it was a joy to watch Roy witness to a group of children. We left feeling blessed and thankful for the seeds planted today. We thank you Lord for your grace and protection in the name of Jesus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 02 Jan 2026 10:30:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-dec-22-28</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Dec 15-21</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-dec-15-21</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 &amp;amp; Campus Mission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith the schedule for the upcoming home game outreaches (Dec 22 - 28), as well as some feedback from evangelists that reached out last week (Dec 15 - 21)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Week+18+-+Bowl+Games.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+17.1-705b4003.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week (Dec 15 - 21):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gary Gardner - Veterans Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tuesday, December 16, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: David Day, Scott Roney, Bill Scott, and Steven Kendall
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I am honored to have completed my first SFOI event as a team leader. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to David Day, Scott Roney, Bill Scott, and Kendall for their dedication and support. &amp;#55356;&amp;#57225;&amp;#55357;&amp;#56490;&amp;#55356;&amp;#57341;&amp;#55357;&amp;#56911;&amp;#55357;&amp;#56399;&amp;#55357;&amp;#56469;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Crowley - FBC Mortgage Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wednesday, December 17, 2025 - Cure Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           USF vs Old Dominion handing out Gospel tracks and sharing the Glorious Gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rod Grubb - Boise State University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday, December 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Rodney Whitt, Mike Burns, &amp;amp; Danny Beck
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This outreach was very iffy because of the nearly constant heavy rain, the past two days. By the grace of God, the rain miraculously stopped as we began our two-hour outreach, just prior to the noon kickoff! We were blessed to hand out nearly a thousand (mostly Christmas MDB’s) tracts, collectively. In total, we enjoyed about 10 solid convos, as well. We concluded the outreach with my two (8-10 minute) open-airs that focused on the “Reason for the Season.” I read from the gospel of Luke 1:16-38 &amp;amp; 2:8-21. I was blessed to have a long line of fans, who were waiting to purchase their tickets and enter the stadium, to preach to!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Famous Idaho Potato Bowl 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6%2F&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZaQj1QvknuQVrp9w8uIDYaW_D5ze_6LFICh3_N0scR_eI2lXb-oYINEbCUln0vOZjGvOj_QPj7x0mkGBmJ6YpI6hIXWcLTr3h49puXLxKyu1Pk-8JWbpJBru5ZiZF0b6RCNGlg7CicTOKUOG_xK4QK1ZmiSYSE0LWE_bqMZiYVt4_AeIbqhD0J5Us5_IqGD_bsjA30IR-jbOQkgBELouC_g&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Outreach — Open-Air Video (12/22/2025)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “The Reason for the Season”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is the second of two open-air videos from yesterday’s Famous Idaho Potato Bowl game. Unfortunately, the audio from the first open-air game was barely audible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Both videos were fairly similar, with the exception of the scripture verses. For the first open-air, I opened with Luke 2:8-21. The second OA, I opened with Luke 1:26-38. Each video ended with the “good person” test and law-based gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6%2F&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZaQj1QvknuQVrp9w8uIDYaW_D5ze_6LFICh3_N0scR_eI2lXb-oYINEbCUln0vOZjGvOj_QPj7x0mkGBmJ6YpI6hIXWcLTr3h49puXLxKyu1Pk-8JWbpJBru5ZiZF0b6RCNGlg7CicTOKUOG_xK4QK1ZmiSYSE0LWE_bqMZiYVt4_AeIbqhD0J5Us5_IqGD_bsjA30IR-jbOQkgBELouC_g&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6%2F&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZaQj1QvknuQVrp9w8uIDYaW_D5ze_6LFICh3_N0scR_eI2lXb-oYINEbCUln0vOZjGvOj_QPj7x0mkGBmJ6YpI6hIXWcLTr3h49puXLxKyu1Pk-8JWbpJBru5ZiZF0b6RCNGlg7CicTOKUOG_xK4QK1ZmiSYSE0LWE_bqMZiYVt4_AeIbqhD0J5Us5_IqGD_bsjA30IR-jbOQkgBELouC_g&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/hashtag/sportsfanoutreachinternational?__eep__=6%2F&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZaQj1QvknuQVrp9w8uIDYaW_D5ze_6LFICh3_N0scR_eI2lXb-oYINEbCUln0vOZjGvOj_QPj7x0mkGBmJ6YpI6hIXWcLTr3h49puXLxKyu1Pk-8JWbpJBru5ZiZF0b6RCNGlg7CicTOKUOG_xK4QK1ZmiSYSE0LWE_bqMZiYVt4_AeIbqhD0J5Us5_IqGD_bsjA30IR-jbOQkgBELouC_g&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SportsFanOutreachInternational
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/hashtag/famousidahopotatobowl?__eep__=6%2F&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZaQj1QvknuQVrp9w8uIDYaW_D5ze_6LFICh3_N0scR_eI2lXb-oYINEbCUln0vOZjGvOj_QPj7x0mkGBmJ6YpI6hIXWcLTr3h49puXLxKyu1Pk-8JWbpJBru5ZiZF0b6RCNGlg7CicTOKUOG_xK4QK1ZmiSYSE0LWE_bqMZiYVt4_AeIbqhD0J5Us5_IqGD_bsjA30IR-jbOQkgBELouC_g&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #FamousIdahoPotatoBowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Robert - Caesars Superdome
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, December 21, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To the saints,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Talk about being blessed. The moment I got back into my van it started raining.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While open air preaching on being born again and adoption, a woman screamed in my ear, "Satan is god." A man yelled out, "I am Jesus Christ." Some said, "F... You." Many others, "God bless you." And one said in front of his family, "God bless you brother. I do the same thing you do." I gave him a Ten Commandment coin, and he exclaimed, "Ray Comfort."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Allstate Sugar Bowl is next on January 1st, the anniversary of the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Still fishing,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jerardo Ibarra - NRG Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, December 21, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelizing at Houston Texans home game
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sportsfanoutreachinternational?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZbRyWMXULD5ooN60hhxpQ9avhHl9DnJnYQmiLFLXgMCY1A5KlJshrn9J9V7r7JH4_pL5Gtziqfnq5XW5OwoA-T6r6pqmQOxSS5znts66e_R0SsGc9jFlxwklYETI0zsm8GZMuFuh6F75me9IE4Ixfwm6f2RVi8ZbaI5T4eXlPF-FwQSFVRwsAnq2iEPrCI1Afk&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sportsfanoutreachinternational
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZbRyWMXULD5ooN60hhxpQ9avhHl9DnJnYQmiLFLXgMCY1A5KlJshrn9J9V7r7JH4_pL5Gtziqfnq5XW5OwoA-T6r6pqmQOxSS5znts66e_R0SsGc9jFlxwklYETI0zsm8GZMuFuh6F75me9IE4Ixfwm6f2RVi8ZbaI5T4eXlPF-FwQSFVRwsAnq2iEPrCI1Afk&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brian Ninde - Lucas Oil Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday, December 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Heath, Jarren, Conlan, Kevin, Rick, Lindsay, Rob, Deb, George
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fabulous night of Cornerstone Bible Church Evangelism Outreach at Lucas Oil Stadium last night. Gospel Proclaimed, Tracts handed out, fellowship had, discipleship attained, and preached the True Meaning of Christmas…Jesus Christ!!! “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” -‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 02 Jan 2026 10:15:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-dec-15-21</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Dec 8-14</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-dec-8-14</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 &amp;amp; Campus Mission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith the schedule for the upcoming home game outreaches (Dec 15 - 21), as well as some feedback from evangelists that reached out last week (Dec 8 - 14)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Week+17+-+Bowl+Games.1-e42d8509.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+16.1-061a3dba.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week (Dec 8 - 14):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt - Sanford Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, December 13, 2025 - Celebration Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jamie Smith and Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Celebration Bowl evangelism team! My good friend, Brother in Christ and faithful preacher of the Gospel, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/stirling.long.5?__cft__[0]=AZZj62s-Ty4SX3RwrGaGCUW0qwZQrlDM6eEw2m4j4GQryGWqmK3nIsi1SnjICQHMd4JWPoR3f-ugLi5uitXlpLs5z45ChksKT99mfEmPR6SAWJBbhngxZe_cBS3QQk-m5JkAxj7pMLk_WwO0aO4aeuLK&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            today at the Cricket Celebration Bowl in Atlanta. Had a great day preaching Christ with these brothers in the streets of Atlanta. I'm truly blessed to have so many godly men in my life! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SOLI DEO GLORIA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZbwQBop4qiU3PYN0Ey7Ad7Z5CIJF4mYZ23C_g0Ksg3jp2g0uVkTjTye8r-k3h-ZbJsG2R13UPDfEfknHzbFTMvI3n5odInkh9-chU53BUIJ0H6LLjeAUHl3HCccTJybMmXhi6B6zlZo-c522buDxLOk&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/celebrationbowl?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZbwQBop4qiU3PYN0Ey7Ad7Z5CIJF4mYZ23C_g0Ksg3jp2g0uVkTjTye8r-k3h-ZbJsG2R13UPDfEfknHzbFTMvI3n5odInkh9-chU53BUIJ0H6LLjeAUHl3HCccTJybMmXhi6B6zlZo-c522buDxLOk&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #CelebrationBowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/mercedesbenzstadium?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZbwQBop4qiU3PYN0Ey7Ad7Z5CIJF4mYZ23C_g0Ksg3jp2g0uVkTjTye8r-k3h-ZbJsG2R13UPDfEfknHzbFTMvI3n5odInkh9-chU53BUIJ0H6LLjeAUHl3HCccTJybMmXhi6B6zlZo-c522buDxLOk&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #mercedesbenzstadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/collegefootball?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZbwQBop4qiU3PYN0Ey7Ad7Z5CIJF4mYZ23C_g0Ksg3jp2g0uVkTjTye8r-k3h-ZbJsG2R13UPDfEfknHzbFTMvI3n5odInkh9-chU53BUIJ0H6LLjeAUHl3HCccTJybMmXhi6B6zlZo-c522buDxLOk&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #collegefootball
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Roy Nembhard - Lincoln Financial Field
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Due to a snowstorm that blanketed our region, I did not arrive at the stadium until after the halftime mark, during which I spent an hour preaching and handing out tracts to fans that actually started leaving the stadium. In the early part of the third quarter, due to the excessively cold temperatures, overall, the outreach was successful
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Roy+Nembhard+-+SFOI1000.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Robert - Caesars Superdome
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, December 14, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To the saints,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prior to any event I pray to be delivered from spiritual warfare. It is so easy just to stay home, especially when I go to these events alone. But, it is always in my prayers the following thought, "Is it worth it for one?" Of course the obvious answer is a resounding YES. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prior to the Saints game we were located on the divided highway on Loyola. The fans pass in front of us waiting for the traffic light to turn, having a trapped audience to preach to. 100 bibles were distributed along with a few gospel tracts. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A photographer came by asking to take pictures. Giancarlo stayed about an hour and a half filming the crowds, all the time hearing the gospel preached. He commented, "I have never heard such hatred as what was yelled at you, and it didn't seem to faze you." 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All that was being preached was the Law and Grace, repentance, faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Giancarlo didn't realize it, but this message was primarily for HIS ears. We talked prior to him leaving and he said that we gave him a lot to think about. Please pray for his salvation, as well as those who were gnashing their teeth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is it worth it for one? Absolutely. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Still fishing,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew Cochran - Arcisure Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday, December 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Kevin and Marco
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was the coldest day of outreach all season for a Steeler game yet, for the first time, I had two other evangelists join me, and we probably handed out about 80 gospel tracks maybe less, but we were able to preach from Colossians chapter 1, John chapter 3, and Luke 15. We had a few interactions. It was a good day of ministry despite the cold.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out to Campus past week
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Dec 8 - 14):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Uni. North Carolina &amp;amp; NC State Uni.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tuesday, December 09, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as this is the last day at NC State, as the students are in finals. It has been a great semester and many lives have been touched with the gospel. PTL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 02 Jan 2026 09:58:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-dec-8-14</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Dec 1-7</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-dec-1-7</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 &amp;amp; Campus Mission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith the schedule for the upcoming home game outreaches (Dec 8 - 14), as well as some feedback from evangelists that reached out last week (Dec 1 - 7)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Week+16+-+Bowl+Games.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+15.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week (Dec 1 - 7):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt - Sanford Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, December 06, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jamie Smith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel preaching and Gospel conversation. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jamie.n.smith.77?__cft__[0]=AZVf2SeD4rqryl6NiMjsAm18WvrliuB5yrIQQCJtl7MLQ_D-FX4lbO5qtUVuXoKUVrbUi6-y6t-cUeaotlFv8h1Rw1eeoD9XmXJztdThX_PbIxhXIgF6qg-ok7R-aHmUUgmTylcNTCkIZU8zJiTYaK5qg6ajOAVV9Ag3pXAqXnTn05mZksxAyjI5sLYtGacY_rg&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jamie N Smith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVf2SeD4rqryl6NiMjsAm18WvrliuB5yrIQQCJtl7MLQ_D-FX4lbO5qtUVuXoKUVrbUi6-y6t-cUeaotlFv8h1Rw1eeoD9XmXJztdThX_PbIxhXIgF6qg-ok7R-aHmUUgmTylcNTCkIZU8zJiTYaK5qg6ajOAVV9Ag3pXAqXnTn05mZksxAyjI5sLYtGacY_rg&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/ugafootball?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVf2SeD4rqryl6NiMjsAm18WvrliuB5yrIQQCJtl7MLQ_D-FX4lbO5qtUVuXoKUVrbUi6-y6t-cUeaotlFv8h1Rw1eeoD9XmXJztdThX_PbIxhXIgF6qg-ok7R-aHmUUgmTylcNTCkIZU8zJiTYaK5qg6ajOAVV9Ag3pXAqXnTn05mZksxAyjI5sLYtGacY_rg&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #ugafootball
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/bamafootball?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVf2SeD4rqryl6NiMjsAm18WvrliuB5yrIQQCJtl7MLQ_D-FX4lbO5qtUVuXoKUVrbUi6-y6t-cUeaotlFv8h1Rw1eeoD9XmXJztdThX_PbIxhXIgF6qg-ok7R-aHmUUgmTylcNTCkIZU8zJiTYaK5qg6ajOAVV9Ag3pXAqXnTn05mZksxAyjI5sLYtGacY_rg&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #BamaFootball
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/seccham?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVf2SeD4rqryl6NiMjsAm18WvrliuB5yrIQQCJtl7MLQ_D-FX4lbO5qtUVuXoKUVrbUi6-y6t-cUeaotlFv8h1Rw1eeoD9XmXJztdThX_PbIxhXIgF6qg-ok7R-aHmUUgmTylcNTCkIZU8zJiTYaK5qg6ajOAVV9Ag3pXAqXnTn05mZksxAyjI5sLYtGacY_rg&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #seccham
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long - Atlanta Falcons
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, December 07, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Doug Renz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Doug Renz - Open Air Preaching on this chilly and foggy Sunday Morning at today’s NFL Football Game as the Atlanta Falcons take on the Seattle Seahawks. Open Air Preaching at the Falcons vs Seahawks this Sunday morning where masses were exposed to the Gospel-The Good News of Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out to Campus past week
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Dec 1 - 7):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Uni. North Carolina &amp;amp; NC State Uni.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday, December 01, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we Proclaim Jesus at UNC this afternoon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tuesday, December 02, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we exalt Jesus Christ on the campus of NC State this afternoon. Today is their last day of classes this semester.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 02 Jan 2026 09:41:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-dec-1-7</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Chuck Peters</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/chuck-peters</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Chuck Peters
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           LA Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/peters_chuck"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Chuck+Peters+-+LA+Bowl-872b7f8a.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, December 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: Gerry Collins
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Chuck+Peters+-+LA+Bowl-872b7f8a.png" length="2097395" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 19 Dec 2025 10:25:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/chuck-peters</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Chuck+Peters+-+LA+Bowl-872b7f8a.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Chuck+Peters+-+LA+Bowl-872b7f8a.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Gary Gardner</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/gary-gardner</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Gary Gardner
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Veterans Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/gardner_gary"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gary+Gardner+-+Veterans+Bowl-52a7937b.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: David Day, Scott Roney, Bill Scott, and Steven Kendall
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          I am honored to have completed my first SFOI event as a team leader. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to David Day, Scott Roney, Bill Scott, and Kendall for their dedication and support. &amp;#55356;&amp;#57225;&amp;#55357;&amp;#56490;&amp;#55356;&amp;#57341;&amp;#55357;&amp;#56911;&amp;#55357;&amp;#56399;&amp;#55357;&amp;#56469;
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gary+Gardner+Sr.+-+1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gary+Gardner+Sr.+-+6.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gary+Gardner+Sr.+-+7.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gary+Gardner+Sr.+-+2.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gary+Gardner+Sr.+-+3.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gary+Gardner+Sr.+-+4.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gary+Gardner+Sr.+-+5.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gary+Gardner+Sr.+-+8.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gary+Gardner+-+Veterans+Bowl-52a7937b.png" length="1831221" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 19 Dec 2025 10:10:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/gary-gardner</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gary+Gardner+-+Veterans+Bowl-52a7937b.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gary+Gardner+-+Veterans+Bowl-52a7937b.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Doug Renz</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-doug-renz-1</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Doug Renz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           State Farm Arena
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/renz_doug"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Doug+Renz+-+Atlanta+Hawks.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Doug's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Doug+Renz+-+Atlanta+Hawks.png" length="1173054" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Dec 2025 14:09:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-doug-renz-1</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Doug+Renz+-+Atlanta+Hawks.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Doug+Renz+-+Atlanta+Hawks.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Nov 24-30</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-nov-24-30</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 &amp;amp; Campus Mission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith the schedule for the upcoming home game outreaches (Dec 1 - 7), as well as some feedback from evangelists that reached out last week (Nov 24 - 30)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+15.1-07556984.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+14.1-10ec8d6c.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week (Nov 24 - 30):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Roy Nembhard - Lincoln Financial Field
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friday, November 28, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friday's outreach went extremely well. We preached to the fans in front of Citizens Bank Park who were on their way to Lincoln Financial Field, that is directly across the street from the stadium. We also handed out a few hundred tracts, and were able to pray for a few of the fans as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Richard Walker - Memorial Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great outreach with three Gospel presentations, much preaching and dozens of tracts passed out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rick Garland - LA Memorial Coliseum
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was the hometown rivalry with UCLA. Crowds of over 100,000 heard the preaching. We had some good conversations, especially with a believer asking about why we do what we do. A few thousand tracts went out and the Gospel was heard by many more.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Day - Auburn University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord is kind. He saves us that we might bring Him glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXLGHb6yVlZKInE5nx2fRAd8jvZX_M8FdYeZhm3GifjSQSl2VWYh3cQPakqG1mu5WRrl3-Z6G5qIUDl4WrrgoS3TlhdCIsl6gDPAN8ShM1Cr6AAVOQJTp0YVqc_TT4NcM5T59E8DpJnNjohftMwZrdWnCWvg5rMva5NnrK0lL1rr-b82qYIf7PuwhrBiOI7iag&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #Sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/jesusislord?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXLGHb6yVlZKInE5nx2fRAd8jvZX_M8FdYeZhm3GifjSQSl2VWYh3cQPakqG1mu5WRrl3-Z6G5qIUDl4WrrgoS3TlhdCIsl6gDPAN8ShM1Cr6AAVOQJTp0YVqc_TT4NcM5T59E8DpJnNjohftMwZrdWnCWvg5rMva5NnrK0lL1rr-b82qYIf7PuwhrBiOI7iag&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #JesusIsLord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Carter Finley Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There was a big crowd for this rivalry game. Lots of tracts went out. Preaching to crowds at three locations. Prayed for a young man dealing with addiction.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brian Ninde - Lucas Oil Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, November 30, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is nothing more important than where you will spend Eternity. The Lord God made a way for everyone to come to him for Salvation- that way is through the work of Jesus Christ on Calvary. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and you will be saved. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pat Hegarty - Canvas Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friday, November 28, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was the last outreach to the CSU Ram Football Fans of 2025. The weather was warm for November here in Colorado and the crowd was a good size, even though the Rams have had a difficult year in terms of wins and losses. We handed out over 400 of the "Are you a good person?" cartoon-style tracts and were able to preach for about an hour and 45 minutes. Please pray for all those who heard the Word and those who received the message in written form in 2025. God Bless!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nick O'Berry - Williams-Brice Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           South Carolina's last game of the season did not disappoint. Thousands of fans showed up, and the crowd was a little more raucous. More of everybody were there-- families, young people, college students. But with two of us out there, we were able to cover more ground and more time. Praise God for a great season of proclaiming the gospel at Williams-Brice Stadium this year.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out to Campus past week
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Nov 24 - 30):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Uni. North Carolina &amp;amp; NC State Uni.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday, November 24, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we exalt Jesus Christ on the campus of UNC today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tuesday, November 25, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the folks at NC State this afternoon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Sun, 07 Dec 2025 15:42:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-nov-24-30</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bowl games without Evangelists</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/bowl-games-without-evangelists</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bowl Games without Evangelists
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bowl+Season.jpeg"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dear Friends - there are 16 Bowl Games without an evangelist.  Can you preach Christ and Him crucified at one  of the games or refer someone you know who can?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            See the list: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/files/uploaded/Bowl+GAmes+2025-26+Without+Evangelist.pdf" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           16 Bowl games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Call if you can:  423-458-1333.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bowl+Season.jpeg" length="282008" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 06 Dec 2025 15:07:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/bowl-games-without-evangelists</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bowl+Season.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bowl+Season.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Nov 17-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-nov-17-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 &amp;amp; Campus Mission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith the schedule for the upcoming home game outreaches (Nov 24 - 30), as well as some feedback from evangelists that reached out last week (Nov 17 - 23)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+14.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+14.2.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+14.3.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+13.1-b4480963.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week (Nov 17 - 23):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Day - Auburn University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord is kind. Today, He showed His faithfulness again by raising up another laborer from our own local congregation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kendall came with us to Auburn, and by God’s grace, he lifted his voice in the open air for the very first time. His two young sons stood beside hi,m passing out gospel tracts with joy, smiling at every soul who passed, and one of them even reading the Scriptures aloud with childlike boldness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a glimpse of God’s mercy, a reminder that He is still calling workers into His harvest.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amazed, truly amazed at the Lord’s kindness to all of us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXLGHb6yVlZKInE5nx2fRAd8jvZX_M8FdYeZhm3GifjSQSl2VWYh3cQPakqG1mu5WRrl3-Z6G5qIUDl4WrrgoS3TlhdCIsl6gDPAN8ShM1Cr6AAVOQJTp0YVqc_TT4NcM5T59E8DpJnNjohftMwZrdWnCWvg5rMva5NnrK0lL1rr-b82qYIf7PuwhrBiOI7iag&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #Sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/jesusislord?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXLGHb6yVlZKInE5nx2fRAd8jvZX_M8FdYeZhm3GifjSQSl2VWYh3cQPakqG1mu5WRrl3-Z6G5qIUDl4WrrgoS3TlhdCIsl6gDPAN8ShM1Cr6AAVOQJTp0YVqc_TT4NcM5T59E8DpJnNjohftMwZrdWnCWvg5rMva5NnrK0lL1rr-b82qYIf7PuwhrBiOI7iag&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #JesusIsLord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark Murnan - FAU Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Small crowds to see UConn v. FAU, but a steady stream of people with some good interactions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Crowley - FBC Mortgage Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Last game of year for UCF preaching at handing out tracts 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/paul.rosbury.3?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul Rosbury
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/globalnetworkofevangelists?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Global Network of Evangelists
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ron.cohen.5891004?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ron Neumann
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/myrue.l.spivey?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Myrue L Spivey
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jsrucci?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Steve Rucci
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/lwwotm?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Living Waters
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jcbarros?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Barros
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Ligonier?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ligonier Ministries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sportsfanoutreach?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/mts.comp?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mts Comp
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/WretchedNetwork?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wretched
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1581725508722910/?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelism Group
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ericneedle?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eric Needle
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Antioch Community Church Orlando 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/stevepsanchez?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Steve P. Sanchez
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/emeal.zwayne?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Emeal EZ Zwayne
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/www.operationsaveamerica.org?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Operation Save America
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jerry.fanshaw.7?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jerry Fanshaw
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/shanebrownministry?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Shane Brown
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/lori.sweetbrown?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lori Brown
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jay.edward.758?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Justin Arjuna Edwards
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jeff.durbin.7?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeff Durbin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jerry Goff 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072374030928&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Go Stand Speak Ministries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1524690164444610/?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           EVANGELISM
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572283787963&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sweet Water Fellowship
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/streetevangelismtampabay?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Street Evangelism Tampabay
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/matthew.redondo?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew Redondo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/anne.marchetti.3?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Anne Marchetti
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doug Renz - Bobby Dodd Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3 hours of preaching and gospel tracts. Fall football at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta brought thousands of fans across our path where preaching the Gospel drew many over for great conversations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt - Sanford Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We preached for 3 hours in this order. Jamie, Anthony, Scott, Rich and Alex. We had a conversation with a college age man who was struggling with doubt. He was raised catholic and was struggling because he had committed a grievous sin and had not confessed it to his priest. I think he had talked to all of the guys while I was preaching and then I spoke with him. He confessed to me and said he had not told anyone else what this sin was. (wasn't murder or rape, by the way) I tried to assure him that he did not need to confess to a priest but to God. We talked for a while and I shared Scripture with him. He gave me a hug before going on his way. I gave him a Gospel tract and told him to message me and we could stay in touch. I have not heard from him at this time. Gospel preaching still leads to Gospel conversations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grayson Shaw - Allen E. Paulson Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The crowds were slimmer than normal for the 1 PM kickoff. We set up in our usual spot and after a few minutes, Wesley scouted for another location with good foot traffic, and once he found one, Bailey and Daniel accompanied him. The interactions were pretty low compared to past outreaches, but Daniel had a good conversation with some believers, and Grayson spoke to two middle school aged kids who had their hope in Christ and encouraged them to keep the faith. Jim and Grayson Shaw preached and others held signs and passed out tracts. It has been a fruitful season outside of Paulson Stadium.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Robert - Caesars Superdome
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, November 23, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Distributed were 100 copies of Our Daily Bread booklets and about 25 copies of the gospel tracts Ye Must Be Born Again.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Part of my sermon on being born again: "If you are not born again, you are not a child of God. If you are not a child of God, by default, you are a child of Satan. If you are a child of Satan, on the day you die and Jesus Christ sends you to hell, you will wish you had never been born in the first place."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This caused a lot of anger.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 1st person I talked with was a disturbed man sitting on a curbstone in his underwear. He cussed me out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 2nd person had a cross around his neck. He had NO idea what a Christian was.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another man shouted that there is no god.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A woman shouted, "You can go to hell, preaching on the street corner."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Several people said, "God bless you."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Man shouted: "You're wrong."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Me: "No I'm not."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Woman to man: "Shut up and listen to him."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A man took a selfie with me. He said, "Thank you and God bless you brother."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Still fishing for men,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Robert
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tom Brewer - Tiger Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was the last home game for the season and a non-SEC opponent, Western Kentucky University. We set up at the railroad tracks on Skip Bertman Drive. Jack led off on the mic by reading. I followed up with preaching from Exodus and Acts 7, John 3, Psalm 2, and a series of passages on justification by faith. A lot of tracts were passed out at the tracks. Lord willing we plan to be out there again next year.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Carter Finley Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friday, November 21, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a small team of two men, as some men went elsewhere and some could not for various reasons. We proclaimed the gospel for three hours and passed out lots of tracts. We were blessed with a number of conversations and prayed with some people. A lot of believers going to the game thanked us for being there
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Michael Coughlin - Ohio State University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We preached for 2 and a half hours and covered both sides of Lane Avenue with tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Richard Walker - Memorial Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great interaction with hundreds of fans (maybe thousands)! Dozens of Bible tracts were passed out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mason Goodknight &amp;amp; Ryan Clark - Jones AT&amp;amp;T Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6%2F&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXj4PAqmZaqsaoaKyaw_-1B93FYObTSR93KRjW47OjWlO2yHOUv6-BLBl-0WjCHg0feDGqttM50-ncdfwGFWUP5Au0mft_8-i9GMNtFPJgJ81U7xUI0MtaqPqaTgMcyvYeJjj9tc7WrXUcCIFpcl4lJL2PJAJa5PfnFtRFQdkZlFM-TvYVLiWv7Zek7zEO48Uy5jt9EOjaK6vtK2h0wyDTu&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReformedBaptistChurchofDC?__cft__[0]=AZXj4PAqmZaqsaoaKyaw_-1B93FYObTSR93KRjW47OjWlO2yHOUv6-BLBl-0WjCHg0feDGqttM50-ncdfwGFWUP5Au0mft_8-i9GMNtFPJgJ81U7xUI0MtaqPqaTgMcyvYeJjj9tc7WrXUcCIFpcl4lJL2PJAJa5PfnFtRFQdkZlFM-TvYVLiWv7Zek7zEO48Uy5jt9EOjaK6vtK2h0wyDTu&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reformed Baptist Church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Outreach to the U of O Ducks Game
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nick O'Berry - Williams-Brice Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday was a gorgeous day to be outside preaching the Gospel. Brother Ken White was with me. South Carolina fans did not disappoint. They showed up by the thousands, and they heard the gospel. One who stopped to listen said he had a better understanding of the atonement. He seemed to be someone God is dealing with, maybe on the cusp of belief. Another stopped to listen and to give encouragement, as he was a believer. Ken preached and ministered to a group of young men who were professing believers but still walked in their sin. Our prayer is that God will use these encounters to work faith and salvation into their lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out to Campus past week
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Nov 17 - 23):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Uni. North Carolina &amp;amp; NC State Uni.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Monday, November 17, 2025
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the gospel to the students that UNC this afternoon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tuesday, November 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as the gospel is proclaimed at NC State this afternoon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson - University of Utah
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tuesday, November 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           During our outreach today at UVU we're passing out invites to an online anonymous b Bible study. Pray this and our efforts today would bare fruit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZUV_RfysBmJf0Xo26BWdVvPB0D7SygY-DHO-b6BBcwVMLZywk-V7YYWGlDuub02jhuhVowSbtCc5edR7vs3MB-gn2B6yYEpVDO4qxOzecaVA3aNdLO-vAWjEW3vQcmRqnYMQ4eFlN-VhoGvzTflO6BFqDlWD4eobLOtOUEdIsGxl30cIxHHXPRNanRd_xa_sWs&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Advancingthegospelofficial?__cft__[0]=AZUV_RfysBmJf0Xo26BWdVvPB0D7SygY-DHO-b6BBcwVMLZywk-V7YYWGlDuub02jhuhVowSbtCc5edR7vs3MB-gn2B6yYEpVDO4qxOzecaVA3aNdLO-vAWjEW3vQcmRqnYMQ4eFlN-VhoGvzTflO6BFqDlWD4eobLOtOUEdIsGxl30cIxHHXPRNanRd_xa_sWs&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advancingthegospelofficial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus+-+1-0c7f6966.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wednesday, November 19, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We're at U of U today. Prayers appreciated. So far, we have had a brief conversation with a guy who holds to baptismal regeneration. Pray for him; his name is Jordan.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus+-+2-ee04c3aa.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thursday, November 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I'm at UVU today. Prayers appreciated for fruitful ministry. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZXq-eAglSby1CgKhiLqoAybW-KVA4EKB74DcxIPbhfpWpjdEbGvJiiIWx2KBfGEPdlDVD9qiN4TRNZITeOvdc8Xfyb-63vElbr75G8lvrvn8nFw6ca__HyRM_dmPXG2XTb_QsdeozcnKC2poUNRyM3f&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Advancingthegospelofficial?__cft__[0]=AZXq-eAglSby1CgKhiLqoAybW-KVA4EKB74DcxIPbhfpWpjdEbGvJiiIWx2KBfGEPdlDVD9qiN4TRNZITeOvdc8Xfyb-63vElbr75G8lvrvn8nFw6ca__HyRM_dmPXG2XTb_QsdeozcnKC2poUNRyM3f&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advancingthegospelofficial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus+-+3-4e5bc8c9.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Frank Rollberg - University of North Alabama
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wednesday, November 19, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was the tract of the day at UNA Campus this morning. Passed out over a hundred and had a couple of good conversations. Young man named Drew he was a Christian wanting to go into ministry and was having some struggles in his life. I was able to pray for him. Then there was a older Korean lady that was encouraged I was there and spoke with me for several minutes. No King but Christ!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Nov 2025 06:31:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-nov-17-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Nov 10-16</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-nov-10-16</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 &amp;amp; Campus Mission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith the schedule for the upcoming home game outreaches (Nov 17 - 23), as well as some feedback from evangelists that reached out last week (Nov 10 - 16)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+13.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+13.2.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+13.3.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+12.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week (Nov 10 - 16):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt - Sanford Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jamie.n.smith.77?__cft__[0]=AZVPRyglMoyKQq8-nV24WhS550CKqjUTFTIIdUcMlnmhLZiddNXNqdGpjnfDZsPzne1V90tBpiiOP48R0INh69kknNwKHv-cWHPzcWvdEawFEVi8tiZlcWmKTX5mvIii2gt3TarErVVzR9pvnMty4oehNUhmxjyQhWSvTqkIu3O3CeQWFJKqI1x_lA9NvHpuz3s&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jamie N Smith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            leads off today. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVPRyglMoyKQq8-nV24WhS550CKqjUTFTIIdUcMlnmhLZiddNXNqdGpjnfDZsPzne1V90tBpiiOP48R0INh69kknNwKHv-cWHPzcWvdEawFEVi8tiZlcWmKTX5mvIii2gt3TarErVVzR9pvnMty4oehNUhmxjyQhWSvTqkIu3O3CeQWFJKqI1x_lA9NvHpuz3s&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson - LaVell Edwards Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great outreach. The weather was cool but pleasant. The game was well attended. Many thousands were offered the gospel. We ended up having several conversations as people drew near to the preaching. At one point I had 6 LDS college students surround me and were asking questions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rick Garland - LA Memorial Coliseum
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rained all day, but huge crowds still showed up and we had complete freedom to preach without interference.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grayson Shaw - Allen E. Paulson Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The crowds were thinner than usual and there was a lot of apathy as we did our outreach on Saturday. We still were in our usual spot and had a good number of people pass by as we passed out gospel tracts and John and Grayson Shaw preached. Tom Kollars brought his trombone and played hymns and interacted with many people. We had a few conversations, including with a young man named Alex who had his hope for his eternity in not having committed sins that have hurt anyone. We directed him to Jesus’ message of repentance and belief. Pray for Alex to consider justice, and how he needs to be made right with God through Christ’s blood.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew Cochran - Arcisure Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, November 16, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preached from 1 cor 15 and Luke 15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tom Brewer - Tiger Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/zoewhite8?__cft__[0]=AZVP1TuMfJj3c2R8JjOn5Dw9iVl9Vp4f3lukMWMK-axGLu8EZUxvkQuzbB7gRSWw0_REqKsWMknO8ryMrqqsKm103JinDwzSAAGzT-M55TXeYg&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zoe White
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            proclaiming the gospel at LSU vs ARK
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Parsons - Bryant-Denny Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Al preached for a few hours. He had one young man watch him preach the entire time and shared a good conversation with him afterwards. The young man had apparently been converted through open-air preaching a few years beforehand.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Roy Nembhard - Lincoln Financial Field
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, November 16, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Last night's outreach was a success. I actually ended up doing the outreach alone by the grace of God. The brother that initially offered to go had to cancel at the Last minute,but I decided ito go on with business as usual. As many got a chance to hear the Gospel as I preached mostly on Solomon searching out the real value and purpose on pleasures and riches that will end up leaving us empty,as only Gods presence can. Ring us eternal fulfillment. I had quite a few people come up to me saying they remembered me from past games. I was able to interact with and pray for about 5 young men who acknowledged they were struggling with their lifestyle choices and wanted to serve the Lord. I spent about 4 hrs total between preaching handing out tracts and praying for those that requested or agreed to be prayed for.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Michael Coughlin - Ohio State University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Passed out a few hundred tracts and was able to encourage a Christian brother who is out of close fellowship with Jesus, but sincere about wanting to get back where he should be with Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out to Campus past week
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Nov 10 - 16):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Uni. North Carolina &amp;amp; NC State Uni.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday, November 10, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we are back, exalting Jesus Christ at UNC today. Blessed with great gospel conversations today at UNC.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tuesday, November 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for students To respond to the gospel message today at NC State
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson - University of Utah
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tuesday, November 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here at UVU. Prayers appreciated for our outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus+-+1-e767e57d.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thursday, November 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not feeling well today. Nothing contagious. I'm at UVU for the next few hours for outreach. I could really use some prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus+-+2-05489dcc.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brad Madewell - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thursday, November 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thankful to preach Christ today at UTC college in Chattanooga TN, with brother Gene Bottoms. Thanks for the prayers. Over 100 Göspel tracts were taken. There were some interactions, encouragement, flipped off, and told by a student to get off this campus. The Göspel sheds light into darkness, namely, Jesus the light of the world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 13:20:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-nov-10-16</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Keep Your Finger in the Text - 11/18/25</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-11-18-25</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFITT Live Report 11/18/25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Keep Your Finger in the Text:  Opportunities to get built up as a faithful gospel minister.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Providing encouragement and exhortation to gospel ministers preaching in the open air."
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Talking Points for 11/18/25:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel’s latest "Keep Your Finger in the Text" live report focuses on equipping gospel ministers for faithful open-air preaching of God’s Word. He shares personal ministry updates, including a Veterans Day presentation at a Christian school and participation in workshops to hone his preaching skills.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath highlights two key ministry opportunities: the Monday night "Taking Reps" study group working through Psalm 50 with plans to begin Proverbs 1–7 in December, and ongoing "Preaching That Demands a Response" workshops held Monday mornings and Tuesday evenings to help preachers develop sermons that are clear, purposeful, and responsive to listeners.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He details the 2026 George Whitfield Program Fellowship Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee (June 15–19), a pivotal event for gospel ministers to grow, plan, and sharpen ministry skills through workshops, preaching sessions with feedback, fellowship, and teaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath emphasizes the importance of simplicity and clarity in preaching, referencing J.C. Ryle’s book "Simplicity in Preaching," urging ministers to communicate biblical truths in everyday language without being condescending or vulgar, and ensuring sermons are understandable to all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He offers one-on-one mentoring and sermon feedback for preachers who desire to improve and invites ministers to contact him for personalized support or to coordinate workshops locally or online.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Finally, Heath promotes the George Whitfield Preaching Academy, a two-year certificate program designed for those serious about expository open-air preaching, combining workshops, discussion, sermon assignments, and evaluations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He closes by encouraging continued dedication to preaching God’s Word faithfully and clearly for the glory of Christ, whether in workshops, Taking Reps, SFOI events, or local ministry contexts, inviting prayer and support for ongoing ministry efforts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For more details and to join the program visit:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg" length="98800" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:51:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-11-18-25</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Keep Your Finger in the Text - 11/06/25</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-11-06-25</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFITT Live Report 11/06/25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Keep Your Finger in the Text:  Opportunities to get built up as a faithful gospel minister.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Providing encouragement and exhortation to gospel ministers preaching in the open air."
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Talking Points for 11/06/25:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel’s "Keep Your Finger in the Text" live report provides practical guidance and encouragement for open-air preachers, focusing on how to grow as effective gospel ministers. He strongly emphasizes the importance of prayer, discernment, and regular opportunities for skills development, highlighting recent workshops and mentorship options. Heath promotes "Taking Reps," a Monday night study group where participants collaboratively interpret biblical passages (currently working through Psalm 50), create sermon outlines, and sharpen their preaching with peer feedback.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He also details the ongoing “Preaching That Demands a Response” fall workshop (Monday mornings and Tuesday evenings), which blends biblical conviction with classical rhetoric to help preachers deliver sermons that move hearers to respond and apply the truth. Heath urges ministers to hone their craft by mastering sermon clarity, flow, balance, digestibility, and appropriate tone, and he encourages recording and re-watching sermons for honest self-evaluation and improvement.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Looking ahead, he previews the 2026 George Whitfield Summer Fellowship Conference in Chattanooga, TN (June 15–19), which will offer focused ministry tracks, practical workshops, times of prayer, and networking. The George Whitfield Preaching Academy, a two-year certificate program, also remains available for those seeking structured training and feedback in expository preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath offers one-on-one mentoring, guidance on using Bible software, and advice for integrating sermon preparation tools on a budget. He encourages feedback, ongoing learning, and humility as key attitudes for lasting ministry growth. The live report closes with invitations to connect, join workshops, and make use of resources and opportunities to become more faithful and effective open-air gospel ministers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For more details and to join the program visit:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg" length="98800" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:48:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-11-06-25</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>What's New This Week, Nov 10 - 16, at SFOI.org?</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/what-s-new-this-week-nov-10-16-at-sfoi-org</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Videos of the Week Nov 10 to 16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Update: 11-10-25 "evangelism and all ministry very simple &amp;amp; repetitive"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill’s November 10, 2025 update warmly greets listeners, sharing excitement for the coming Great Cup event in Winnipeg, Canada, which draws half a million people and promises fruitful outreach opportunities. He reviews past Canadian football games ministered at, highlighting growing audience engagement and sports popularity in Canada. Bill encourages evangelists to join the season’s extensive outreach efforts at multiple sporting venues across the U.S., including ongoing NFL, NBA, NHL, college football games, and Major League Soccer matches, mentioning specific cities and dates to help listeners plan participation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He stresses the simplicity and repetitive nature of evangelism: preaching the Word, calling sinners to faith, and ministering to those who respond are the core elements whether preaching in public or pastoring a congregation. Bill emphasizes consistent presence and relational ministry as keys to effectiveness and spiritual growth for evangelists, urging believers to be persistent, practice regularly, and not worry about perfection initially.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill also outlines his vision to expand outreach nation-wide with at least one major event in every U.S. state and multiple events in larger states like Kentucky, Florida, and North Carolina. He invites listeners to recommend big events or festivals in their areas for inclusion on the SFOI calendar. He encourages buying and distributing gospel tracks as a vital mobile ministry tool and calls for generosity in supporting these outreach materials.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Overall, the message motivates believers to get involved, collaborate with other evangelists, and faithfully proclaim the gospel through repetitive, simple ministry acts, viewing evangelism as a relational process powered by prayer and the Spirit. Detailed event schedules and links are provided to facilitate engagement and coordination.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach International - Grey Cup ministry location Day 3.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill’s live update from Winnipeg, Canada, shares lively scenes from the Grey Cup street festival outreach, with preachers and gospel workers engaging fans despite the cold weather. He encourages those not preaching during the weekend to find a local place to share the gospel and join in ministry. Bill emphasizes the heart of evangelism: preaching so sinners hear the powerful message of Jesus Christ’s salvation, offering forgiveness, reconciliation, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. He highlights the importance of prayer for both the salvation of lost souls and the encouragement of Christians in the crowd.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill provides a biblical reflection on the encounter between Jesus and Nicodemus, explaining the necessity of being “born again” through water and the Spirit to see God’s kingdom, a spiritual rebirth that reorients life toward God. The message encourages listeners in all ages and stages, offering hope for those who may feel they need to “catch up” spiritually.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He also gives viewers a visual tour of the festival area, showcasing local vendors, food trucks, and outreach efforts, and reports conversations with attendees from various backgrounds including a man from South Africa. Despite sin’s reality and mankind’s fall short of God’s perfect standard, Bill points to Jesus Christ as the Redeemer who lived a perfect life, died for sin, and offers full forgiveness to all who trust Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A time of worship is shared through the song “Hallelujah, What a Savior,” celebrating Christ’s atoning work and reigning glory, inviting listeners to know and trust Jesus. The update closes with heartfelt encouragement, appreciation for faithful ministry partners, and an invitation to join in ongoing gospel proclamation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach International - Grey Cup Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill’s message explores the profound biblical truth that true freedom is found in walking according to God’s statutes and commandments, rather than pursuing a mistaken autonomy apart from God. He teaches that sin creates an illusion of freedom, but in reality, it enslaves and destroys, much like a slow poison. Bill describes how many people see God’s law as bondage and resist it, but Scripture shows that obedience to God actually leads to life and freedom.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He warns against the folly of self-sufficiency, emphasizing that everything we have and are is sustained by God’s will. The message challenges listeners to recognize their shared responsibility in the world’s brokenness due to sin, urging personal reflection and repentance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill points to Jesus Christ as the only perfect solution, the one who lived in perfect harmony with the Father and offers righteousness we cannot achieve on our own. He calls for humility before God’s law, recognizing that the Ten Commandments reveal our sinfulness and need for God’s grace. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, making His law a mercy as it exposes our shortcomings and drives us to Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Overall, the message calls to forsake self-reliance, embrace God’s truth in Scripture, and receive the gospel’s power to be truly free in Christ, living a life marked by obedience, humility, and grace. This teaching is a deep exhortation to genuine repentance and wholehearted commitment to God’s covenant order as the path to authentic life and freedom.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 07:33:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/what-s-new-this-week-nov-10-16-at-sfoi-org</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>What's New This Week, Nov 03 - 09, at SFOI.org?</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/what-s-new-this-week-nov-03-09-at-sfoi-org</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Videos of the Week Nov 03 to 09
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Update: 11-4-25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill’s SFOI update opens with sharing insights from the book "Gospel Witness to the Ages" by David Gustafson, which explores the history and function of evangelism from the Old Testament through church history, emphasizing the shift in Christian evangelism after Pentecost and the effects of Christianity becoming legalized under Constantine. Bill highlights historic examples like monasteries and evangelism strategies by figures like Martin of Tours and Patrick in Ireland, showing how the gospel grew despite persecution, often through strategic outreach to key leaders.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He announces upcoming ministry events including the Great Cup outreach in Winnipeg, Canada, and seasons of major sporting events like NBA, NHL, college football bowl games, the College Football Championship, Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Weekend, and the St. Pete Grand Prix. Bill encourages preachers to seize opportunities to evangelize consistently at these venues and to engage local churches and supporters in outreach efforts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill stresses the importance of preaching centered on "the word of God and prayer," noting that effective ministry is powered by God’s Spirit. He encourages all involved to maintain faithfulness, viewing natural responses as encouraging but ultimately focusing on the spiritual work God accomplishes through proclaiming Christ crucified. He reminds evangelists to rejoice when the gospel is preached and to dialog and pray for spiritual breakthroughs even if physical results aren’t always apparent.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lastly, Bill offers availability for questions about expository preaching and full-time ministry, encouraging continued growth and partnership in gospel proclamation. The update includes detailed schedules of upcoming games, concerts, and event preaching times to support coordination and planning for those engaged in ministry.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Update: 11/7/25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill’s November 7, 2025 SFOI update warmly greets listeners from New York and invites them to join the upcoming Great Cup outreach in Winnipeg, Canada, a major event drawing 500,000 people that will take place over four days. Bill shares details about travel arrangements and accommodations, welcoming additional volunteers who want to come and participate.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He provides an extensive update on gospel outreach at football games happening that weekend across various locations, listing evangelists and their game schedules at universities and professional venues nationwide. Bill also highlights the upcoming "ball" season, covering baseball and related events from December through January, including college football bowl games, the national championship in Miami, the Gasparilla Festival, the Super Bowl in San Francisco, NBA All-Star Weekend in Englewood, and the St. Pete Grand Prix, with many opportunities to preach and minister.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill emphasizes the central importance of consistent presence and relational ministry at these events, encouraging evangelists to be among the people regularly to build trust and effectiveness. He stresses that effective ministry involves preaching, conversation, and distributing literature in a simple repetitive process that gains momentum over time. Bill encourages consistency and regular participation as keys to success rather than worrying about having the perfect message initially.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He concludes with a reminder of the many upcoming events and outreach opportunities, encouraging preachers to get involved, contact event leaders, and continuously engage with people to proclaim Christ faithfully. The update conveys warmth, practical encouragement, and a clear call to faithful gospel ministry in the public arena.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 07:19:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/what-s-new-this-week-nov-03-09-at-sfoi-org</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Nov 03-09</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-nov-03-09</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 &amp;amp; Campus Mission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith the schedule for the upcoming home game outreaches (Nov 10 - 16), as well as some feedback from evangelists that reached out last week (Nov 03 - 09)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+12.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+12.2.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+11.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week (Nov 03 - 09):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Steven Kendall - Ross-Ade Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 08, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Want to share the blessing I received with you today. Everett preach today at Purdue for the first time ever. I was in the middle of preaching and I was in one of those modes I could have preach for 8 hours straight. Everett looked at me and ask me can I preach. I quickly wrapped my thought up and turn it over to him. I prayed over him and God Holy Spirit worked through him mightily. He started off reading Romans 1 but then continued through much of Romans. He then started giving the sense of the scripture to the people passing bye, he brought questions, he brought applications, he brought the gospel, he exhort people to respond and brought a conclusion. I was amazed. But why? The same Holy Spirit that works in all of us is the same working in him as well. So I should not of been surprised. You would have thought he been in a class on hermeneutics and homiletics. I been pouring into him over the last year and praying with him. I don’t know if I can say I have truly discipled him in anyway but I have invested time into him, model out the Christian life before him and he is growing tremendously. He is connected with brothers in Christ at Purdue and it is showing. He preach over a hour today and many people responding to the preaching, whether positively or negatively. People were hearing and it had an effect. What a blessing. When he first started a man stopped instantly and listened at least for 20 minutes. He was a believer. His name was David. He said he couldn’t help but to stop what he was doing and listen. It was powerful. The Holy Spirit was speaking through Everett. What a blessing today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jim Thornton - Fortera Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 08, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Was able to pass out about 250 tracts this week. I was blessed this week with a good reception, with most taking tracts. I was able to witness seeing 2 young boys with one reading the track I handed them to the other and this opened the door for more conversation later during my time there.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Parsons - Bryant-Denny Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 08, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We preached about 45 minutes and passed tracts for several hours. We had 5 good dialogues with individuals and got out 270 tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jerardo Ibarra - NRG Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, November 09, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were blessed to have four men at the outreach. Smaller than usual, which limited our coverage at the game. We got out some tracts, but not as many as usual. The crowd was a little testy as it was a night game and a little more drunkenness. The gospel was proclaimed and had an amazing engagement with two men in their car, looking for parking
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel &amp;amp; Dan Davis - Lambeau Field
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday, November 10, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preached Mark 2, Zachariah 3, Roman's 1-5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out to Campus past week
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Nov 03 - 09):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Uni. North Carolina &amp;amp; NC State Uni.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday, November 3, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord is at work as the gospel is being shared with students at UNC
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tuesday, November 4, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as the gospel is proclaimed at NC State this afternoon. The Brickyard at NC State is being lit up with the gospel today. What a great Band of Brothers making Jesus known.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wednesday, November 5, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for students to respond to the gospel message as we are back at UNC today. Lots of folks hearing about Jesus at UNC today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson - University of Utah
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thursday, November 06, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers appreciated for my outreach to UVU. Already had a few Gospel conversations of substance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus+-+1-d2f6627c.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:38:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-nov-03-09</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Oct 27 - Nov 02</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-oct-27-nov-02</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 &amp;amp; Campus Mission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith the schedule for the upcoming home game outreaches (Nov 03 - 09), as well as some feedback from evangelists that reached out last week (Oct 27 - Nov 02)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+11.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+11.2.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+10.1-123f22be.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week (Oct 27 - Nov 02):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ken Hisle - Hancock Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 1, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “How many people did we lead to the Lord today?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Everyone (hundreds) who walked past the preaching of God’s call to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The good news went out through tract distribution and the open air proclamation &amp;#55357;&amp;#56911; with brothers 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeff and Joel. Sfoi 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry Collins - Bakersfield College
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 1, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Was able to pass out about 250 tracts this week. I was blessed this week with a good reception, with most taking tracts. I was able to witness seeing 2 young boys with one reading the track I handed them to the other and this opened the door for more conversation later during my time there.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Day - Auburn University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 1, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two new laborers from my local church, Morningview Baptist, joined us today. The Lord is kind, raises up laborers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUxlG9cc1g4Thhlh9WFbjpffH_mnNgSRPpb7_hMs2MuPQiWOH0nzbXt443retAahoHyEKnrM_Kt0_Cxe3D1P1PqIY7bsYwl3MI0pDyh7cTqj_-r7bK6oHym-dnBKfJnxrMovjKqtiKkmC8OxkOTEfLL0HQiwq-04bewegbTFJZ_I9xaXU23Mggc-NRdo7qLueY&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #Sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Carter Finley Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 1, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were blessed to have four men at the outreach. Smaller than usual, which limited our coverage at the game. We got out some tracts, but not as many as usual. The crowd was a little testy as it was a night game and a little more drunkenness. The gospel was proclaimed and had an amazing engagement with two men in their car, looking for parking
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Michael Coughlin - Ohio State University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, November 1, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had several men preach (3) for almost 3 hours. We handed out hundreds of tracts and had men with signs confronting our culture about abortion.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel &amp;amp; Dan Davis - Lambeau Field
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, November 2, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are now setup in 3 spots. We started about 9:30 and went a little past noon. Calm crowd. God needs to intervene in our lives or we will never change and be saved
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out to Campus past week
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Oct 27 - Nov 02):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Uni. North Carolina &amp;amp; NC State Uni.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday, October 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we're bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the students at UNC this afternoon in the drizzling rain. Blessed with some great gospel conversations
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thursday, October 30, 202
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed with many great gospel conversations today at NCS
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson - University of Utah
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wednesday, October 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ed.romine.14?__cft__[0]=AZWJwDrtYSZFKxv9wOgE02SrlUb1G8-4GpeUE3WPWLyFIwPB9E2BQNNdmS1jODYPoeRS_KDOoMhJrgZnXc2v3UTw6nLlPAdBlW2jPnkObminLWPGPZaoW8cJWZYuM4j1oPZ5SGgz4LyKcYUkMvx185od5i1wHpdtmub6aYQikiL5pgpfNyA47C0MDUA6W3bmzx4&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ed Romine
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and I had a great outreach to the University of Utah today. The gospel was preached and we had great conversations with 4 students. Prayers appreciated.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus+-+1-192e22bc.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:11:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-oct-27-nov-02</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Keep Your Finger in the Text - 11/04/25</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-11-04-25</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFITT Live Report 11/04/25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Keep Your Finger in the Text:  Opportunities to get built up as a faithful gospel minister.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Providing encouragement and exhortation to gospel ministers preaching in the open air."
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Talking Points for 11/04/25:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel’s latest "Keep Your Finger in the Text" live report deepens the understanding of Scripture as one unified, Christ-centered story that reveals God’s redemptive plan for all people throughout history. He emphasizes that the Bible, though comprising two testaments, is a single cohesive narrative with Jesus Christ as its unifying interpretive center. Heath explains key biblical principles for interpretation, such as reading scripture “backward” theologically while reading it forward historically, understanding fulfillment rather than replacement in Jesus, and recognizing harmony amid diversity in the Bible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He illustrates these principles through biblical examples from the Old Testament, such as Deuteronomy’s commands about caring for neighbors' lost property and the significance of tassels on garments as symbols of separation and spiritual responsibility. Heath connects these Old Testament laws to New Testament fulfillment in Christ, highlighting that believers are called to reflect God’s compassionate, holy character in practical ways today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The report encourages believers to see all Scripture as relevant across time and culture, always pointing to Christ’s life, death, and resurrection as the ultimate fulfillment. Heath warns against pride and superficial observance of religious symbols detached from genuine holiness and calls for a distinct Christian life marked by grace-driven commitment and moral responsibility.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He invites ministers to grow in faithful expository preaching by engaging with the full counsel of Scripture with a Christ-centered hermeneutic and to build their ministry on prayer, diligent study, and gospel application. This message continues the ongoing thematic focus on building faithful gospel ministers equipped to preach with conviction and clarity in open-air ministry and beyond.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For more details and to join the program visit:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg" length="98800" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:20:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-11-04-25</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Keep Your Finger in the Text - 10/30/25</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-10-30-25</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFITT Live Report 10/30/25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Keep Your Finger in the Text:  Opportunities to get built up as a faithful gospel minister.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Providing encouragement and exhortation to gospel ministers preaching in the open air."
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Talking Points for 10/30/25:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel’s latest "Keep Your Finger in the Text" live report encourages gospel ministers preaching in the open air to build faithfulness through dedicated study, prayer, and training. He reminds listeners of the importance of prayer and hearing from God, highlighting recent interviews with evangelist Stephen Kendall that focus on these essential areas. Heath invites preachers to join ongoing "Taking Reps" Monday night study sessions, where participants work through biblical texts like Psalm 50, developing sermon outlines collaboratively in a supportive environment.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He also discusses the "Preaching That Demands a Response" fall workshop that helps preachers craft sermons faithful to scripture and effective in moving people toward a response. This workshop takes place on Monday mornings and Tuesday evenings and includes sermon preparation, instruction, and feedback to nurture growth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath invites preachers to the 2026 George Whitfield Program Summer Fellowship Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee, designed for those pursuing open-air gospel ministry as a full-time vocation. The conference includes workshops, fellowship, prayer, teaching, and preaching focused on deepening biblical ministry skills and spiritual formation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He emphasizes sermon preparation best practices, including balancing exposure to other preachers’ sermons to avoid undue influence or plagiarism while gaining valuable insights for growth. Heath encourages ministers to be authentic in their preaching style, using their God-given gifts rather than imitating others.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Finally, Heath promotes the George Whitfield Preaching Academy, a two-year certificate program focused on expository open-air preaching, involving workshops, sermon assignments, reading, and growing as a faithful servant of the Word. He offers personal discipleship and feedback for those wanting to progress in their preaching ministry and invites active engagement in regular workshops, mentoring, and outreach opportunities to faithfully proclaim the gospel in varied public settings.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For more details and to join the program visit:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg" length="98800" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:16:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-10-30-25</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Keep Your Finger in the Text - 10/28/25</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-10-28-25</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFITT Live Report 10/28/25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Keep Your Finger in the Text:  Opportunities to get built up as a faithful gospel minister.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Providing encouragement and exhortation to gospel ministers preaching in the open air."
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Talking Points for 10/28/25:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel’s latest "Keep Your Finger in the Text" live report focuses on building faithful gospel ministers who preach God’s Word in the open air, emphasizing the foundational importance of prayer and ministry of the Word as described in Acts 6:4. He encourages ministers to deeply engage with Scripture—not just for sermon preparation but to hear from God personally—by marinating on the text, meditating over it, and praying for the Holy Spirit’s illumination. Heath stresses that effective preaching requires the power of the Holy Spirit, prayer, and sometimes fasting, alongside careful study and application of biblical texts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He highlights ongoing ministry opportunities including the “Taking Reps” study sessions on Monday nights, where participants systematically work through Scripture to develop sermon outlines, and the “Preaching That Demands a Response” workshop, designed to help preachers craft sermons that are faithful to the text and compelling to listeners, offered Monday mornings and Tuesday evenings.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath invites preachers to the George Whitfield Program Fellowship Conference (June 15–19, 2026, Chattanooga, TN), which includes foundational teachings on gospel ministry as a lifestyle and practical preaching workshops. He also offers personal discipleship and sermon feedback to help ministers grow and encourages those interested to reach out for mentoring or to arrange group workshops.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The report underscores the need for intentional, quality time in prayer and Scripture study, acknowledges challenges pastors face, and invites ongoing dialogue for mutual encouragement and growth. Heath challenges ministers to pursue depth in their spiritual preparation so their preaching carries both conviction and life-giving power to those who hear it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For more details and to join the program visit:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg" length="98800" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:11:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-10-28-25</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>What's New This Week, Oct 27 - Nov 02, at SFOI.org?</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/what-s-new-this-week-oct-27-nov-02-at-sfoi-org</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Videos of the Week Oct 27 to Nov 02
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Update: 10-27-25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill’s SFOI update recaps recent trips and shares key ministry opportunities and encouragements for gospel outreach. He highlights the fruitful outreach in London, sharing his enthusiasm for the city's openness, and announces plans for multiple SFOI trips there next year, including possible outreaches during the Commonwealth Games in Scotland and Fall events in London. He emphasizes the ongoing SFOI 1000 football outreach, listing locations and evangelists engaged at both college and pro games, and invites others to join or support these teams.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He also reviews the calendar of major outreach events through early 2026, including the Grey Cup in November, college football bowl games, the national championship in Miami, Gasparilla Fest in Tampa, the Super Bowl outreach in San Francisco, NBA All-Star activities, and the St. Pete Grand Prix. Bill encourages evangelists to seize these opportunities and consult the event list to find a fitting place to serve.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill’s core exhortation is to keep ministry focused on “the word of God and prayer,” citing Acts 6:4 as the foundation for powerful and effective outreach. He compares the centrality of the ball in baseball or money in banking to the indispensable roles of scripture and prayer for Christian ministry. He urges evangelists—and those aspiring to this work—to become men devoted to deep Bible study and extended daily prayer, affirming that these are what give life and effectiveness to all gospel work, regardless of where it happens. Bill invites listeners to respond if they share this vision of ministry centered around God’s word and persistent prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Update: 10-31-25 "Evangelism leads to some outcome"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill’s update for October 31, 2025, focuses on the impact and spiritual dynamics of open-air evangelism at sports events. He announces his plans to preach at the Tennessee Volunteers game against Oklahoma and shares the schedule of other evangelists preaching at various college and professional football games nationwide that weekend. Bill emphasizes the necessity of focused prayer for these evangelists, specifically praying for the power of God to be upon everyone preaching, for liberty in their ministry, and that Christ’s message would be clearly heard amid the noise and distractions of tailgating and game day festivities.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He highlights that evangelism is a spiritual work involving God’s power to save, and human efforts simply deliver the message. Bill encourages pray-ers to ask God to move Christians who attend the games to join the preaching teams, even for a short time, fostering spiritual support and growth among the preachers. He shares testimonies of faithful ministry in Green Bay where the local community, including police chaplains and church members, actively support and join in the outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill exhorts believers to move from passive spectators to active participants in ministry, standing with evangelists, answering questions, and sharing the gospel boldly. He stresses that witnessing through open-air preaching is an ongoing spiritual battle requiring dedication, prayer, and mutual encouragement. The update closes with a repeated call for united prayer support and increased Christian engagement in these evangelistic opportunities for ongoing fruitfulness and spiritual warfare victory. All ministry event details and locations are provided in the video description to encourage active involvement and coordination.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2025 11:51:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/what-s-new-this-week-oct-27-nov-02-at-sfoi-org</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Oct 20 - 26</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-oct-20-26</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 &amp;amp; Campus Mission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith the schedule for the upcoming home game outreaches (Oct 27 - Nov 02), as well as some feedback from evangelists that reached out last week (Oct 20-26)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+10.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+10.2.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+9.1-1f525963.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week (Oct 20-26):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Shylo Galvan &amp;amp; Richard Walker - Memorial Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 25, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Excellent crowds! I preached Philippians 2:9-11, and Nigel preached topically on Salvation. Dozens of Bible tracts were passed out, a handful of gospel conversations took place.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Steven Kendall - Ross-Ade Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 25, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Scott, who attended Purdue 40 years ago, wanted to thank us for preaching the gospel at the Purdue campus. We prayed for his mother, Bunny, who is 102 years old and doesn’t understand grace. Pray God would be gracious and open her mind to understand the gospel that she might respond. 2 police officers were harassing us again, asking us to now leave from where we were told to go by Purdue. SFOI attorney Peter has finally been able to send an official email out to Purdue who is in violation of the Constitution.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mason Goodknight &amp;amp; Ryan Clark - Jones AT&amp;amp;T Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 25, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReformedBaptistChurchofDC?__cft__[0]=AZVWWzqfscV-GzbglSs9etcWu3ZgGXNLH5AvvrQNDXehQ02BUeGRUZsuc7CfMWfqJRW8fgTdrJeIKnUOzL9mGaMxaRergv29AJTQPuFHb9ZgQHqhRMSgi0ke-6fhKEqDEotdpaIMI0h_rwPRi-6hcuoxasdKd2eqlPoEGpaKCGwB7kZ-BJLBmKWxG2VcK3F5pqufcCdH3v3jr6rf1dKD8xO2&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reformed Baptist Church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6%2F&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVWWzqfscV-GzbglSs9etcWu3ZgGXNLH5AvvrQNDXehQ02BUeGRUZsuc7CfMWfqJRW8fgTdrJeIKnUOzL9mGaMxaRergv29AJTQPuFHb9ZgQHqhRMSgi0ke-6fhKEqDEotdpaIMI0h_rwPRi-6hcuoxasdKd2eqlPoEGpaKCGwB7kZ-BJLBmKWxG2VcK3F5pqufcCdH3v3jr6rf1dKD8xO2&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Outreach to the Oregon Ducks vs Wisconsin game at Autzen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tom Brewer - Tiger Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 25, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/JClark4755?__cft__[0]=AZVRMZrga0ywN7YG7zLh3fdKxgQ8ISJg4ZWcrKcOKH0mVGnCVAwZ200Rcv6tqtv8RZjYKc619sxSG2oquWw1jRMMWl-ovVwCk7NZh01FouDbDT1Frj5WnxCqImUIiIA1e8rZbCMNn1mPDFU70bEO617IlDYIIO7Z4mQMscgmCTO12A&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jack Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            proclaiming truth at LSU vs aTm. Don’t try to redefine your sins; the Bible is God’s dictionary. Repent and believe the gospel. LSU vs aTm outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jerardo Ibarra - NRG Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, October 26, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A lot of tracts go out at the Texans game with a Houston Texans win.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUQ-BNhuai_PXgykWHPTYvWSaAuWOOGkBg0uiyYlRCdmMNiELefb-StGE5GiWhY_Ki7PPQNYPN4lrY9tQFSZZck9R9XLAzqP32sVFSzOxEWkf_U_aQSV9jNepYm-HLV7iEuMBdwQVpVev_zWxMm17JB3-tGlkPvYZ-geC2JrEh6cJvaRzmRWBZpjIHKmoKlXlc&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Robert - Caesars Superdome
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, October 26, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a day. Over 110 Bibles were distributed, as well as some gospel tracts. Quite a few people said "God bless you", and some said "Yay!!! Homosexuality." 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           A few others were scoffing and some were laughing. One woman said, "You know, I'm going to kill you." She then extended her middle finger to me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I would say that it is a good thing that the police are nearby, but then again, two boys younger than 12 years old were each toting a case of beer down the street. The police saw them and did nothing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until next time, still fishing for men,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Roy Nembhard - Lincoln Financial Field
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, October 26, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The outreach was fruitful yesterday. While the foot traffic was a bit lighter than the previous game, we still had a robust crowd that had the opportunity to hear the gospel. This week's crowd was not as open to engaging as much as previous weeks. We did have a good number of people who were not going to the game who willingly wanted to engage after the game was in progress, as well as a few believers who were encouraged, even wanting to take photos with us. We had a group of 6 Gen Zers who requested prayer, and after prayer for them, shared the gospel message with them. On our way to our vehicle after we packed up for the day, we had a few encounters, being able to pray for the individuals and the final one was the most exciting, which we were sure was a divine encounter as we were able to share the word with the gentleman whose name was Anthony. He actually received a word of knowledge during our encounter, which addressed a personal issue he was broken over, then we were able to pray for him and exchanged contact info with him in the hopes of staying in contact with him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brian Ninde - Lucas Oil Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, October 26, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed Day. Gospel Proclaimed. Preached Christ Crucified. Gospel Tracts Handed Out. Prayers &amp;amp; Conversations happened.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew Cochran - Arcisure Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, October 26, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Read mostly from Romans and expounded a little on the text, Romans chapter 1-8, had a few people clearly stop to listen to the preaching. One went up to me and told me Jesus is King.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out to Campus past week
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Oct 20-26):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Univ. North Carolina
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday, October 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we declare Jesus to the students at UNC this afternoon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson - University of Utah
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thursday, October 23, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers very much appreciated for our outreach to UVU today. Pray for Franko and Dave. 2 LDS members we had gospel conversations with. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZUBR1B2Hd4Ik2MZf5wR5s0ljaNcg5fz5W2koDbMKN1fxVe3TUIQlnSqRfOZQC371Chzycbk6a4MFrgCbqiUCV8G3DfdGSOnilbE3pVrhodT9vM2-sMzTtmoziq4hqykOEuHP663RSGCF2dv54qr8T7FxuFfMB2nrLnIxf93jAmunw5XUl7-7XoRwSBMwECl6no&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K*F" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ed.romine.14?__cft__[0]=AZUBR1B2Hd4Ik2MZf5wR5s0ljaNcg5fz5W2koDbMKN1fxVe3TUIQlnSqRfOZQC371Chzycbk6a4MFrgCbqiUCV8G3DfdGSOnilbE3pVrhodT9vM2-sMzTtmoziq4hqykOEuHP663RSGCF2dv54qr8T7FxuFfMB2nrLnIxf93jAmunw5XUl7-7XoRwSBMwECl6no&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K*F" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ed Romine
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Advancingthegospelofficial?__cft__[0]=AZUBR1B2Hd4Ik2MZf5wR5s0ljaNcg5fz5W2koDbMKN1fxVe3TUIQlnSqRfOZQC371Chzycbk6a4MFrgCbqiUCV8G3DfdGSOnilbE3pVrhodT9vM2-sMzTtmoziq4hqykOEuHP663RSGCF2dv54qr8T7FxuFfMB2nrLnIxf93jAmunw5XUl7-7XoRwSBMwECl6no&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K*F" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advancingthegospelofficial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brad Madewell - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thursday, October 23, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thankful to preach today on the Good shepherd and the one door to God, Jesus Christ from John 10.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mason Goodknight - University of Oregon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friday, October 24, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReformedBaptistChurchofDC?__cft__[0]=AZXT6FQswajoViEOJWzv-LMfc4Kf1UGGzm-GlK40-syHZoprv75enb_dCqIuyWcB9OlBDVIbHPxwkxkPYERxCbt5PlliEKXBQDGOFQgGCEb0QC5c1u1yi812h44SVeQhwhy37f-DI7x_3JqnfETZp3V6LJoU11y9N8hyIsi74nb8HrwmRxFVNDfP1pXL_ku1oJ2UzS3cK83j-fEW4elLfUK6&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reformed Baptist Church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Outreach to the University of Oregon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2025 09:01:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-oct-20-26</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Oct 13 - 19</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-oct-13-19</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 &amp;amp; Campus Mission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith the schedule for the upcoming home game outreaches (Oct 20-26), as well as some feedback from evangelists that reached out last week (Oct 13-19)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+9.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+9.2.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+8.1-cc146813.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week (Oct 13-19):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pat Hegarty - Canvas Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The attendance at Colorado State's Canvas Stadium on October 18, 2025, was a record all time high of 40,416 for our fifth #sfoi outreach of 2025 at CSU. I preached from Psalm 50 about the God's call to both legalist and the lawless to glorify God by bringing the sacrifice of thanksgiving which cause us to look away from ourselves and what we are doing to the perfect sacrifice that God has provided in Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt - Sanford Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Had another great day of preaching. We rotated in 30 min increments from 12:30.pm to 3:30 pm, so we each preached twice. Anthony had a good conversation with a guy who seemed to be seeking the truth and Jamie had a conversation with a couple of mockers, as he was preaching. We had some loud noise competition today but it didn't last but about an hour.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grayson Shaw - Allen E. Paulson Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The crowds poured in Saturday night as it was the biggest rivalry game of the year for Georgia Southern and Georgia State. Being in our usual spot, where a lot of students come in we interacted with a large number of people under the influence of alcohol, and dealt with the normal amount of hecklers and mockers. It has been tamer this season, but this was more of a typical night time outreach. We had a few good conversations, passed out a good number of tracts, and preached for about an hour and a half. Two young men said they wanted to attend church the next day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson - LaVell Edwards Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great outreach. This crowd usually doesn't take a lot a tracts, but we got out more then usual. Great weather for an outreach coupled with a big in-state rivalry game made for large crowds. Many thousands of people heard some portion of the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jason Sleichter - William &amp;amp; Mary Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great day with some dear brother. Two spots preaching so many heard the Gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Parsons - Bryant-Denny Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We walked a giant loop around campus and engaged as many as the Lord allowed to pass tracts and engage in gospel conversations. We were able to get almost all the materials we brought with us out! Praise the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nick O'Berry - Williams-Brice Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another beautiful early fall South Carolina day filled Williams-Brice Stadium once again. SC fans always show up. Mike and I preached simultaneously about 50 yards apart. There was also another preacher, Spencer, down from us a little ways. So the whole area was saturated with the Gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out to Campus past week
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Oct 13-19):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Univ. North Carolina &amp;amp; North Carolina State Univ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday, October 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we Proclaim Jesus at UNC this afternoon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Robert - Nicholls State Uni. &amp;amp; Southeastern Louisiana Uni.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tuesday, October 14, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today at NSU, we used Ray's IQ test to bring in the students for some fun questions, only to include questions on morality and the ultimate source of morality, God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Too many to count because of group sizes, but approximately 40 students heard the gospel of Jesus Christ today over a four hour period of time. This is based on the number of 10 Commandment coins I gave out. One faculty member listened as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray that the Holy Spirit will convict these young people and save their souls.
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Frank Rollberg - University of North Alabama
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wednesday, October 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Handed out around 150 to 200 tracts today at the campus and got some encouragement from some students that appreciate that I'm sharing the Gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 25 Oct 2025 10:59:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-oct-13-19</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Oct 6 - 12</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-oct-6-12</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 &amp;amp; Campus Mission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith the schedule for the upcoming home game outreaches (Oct 13-19), as well as some feedback from evangelists that reached out last week (Oct 6-12)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+8.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+8.2.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+7.1-7c45125e.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week (Oct 6-12):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doug Renz - Bobby Dodd Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you for praying . Out for 3 hours preaching to Marta patrons attending the Georgia Tech game as they passed by. I met Emory who is a Christian and stopped by wanting to learn how to not be fearful of sharing his faith. He lives near 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/stirling.long.5?__cft__[0]=AZWhbn9KK5vTHSLg7ZhDiGH6AHDFjIIYhTZkgxZSPlZNxTjPjghHHvb8fKG-PYjqqpRuqMLmouW8lpdKWmuolF_wHPY7GGeEzKwmCIPVgtU3H6QF_CDSZ9210Zv3Mj3Yxq_oZu3hVmKi4I3jq-YzGPS5M-xdNsSQdp1YNgF4KUE9eQ&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and we hope to make a connection and encourage his faith. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZWhbn9KK5vTHSLg7ZhDiGH6AHDFjIIYhTZkgxZSPlZNxTjPjghHHvb8fKG-PYjqqpRuqMLmouW8lpdKWmuolF_wHPY7GGeEzKwmCIPVgtU3H6QF_CDSZ9210Zv3Mj3Yxq_oZu3hVmKi4I3jq-YzGPS5M-xdNsSQdp1YNgF4KUE9eQ&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sportsfanoutreach?__cft__[0]=AZWhbn9KK5vTHSLg7ZhDiGH6AHDFjIIYhTZkgxZSPlZNxTjPjghHHvb8fKG-PYjqqpRuqMLmouW8lpdKWmuolF_wHPY7GGeEzKwmCIPVgtU3H6QF_CDSZ9210Zv3Mj3Yxq_oZu3hVmKi4I3jq-YzGPS5M-xdNsSQdp1YNgF4KUE9eQ&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/heath.pucel?__cft__[0]=AZWhbn9KK5vTHSLg7ZhDiGH6AHDFjIIYhTZkgxZSPlZNxTjPjghHHvb8fKG-PYjqqpRuqMLmouW8lpdKWmuolF_wHPY7GGeEzKwmCIPVgtU3H6QF_CDSZ9210Zv3Mj3Yxq_oZu3hVmKi4I3jq-YzGPS5M-xdNsSQdp1YNgF4KUE9eQ&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry Collins - Bakersfield College
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This week, only my wife and I were able to attend. We were able to pass out about 200 Gospel tracts. Seems I’m now recognized by many of the football fans. Several Christians thanked me for being there and one lady said she also needs to be doing the same. It’s a blessing to be encouraging other believers that are present.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark Murnan - FAU Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          Excellent location along the entrance lines to the stadium. Great crowds, close proximity to the preaching. Several tracts handed out, several conversations and interactions with the fans.
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tom Sheppard - Alamodome Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Very hot day - we stayed out 2.5 hours and met several believers who encouraged us in proclaiming the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brian Ninde - Lucas Oil Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, October 12, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel proclaimed, Tracts handed out &amp;amp; many conversations had. Blessed day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew Cochran - Arcisure Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, October 12, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preached from Jonah and the book of Luke, had people stop nearby and listen a little. Praise God that many heard the word of God proclaimed on the streets.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Robert - Caesars Superdome
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, October 12, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nick received some blessings by being asked to pray for some homeless people while distributing bibles on a street corner. He gave away about 45 bibles as well as some gospel tracts. This was Nick's first time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grayson Shaw - Allen E. Paulson Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thursday, October 9, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The outreach went well. This was our first true night game of the season as it started to get dark while we were still doing ministry. This season has been much tamer as far as negative feedback and heckling, but we did have a couple this time out. We held our signs to try to get personal interactions, and had some good conversations with a few people coming to the game. It took a while for the foot traffic to build up, but once it got closer to game time there were a good amount of people coming in. Grayson Shaw was the only one who preached this time, he was able to go for about and hour and a half. Overall, the outreach lasted about 2 hours. No issues with police, tracts were handed out, and God was glorified through the event.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pat Hegarty - Canvas Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a bit rainy but not too cold for this CSU Rams v the Fresno State Bulldogs game that kicked off at 7:00 pm on October 11th, 2025. We had a number of people who stopped and talked including one man who stood up on a rock opposite Mike Henderson for about 20 minutes offering challenges to the Gospel and asking questions. It was a good interaction. I also talked to 2 high school-aged brothers that were Romans Catholic, one of whom thought he would get to heaven if he "did not do anything stupid". Please pray for all who heard the Word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out to Campus past week
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Oct 6-12):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Univ. North Carolina &amp;amp; North Carolina State Univ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday, October 06, 2025 &amp;amp; Tuesday, October 07, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we Proclaim Jesus at UNC this afternoon. Pray for us as Christ is proclaimed on the campus of NC State this afternoon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson - University of Utah
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thursday, October 09, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Outreach to UVU. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZXGFL5euj8ez6KCb_Fczl6sRAc1VpOvJfQWcALwyrrqRZJE30YnVFbkUBE-Mfryn4-FjQeQWTRF6opx26VYPcksUJUVTR9vh_RPdnNDnz9ry80j9nTSGHD6rzD3JP_BHVk2lIxxNs43HxtD1MkCKlUOzJU9gIj9_Hom3Nui5Z4D6JBJDvKhRr2sQrFlegTkImU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Advancingthegospelofficial?__cft__[0]=AZXGFL5euj8ez6KCb_Fczl6sRAc1VpOvJfQWcALwyrrqRZJE30YnVFbkUBE-Mfryn4-FjQeQWTRF6opx26VYPcksUJUVTR9vh_RPdnNDnz9ry80j9nTSGHD6rzD3JP_BHVk2lIxxNs43HxtD1MkCKlUOzJU9gIj9_Hom3Nui5Z4D6JBJDvKhRr2sQrFlegTkImU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advancingthegospelofficial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ed.romine.14?__cft__[0]=AZXGFL5euj8ez6KCb_Fczl6sRAc1VpOvJfQWcALwyrrqRZJE30YnVFbkUBE-Mfryn4-FjQeQWTRF6opx26VYPcksUJUVTR9vh_RPdnNDnz9ry80j9nTSGHD6rzD3JP_BHVk2lIxxNs43HxtD1MkCKlUOzJU9gIj9_Hom3Nui5Z4D6JBJDvKhRr2sQrFlegTkImU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ed Romine
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brad Madewell - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tuesday, October 07, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There were two good conversations, thankful to the Lord for, at UTC college today. Levi, an Environmental Science major, who we believe is a follower of Christ. Also, another young lady who is a junior Science major. We encouraged her to look to Jesus also. Glory to God for these opportunities today and for being able to preach Christ with brother Gene and brother Bill. Lord Bless.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Robert - Nicholls State University &amp;amp; Southeastern Louisiana University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wednesday, October 8, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were at Nicholls State University today for six hours teaching Creation Science. From the time we got there until we departed, it was non stop students who came to see what we were doing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A student asked to interview us and said it was going to be broadcast on Nicholls TV. The interview ended up being a debate between an Atheist who believed that nothing created everything, a Young Earth Creationist, and a student who was sitting on the fence. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The gospel was proclaimed during the filming of this and the atheist told that he will go to Hell if he rejects God and His Son Jesus Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Too many students to count came to see and ask questions. One person won a piece of Coprolite (fossilized dino poop) and three others each a fish fossil.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A transvestite was present and departed quickly at the mention of Jesus Christ. Please pray for him and the other lost students here at NSU.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Oct 2025 10:04:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-oct-6-12</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Campus Ministry -  Justin Hodges</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-justin-hodges</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Campus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Justin Hodges
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Campus+mission+evangelists+Justin+Hodges.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Campus' mission is for Christ to be preached and the Word of God to be taught in the open air at as many College and University campuses in the US as possible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you would like to preach with Justin, see the schedule below and contact him directly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA | Monday - Friday: 10 AM - 2 PM
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:jhodgescorp@gmail.com"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Justin Hodges
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:jhodgescorp@gmail.com"&gt;&#xD;
      
           jhodgescorp@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SF Giants Ball Park MLK Day (distributing tracts) and Allen Hancock College today (with a table).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Justin+Hodges+-+Campus.jpeg" length="117444" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:55:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-justin-hodges</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">Campus Mission</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Justin+Hodges+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Justin+Hodges+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Campus Ministry -  Kevin Tallaksen</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-kevin-tallaksen</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Campus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Kevin Tallaksen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pennsylvania State Altoona
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pennsylvania State Main Campus - State College
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kevin+Tallaksen+-+Campus.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kevin+Tallaksen+-+Campus+1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Campus' mission is for Christ to be preached and the Word of God to be taught in the open air at as many College and University campuses in the US as possible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you would like to preach with Kevin, see the schedule below and contact him directly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pennsylvania State Altoona | Wednesday: 11 AM - 2 PM
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pennsylvania State Main Campus - State College | Thursday: 11 AM - 3 PM
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/tallaksen_kevin" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Kevin Tallaksen
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:215-565-6026"&gt;&#xD;
      
           215-565-6026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:permeateevangelism@gmail.com"&gt;&#xD;
      
           permeateevangelism@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kevin+Tallaksen+-+Campus.jpeg" length="138769" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:50:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-kevin-tallaksen</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">Campus Mission</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kevin+Tallaksen+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kevin+Tallaksen+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Campus Ministry -  Frank Rollberg</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-frank-rollberg</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Campus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Frank Rollberg
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of North Alabama
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Frank+Rollberg+-+Campus.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Campus' mission is for Christ to be preached and the Word of God to be taught in the open air at as many College and University campuses in the US as possible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you would like to preach with Frank, see the schedule below and contact him directly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of North Alabama | Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/rollberg_frank" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Frank Rollberg
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:630-809-5475"&gt;&#xD;
      
           630-809-5475
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:lfroll@protonmail.com"&gt;&#xD;
      
           lfroll@protonmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Andy and myself went to UNA today. We handed out around 150 gospel tracts to the students
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pastor Andy and myself passed out between hundred and 200 gospel tracts. Our board question was Do you have Eternal Life? We had a few stop to talk to us but it was a pretty slow compared to other times. Praise the Lord the paper missionaries went out. No King but Christ!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was the tract of the day at UNA Campus this morning. Passed out over a hundred and had a couple of good conversations. Young man named Drew he was a Christian wanting to go into ministry and was having some struggles in his life. I was able to pray for him. Then there was a older Korean lady that was encouraged I was there and spoke with me for several minutes. No King but Christ!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Handed out around 150 to 200 tracts today at the campus and got some encouragement from some students that appreciate that I'm sharing the Gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, October 01, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Handed out around 150 to 200 tracts today at the campus and got some encouragement from some students that appreciate that I'm sharing the Gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Frank+Rollberg+-+Campus.jpeg" length="143072" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:43:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-frank-rollberg</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">Campus Mission</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Frank+Rollberg+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Frank+Rollberg+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Campus Ministry -  Heath Pucel</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-heath-pucel</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Campus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Heath Pucel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Wisconsin - Osh Kosh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Heath+Pucel+-+Campus.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Campus' mission is for Christ to be preached and the Word of God to be taught in the open air at as many College and University campuses in the US as possible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you would like to preach with Heath, see the schedule below and contact him directly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Wisconsin - Osh Kosh | Wednesday:  11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/pucel_heath" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Heath Pucel
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:920-423-5676"&gt;&#xD;
      
           920-423-5676
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:heathpucel@gmail.com"&gt;&#xD;
      
           heathpucel@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Heath+Pucel+-+Campus.jpeg" length="144060" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:40:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-heath-pucel</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">Campus Mission</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Heath+Pucel+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Heath+Pucel+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Campus Ministry -  Bobby McCreery</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-bobby-mccreery</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Campus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Bobby McCreery
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           West Georgia University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bobby+McCreery+-+Campus.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Campus' mission is for Christ to be preached and the Word of God to be taught in the open air at as many College and University campuses in the US as possible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you would like to preach with Bobby, see the schedule below and contact him directly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           West Georgia University | Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/mccreery_bobby" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bobby McCreery
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:404-985-3765"&gt;&#xD;
      
           404-985-3765
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:bobby@totheendoftheearch.org"&gt;&#xD;
      
           bobby@totheendoftheearch.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some pics from our outreach @uwestga today. Thank you for your continued prayers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you to everyone who prayed for our time @uwestga today. Many fruitful conversations, several requested and received prayer, one Bible requested and received, as well as many tracts. Please continue to pray for this weekly outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you to everyone who prayed. It seemed like every time I turned around, John and Jim were in another conversation. Many tracts went out as well as a Bible and (3) copies of the Gospel of Luke. At least two students requested and received prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you to everyone who prayed for Mark, Robert, and @uwestga Wednesday. So many conversations and tracts. The Lord genuinely blessed us with such a fruitful day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you to everyone who prayed for our efforts at @uwestga today. A very fruitful day. Many conversations and tracts, literature (pamphlets) taken, 2 Bibles given, one student prayed for. Thank you Lord!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Would you pray for Lew, Pastor Luke and I @uwestga today? First day on campus this semester.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bobby+McCreery+-+Campus.jpeg" length="150431" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:36:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-bobby-mccreery</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">Campus Mission</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bobby+McCreery+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bobby+McCreery+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Campus Ministry -  Mason Goodknight</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-mason-goodknight</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Campus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Mason Goodknight
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Oregon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason+Goodknight+-+Campus+-+1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Campus' mission is for Christ to be preached and the Word of God to be taught in the open air at as many College and University campuses in the US as possible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you would like to preach with Mason, see the schedule below and contact him directly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Oregon | Every 4th Friday of the month
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/goodknight_mason" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Mason Goodknight
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:541-580-8202"&gt;&#xD;
      
           541-580-8202
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:evangelistmason@rbcdc.church"&gt;&#xD;
      
           evangelistmason@rbcdc.church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReformedBaptistChurchofDC?__cft__[0]=AZXT6FQswajoViEOJWzv-LMfc4Kf1UGGzm-GlK40-syHZoprv75enb_dCqIuyWcB9OlBDVIbHPxwkxkPYERxCbt5PlliEKXBQDGOFQgGCEb0QC5c1u1yi812h44SVeQhwhy37f-DI7x_3JqnfETZp3V6LJoU11y9N8hyIsi74nb8HrwmRxFVNDfP1pXL_ku1oJ2UzS3cK83j-fEW4elLfUK6&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reformed Baptist Church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Outreach to the University of Oregon
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason+Goodknight+-+Campus+-+1.jpeg" length="159795" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:57:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-mason-goodknight</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">Campus Mission</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason+Goodknight+-+Campus+-+1.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason+Goodknight+-+Campus+-+1.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Campus Ministry - Dave Doerman</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-dave-doerman</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Campus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Dave Doerman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Campus+mission+evangelists+Dave+Doerman.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Campus' mission is for Christ to be preached and the Word of God to be taught in the open air at as many College and University campuses in the US as possible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you would like to preach with Dave, see the schedule below and contact him directly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Cincinnati | Monday &amp;amp; Thursday mornings
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/doerman_david" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Dave Doerman
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:513-235-8407"&gt;&#xD;
      
           513-235-8407
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:dadoerman@gmail.com"&gt;&#xD;
      
           dadoerman@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Dave+Doerman+-+Campus.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Doerman+-+Campus+-+1.jpeg" length="142363" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:53:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-dave-doerman</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">Campus Mission</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Doerman+-+Campus+-+1.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Doerman+-+Campus+-+1.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Campus Ministry - Terry Cohea</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-terry-cohea</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Campus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Terry Cohea
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;b&gt;&#xD;
      
           Middle Tennessee State University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/b&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Campus+mission+evangelist+Terry+Cohea.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Campus' mission is for Christ to be preached and the Word of God to be taught in the open air at as many College and University campuses in the US as possible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you would like to preach with Terry, see the schedule below and contact him directly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Middle Tennessee State University | 4 times per semester, 8 times per year
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/cohea_terry" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Terry Cohea
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:615-708-8314"&gt;&#xD;
      
           615-708-8314
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:terrycohea@thegospeltorch.org"&gt;&#xD;
      
           terrycohea@thegospeltorch.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Terry+Cohea+-+Campus+-+1.jpeg" length="140182" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:49:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-terry-cohea</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">Campus Mission</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Terry+Cohea+-+Campus+-+1.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Terry+Cohea+-+Campus+-+1.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Campus Ministry - Mark Jasa</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-mark-jasa</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Campus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Mark Jasa
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of California, Los Angeles
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Campus+mission+evangelists+Mark+Jasa.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Campus' mission is for Christ to be preached and the Word of God to be taught in the open air at as many College and University campuses in the US as possible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you would like to preach with Mark, see the schedule below and contact him directly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of California, Los Angeles	Monday - Friday
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/markjasa/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Mark Jasa
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:310-409-7314" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           310-409-7314
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:markjasa@gmail.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           markjasa@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here I am with a Norwegian family on the campus of UCLA, telling people Jesus has died for you, Jesus has paid for your sins go in peace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mark+Jasa+-+Campus.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mark+Jasa+-+Campus.jpeg" length="141454" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:44:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-mark-jasa</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">Campus Mission</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mark+Jasa+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mark+Jasa+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Campus Ministry - David Robert</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-david-robert</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Campus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: David Robert
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nicholls State University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Southeastern Louisiana University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Robert+-+Campus+-+1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Robert+-+Campus+-+2.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Campus' mission is for Christ to be preached and the Word of God to be taught in the open air at as many College and University campuses in the US as possible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you would like to preach with David, see the schedule below and contact him directly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nicholls State University	Tuesday or Wednesday mornings
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Southeastern Louisiana University	Tuesday or Wednesday mornings
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/robert_david" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            David Robert
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:601-590-1990"&gt;&#xD;
      
           601-590-1990
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:graceandtruthevangelism@gmail.com"&gt;&#xD;
      
           graceandtruthevangelism@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At NSU, the students were asked, "Would you be interested to learn that 3 bible prophecies have been fulfilled or are in the process of being fulfilled in the last 12 months?" 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We taught for 4 1/2 hours to 9 students, and one came back again bringing a friend. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The follow-up question was, "In light of this information from Scripture, how should you be living your lives?" They all said that they should be reading their bibles more and striving to live holy lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a blessed day it was at NSU.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David from Honduras asked if he could pray for me, which he did, in the open square. It is wonderful when young people are not ashamed of Jesus Christ. Please pray for the salvation of Zander, Easton, Asher, and about 11 others who's names I forgot, that heard the gospel explained. We had a Sociology professor who said she is also a Christian come over to comment on what we were teaching. She saw what happened the previous week and approved. She was very encouraging. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The president of the student council told me that some students were demanding that something be done about me. He told them that I have the right to free speech and the next time would stand with me to defend those rights. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some students saw the commotion from last week and came over on Wednesday to hear more, and to hear the gospel explained. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A lot to pray about.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Still fishing for men,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To the saints,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today at NSU, we used Ray's IQ test to bring in the students for some fun questions, only to include questions on morality and the ultimate source of morality, God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Too many to count because of group sizes, but approximately 40 students heard the gospel of Jesus Christ today over a four hour period of time. This is based on the number of 10 Commandment coins I gave out. One faculty member listened as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray that the Holy Spirit will convict these young people and save their souls. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were at Nicholls State University today for six hours teaching Creation Science. From the time we got there until we departed it was non stop students who came to see what we were doing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A student asked to interview us and said it was going to be broadcast on Nicholls TV. The interview ended up being a debate between an Atheist who believed that nothing created everything, a Young Earth Creationist, and a student who was sitting on the fence. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The gospel was proclaimed during the filming of this and the athiest told that he will go to Hell if he rejects God and His Son Jesus Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Too many students to count came to see and ask questions. One person won a piece of Coprolite (fossilized dino poop) and three others each a fish fossil.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A transvestite was present and departed quickly at the mention of Jesus Christ. Please pray for him and the other lost students here at NSU.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were at Nicholls State University today for six hours teaching Creation Science. From the time we got there until we departed, it was non stop students who came to see what we were doing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A student asked to interview us and said it was going to be broadcast on Nicholls TV. The interview ended up being a debate between an Atheist who believed that nothing created everything, a Young Earth Creationist, and a student who was sitting on the fence. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The gospel was proclaimed during the filming of this and the atheist told that he will go to Hell if he rejects God and His Son Jesus Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Too many students to count came to see and ask questions. One person won a piece of Coprolite (fossilized dino poop) and three others each a fish fossil.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A transvestite was present and departed quickly at the mention of Jesus Christ. Please pray for him and the other lost students here at NSU.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Robert+-+Campus.jpeg" length="148406" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 12:35:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-david-robert</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">Campus Mission</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Robert+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Robert+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Sep 29- Oct 5</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-sep-29-oct-5</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 - Herewith the schedule for the upcoming home game outreaches (Oct 6-12), as well as some feedback from evangelists that reached out last week (Sep 29 - Oct 5)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+7.1-85416736.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+7.2-b4c6777b.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+6.1-8bcff4ca.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week (Sep 29 - Oct 5):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brian Ninde - Lucas Oil Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, October 5, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel proclaimed, many tracts handed out, and great conversations had.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Roy Nembhard - Lincoln Financial Field
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, October 5, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We started out at 9:30, setting up at a corner directly across from the Lincoln Financial Field. We had a few good conversations, even in the midst of a crowd focused on just getting into the stadium to watch the game. We also handed out plenty of Gospel tracts along with 1 Bible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Crowley - FBC Mortgage Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 4, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/rob.medina.31?__cft__[0]=AZW54DGzJ7RCzGWOlBvi41EHd1lVekTp_AW1s8O4Itgb08PjyAsLwCyGLGxjsecvEpzJIzAwM9aAYm_QVm8GNm6OqXddmTUuvKAFpPADyZsSjw4d-fSliYAPAswerND1ey4Tr0tF7fADcPskEMHNz2oDGrimdwTEQaPo-bCm8g2hYUecMe335d2X7NhvzEtR2qH9M_0-ainS-XZAsSZ5GlUU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rob Medina
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/chandler.langevin?__cft__[0]=AZW54DGzJ7RCzGWOlBvi41EHd1lVekTp_AW1s8O4Itgb08PjyAsLwCyGLGxjsecvEpzJIzAwM9aAYm_QVm8GNm6OqXddmTUuvKAFpPADyZsSjw4d-fSliYAPAswerND1ey4Tr0tF7fADcPskEMHNz2oDGrimdwTEQaPo-bCm8g2hYUecMe335d2X7NhvzEtR2qH9M_0-ainS-XZAsSZ5GlUU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Chandler Langevin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZW54DGzJ7RCzGWOlBvi41EHd1lVekTp_AW1s8O4Itgb08PjyAsLwCyGLGxjsecvEpzJIzAwM9aAYm_QVm8GNm6OqXddmTUuvKAFpPADyZsSjw4d-fSliYAPAswerND1ey4Tr0tF7fADcPskEMHNz2oDGrimdwTEQaPo-bCm8g2hYUecMe335d2X7NhvzEtR2qH9M_0-ainS-XZAsSZ5GlUU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/paul.rosbury.3?__cft__[0]=AZW54DGzJ7RCzGWOlBvi41EHd1lVekTp_AW1s8O4Itgb08PjyAsLwCyGLGxjsecvEpzJIzAwM9aAYm_QVm8GNm6OqXddmTUuvKAFpPADyZsSjw4d-fSliYAPAswerND1ey4Tr0tF7fADcPskEMHNz2oDGrimdwTEQaPo-bCm8g2hYUecMe335d2X7NhvzEtR2qH9M_0-ainS-XZAsSZ5GlUU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul Rosbury
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/seth.tweeddale?__cft__[0]=AZW54DGzJ7RCzGWOlBvi41EHd1lVekTp_AW1s8O4Itgb08PjyAsLwCyGLGxjsecvEpzJIzAwM9aAYm_QVm8GNm6OqXddmTUuvKAFpPADyZsSjw4d-fSliYAPAswerND1ey4Tr0tF7fADcPskEMHNz2oDGrimdwTEQaPo-bCm8g2hYUecMe335d2X7NhvzEtR2qH9M_0-ainS-XZAsSZ5GlUU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Seth Tweeddale
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Eric Needle 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/emeal.zwayne?__cft__[0]=AZW54DGzJ7RCzGWOlBvi41EHd1lVekTp_AW1s8O4Itgb08PjyAsLwCyGLGxjsecvEpzJIzAwM9aAYm_QVm8GNm6OqXddmTUuvKAFpPADyZsSjw4d-fSliYAPAswerND1ey4Tr0tF7fADcPskEMHNz2oDGrimdwTEQaPo-bCm8g2hYUecMe335d2X7NhvzEtR2qH9M_0-ainS-XZAsSZ5GlUU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Emeal EZ Zwayne
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Steven Kendall - Ross-Ade Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 5, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the Purdue football game today, Everett was holding up signs, drawing people into dialogue with questions on what is good and does objective reality exists. God's word continues to be preached. We trust that it will not return back void. Continue prayers for more laborers for the harvest as God opens the hearts, eyes and scriptures to the people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt - Sanford Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 4, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jamie, Scott and Rich preached for 2 hours before kick-off. We started an hour late due to no foot traffic early on. We also gave away a lot of Gospel tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Carter Finley Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 4, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Because of the size of our team, we had three preaching spots and tracts going out at each location. We were able to pass out over 500 gospel tracts. The teenagers were a big asset at the game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson - LaVell Edwards Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friday, October 3, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Started out a little rainy. I was a little concerned since I forgot my rain gear. Fortunately, the rain held off. The outreach went pretty well. A few tried to discourage me. One guy hugged me and thanked me for being there. Pretty sure he was LDS. Also had a brief conversation with an LDS teenager, I was able to get a few more tracts out than the last game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Robert - Caesars Superdome
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, October 5, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           &amp;#55357;&amp;#56397; to "Jimmy, Nick, Jameal and David departed Lafourche Parish enroute to New Orleans to proclaim Jesus Christ to the Saints fans. We traveled there in the rain. It was raining hard when we arrived. We checked the weather radar and it was showing more lines of storms coming our way from the low that was in the Gulf of America. So, we cut our losses and went home. ARGH!!! I checked the weather radar when I got home to discover that the center of the low moved and New Orleans was clear. However, the trip was filled with discussions about Jesus Christ. I hope that He was glorified. Still fishing &amp;#55356;&amp;#57251; for men, David "
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt De Jesus - State Farm Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, October 5, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My wife, Briana, and our 3 ½ year old son, Gabriel, joined me as I preached and they handed out tracts. The overall feedback from the crowd was very positive. I received so many high-fives, fist bumps, and people thanking me that we were there, it was almost overwhelming. The day was blessed with the Gospel being preached!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Richard Walker - Memorial Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 4, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Led a great team, lots of interaction and conversations with the crowds, and dozens of Bible tracts were passed out. Some in the crowd were familiar from the last home game; it was great to chat with them and continue the relationship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out to Campus past week
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Sep 29 - Oct 5):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Univ. North Carolina &amp;amp; North Carolina State Univ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tuesday, September 30, 2025 &amp;amp; Thursday, October 02, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for the gospel to go forth clearly on the campus of NC State today. The impact of a gospel sign was clearly evident today at UNC. A young man approached me and said, " Can I ask you about your sign? I have no assurance of my salvation at all." What a great opportunity to share the gospel with this student. Blessed with a good number of gospel conversations at UNC today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson - University of Utah
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thursday, October 02, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           UVU outreach update... 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZXwEyz0eADdOOKm69bmlNf9Irjwoao6ZHZlZcnM4_eQ9KnUaCGkDOHqdIpJA5YsmrinR0nj7fn5gFgwMzgzhMLJ0SfTeXXNRiHson2-OSequgJhpBpOgErDazxgQ1jdPJ-e5brBZrUdO4uEfrggMG_FZtDikl-1sXDm6XzDl2tbPnZefiQi0SyTWdFCZfffBaI&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Advancingthegospelofficial?__cft__[0]=AZXwEyz0eADdOOKm69bmlNf9Irjwoao6ZHZlZcnM4_eQ9KnUaCGkDOHqdIpJA5YsmrinR0nj7fn5gFgwMzgzhMLJ0SfTeXXNRiHson2-OSequgJhpBpOgErDazxgQ1jdPJ-e5brBZrUdO4uEfrggMG_FZtDikl-1sXDm6XzDl2tbPnZefiQi0SyTWdFCZfffBaI&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advancingthegospelofficial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/607402722334295/?__cft__[0]=AZXwEyz0eADdOOKm69bmlNf9Irjwoao6ZHZlZcnM4_eQ9KnUaCGkDOHqdIpJA5YsmrinR0nj7fn5gFgwMzgzhMLJ0SfTeXXNRiHson2-OSequgJhpBpOgErDazxgQ1jdPJ-e5brBZrUdO4uEfrggMG_FZtDikl-1sXDm6XzDl2tbPnZefiQi0SyTWdFCZfffBaI&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ the King Evangelism Prayer Group
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brad Madewell - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thursday, October 02, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There were two good conversations, thankful to the Lord for, at UTC college today. Levi, an Environmental Science major, who we believe is a follower of Christ. Also, another young lady who is a junior Science major. We encouraged her to look to Jesus also. Glory to God for these opportunities today and for being able to preach Christ with brother Gene and brother Bill. Lord Bless.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 10 Oct 2025 06:17:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-sep-29-oct-5</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Sep 22-28</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-sep-22-28</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 - Herewith the schedule for the upcoming home game outreaches (Sep 29- Oct 5), as well as some feedback from evangelists that reached out last week (Sep 22-28)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+6.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+6.2.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+5.1-a8d2224e.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week (Sep 22-28):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Carter Finley Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a team of for men and preached and passed out gospel tracts for three hours. We were thanked by some fellow believers for being there. No real significant gospel conversations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pat Hegarty - Canvas Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mike Henderson and I arrived at Canvas Stadium about 3:45 for the game between the CSU Rams and the WSU Cougars. We decided to set up on the quieter side of the stadium in hopes of being heard clearly. We took turns preaching for about an hour and a half, with many people taking literature, including about 20 copies of the Gospel of John. Many people expressed appreciation for our presence and the bold proclamation of Christ. We also had a few naysayers to whom we pronounced our wish for God's blessing on them and for whom we are praying.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew Redondo - Mountain America Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Had a rare severe rain storm. I thought the game was going to be cancelled but it was not. Mike and I got to preach. The crowds were great but not very receptive. Gave out some tracts but not many. While still close to the main entrance, the police have moved us across the street, so we are not in the best spot anymore but with reasonable access to the crowd. One brother accidentally bit his tongue while preaching and it started to bleed pretty good but he kept on preaching wet and cold!!! Praise the Lord!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long - Mercedes-Benz Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, September 28, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday’s outreach at the home ground of the Atlanta Falcons, played at the Mercedes Benz Stadium, was excellent. Thousands of sports crazy fans and NFL lovers poured passed us to hear the Gospel being preached. We had awesome gospel centered conversations and we distributed hundreds of gospel tracts. Some fans even stopped to chat and thank us for doing what we were doing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt - Sanford Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a huge crowd on Saturday with Alabama being in town to take on UGA. We began preaching at approximately 4:15 and concluded at around 7:15. We distributed numerous tracts and had several meaningful conversations. I even got a hug from a fan as I was preaching. He told me he was proud of me for preaching there (see picture). Of course, we had a couple of nay-sayers from the "But Nation.” If you’re not familiar with the term, it was coined by another evangelist years ago. It refers to people who will say things like, “I appreciate what you are doing, BUT this isn’t the way to reach people.” One guy said we were too loud, and it wasn’t the way to reach people. When asked how he reached people, he replied, “I teach Sunday School.” That’s typical of the But Nation. They accuse the preacher of doing it wrong, and when asked, it is revealed that they don’t reach anyone outside the church with the Gospel. It was a wonderful day with wonderful Brothers!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kevin Tallaksen - Nittany Lions Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had 3 total evangelists and we did evangelism for about 5 hours straight. We spent 3 hours in the tailgate areas having conversations and 2 hours preaching at the gates. We had many amazing conversations and God convicted many of sin and some were seeking repentance and asking incredible questions. God blessed the time!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jerardo Ibarra - NRG Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, September 28, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many gospel tracts went out at Texans game
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Soli Deo Gloria
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jim Thornton - Fortera Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Student interested in Christ and Philosophy. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nick O'Berry - Williams-Brice Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Something is definitely happening. The response of the people at the games this year has been remarkable. I was able to engage in several one-on-ones while I was preaching. People stopped to listen. They wanted to hear what I was saying. I have been praying for this, that God would just invade this nation with the gospel. He is working, and it is evident. Keep preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out to Campus past week (Sep 22-28):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy - Univ. North Carolina &amp;amp; North Carolina State Univ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday, September 22, 2025 &amp;amp; Thursday, September 25, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the gospel to the students at NC State this afternoon. Pray for us as we are back at UNC today proclaiming Jesus. A student admitted to one of our team that You're the fourth Christian that I've met since I thought about taking my life. The Lord is at work. Jesus said, " I have come so that you might have life."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson - University of Utah
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friday, September 26, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At UVU, please pray. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZXGUVrT3Wa3GDrcX1H1H_YvxIC_wLlPw35pwHt9zCbgVHuGpzOzH1BFXNgKvMjpDZ_cgJ7-pepJnFgJ3xO9f90O4i8u87SSNjtGLRXngwYq0xNIJOCqRw71-a7hQeqOqata5BydAONeAaSyzlc5QCYvI-9ax99HdGUXu3WO_K7zUnJQ6Wp6YNlpGTYsTzoaF0M&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Advancingthegospelofficial?__cft__[0]=AZXGUVrT3Wa3GDrcX1H1H_YvxIC_wLlPw35pwHt9zCbgVHuGpzOzH1BFXNgKvMjpDZ_cgJ7-pepJnFgJ3xO9f90O4i8u87SSNjtGLRXngwYq0xNIJOCqRw71-a7hQeqOqata5BydAONeAaSyzlc5QCYvI-9ax99HdGUXu3WO_K7zUnJQ6Wp6YNlpGTYsTzoaF0M&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advancingthegospelofficial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2025 13:32:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-sep-22-28</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Roy Nembhard</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-roy-nembhard</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Roy Nembhard
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lincoln Financial Field
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Roy+Nembhard-c1566983.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, January 11, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Gadiel Suriel, Rafael Torres, James Jordan, Brandon Brian, June Stephane
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The outreach was successful,as we divided the group into 2 separate teams with many holding gospel signs,we had many conversations accompanying the preaching,with many people being ministered to and prayed for.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, January 04, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was the final regular season home game, I set up at my usual spot. Beginning by handing out some tracts for the first 10 mins or so, then preached along with handing out tracts and engaging with about 6 or 7 young people And prayed for about 5 of them. I remained until about 30 mins after the game started, overall this was a fruitful day with no issues to mention
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Due to a snowstorm that blanketed our region, I did not arrive at the stadium until after the halftime mark, during which I spent an hour preaching and handing out tracts to fans that actually started leaving the stadium. In the early part of the third quarter, due to the excessively cold temperatures, overall, the outreach was successful
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Roy+Nembhard+-+SFOI1000.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Friday, November 28, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: Gadiel Suriel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friday's outreach went extremely well. We preached to the fans in front of Citizens Bank Park who were on their way to Lincoln Financial Field, that is directly across the street from the stadium. We also handed out a few hundred tracts, and were able to pray for a few of the fans as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Last night's outreach was a success. I actually ended up doing the outreach alone by the grace of God. The brother that initially offered to go had to cancel at the Last minute,but I decided ito go on with business as usual. As many got a chance to hear the Gospel as I preached mostly on Solomon searching out the real value and purpose on pleasures and riches that will end up leaving us empty,as only Gods presence can. Ring us eternal fulfillment. I had quite a few people come up to me saying they remembered me from past games. I was able to interact with and pray for about 5 young men who acknowledged they were struggling with their lifestyle choices and wanted to serve the Lord. I spent about 4 hrs total between preaching handing out tracts and praying for those that requested or agreed to be prayed for.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: Gadiel Suriel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The outreach was fruitful yesterday. While the foot traffic was a bit lighter than the previous game, we still had a robust crowd that had the opportunity to hear the gospel. This week's crowd was not as open to engaging as much as previous weeks. We did have a good number of people who were not going to the game who willingly wanted to engage after the game was in progress, as well as a few believers who were encouraged, even wanting to take photos with us. We had a group of 6 Gen Zers who requested prayer, and after prayer for them, shared the gospel message with them. On our way to our vehicle after we packed up for the day, we had a few encounters, being able to pray for the individuals and the final one was the most exciting, which we were sure was a divine encounter as we were able to share the word with the gentleman whose name was Anthony. He actually received a word of knowledge during our encounter, which addressed a personal issue he was broken over, then we were able to pray for him and exchanged contact info with him in the hopes of staying in contact with him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, October 5, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: Gadiel Suriel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We started out at 9:30, setting up at a corner directly across from the Lincoln Financial Field. We had a few good conversations, even in the midst of a crowd focused on just getting into the stadium to watch the game. We also handed out plenty of Gospel tracts along with 1 Bible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Roy+Nembhard.png" length="1333281" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Oct 2025 10:10:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-roy-nembhard</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Roy+Nembhard.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Roy+Nembhard.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Keep Your Finger in the Text - 9/30/25</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-9-30-25</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFITT Live Report 9/30/25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Keep Your Finger in the Text:  Opportunities to get built up as a faithful gospel minister.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Providing encouragement and exhortation to gospel ministers preaching in the open air."
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Talking Points for 9/30/25:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel’s "Keep Your Finger in the Text" live report delivers a comprehensive encouragement and training update for gospel ministers preaching in the open air. He highlights key ministry themes, including:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The grand meta-narrative of the Bible as one unified story centered on Jesus Christ, with both Old and New Testaments pointing to His person and work, emphasizing fulfillment rather than replacement.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Practical biblical interpretation principles such as understanding scripture backward (theologically) while reading it forward (chronologically).
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The importance of Christ-centered expository preaching, which focuses on communicating the one main point God intends in a passage.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Invitation to engage in the George Whitfield Preaching Academy, a two-year certificate program designed to build faithful gospel ministers with workshops on message development, biblical interpretation, homiletics, and personal spiritual growth.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Ongoing Monday "Taking Reps" study groups for sermon preparation, and "Preaching That Demands a Response" workshops aiming to blend classical rhetoric with biblical truth to craft persuasive sermons.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For more details and to join the program visit:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg" length="98800" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2025 15:55:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-9-30-25</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Keep Your Finger in the Text - 9/25/25</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-9-25-25</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFITT Live Report 9/25/25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Keep Your Finger in the Text:  Opportunities to get built up as a faithful gospel minister.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Providing encouragement and exhortation to gospel ministers preaching in the open air."
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Talking Points for 9/25/25:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath’s "Keep Your Finger in the Text" live report offers encouragement and practical opportunities for gospel ministers to grow as faithful open-air preachers. He highlights the upcoming Circleville Pumpkin Show outreach (October 15-18, 2025) as a great family-friendly event for beginners to practice preaching and evangelism in a friendly environment. Heath also describes the "Taking Reps" study group—an ongoing Monday night workshop diving deep into biblical texts to build sermon outlines and improve preaching skills.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He outlines the "Preaching That Demands a Response" fall workshop, designed for both new and experienced preachers, focusing on blending classical rhetoric with biblical conviction to move listeners toward a response. The workshop runs through the end of the year on Tuesday evenings and Monday mornings.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath invites preachers to the 2026 George Whitfield Program Fellowship Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee (June 15-19), which will help evangelists refine their ministry, sharpen preaching skills, and receive training on gospel ministry as a way of life. The conference includes prayer, teaching, preaching, and networking opportunities.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For more details and to join the program visit:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg" length="98800" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 26 Sep 2025 12:24:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-9-25-25</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Sep 15-21</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-sep-15-21</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 - Herewith the schedule for the upcoming home game outreaches (Sep 22-28), as well as some feedback from evangelists that reached out last week (Sep 15-21)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+5.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+5.2.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+4.1-ee8e7980.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week (Sep 15-21):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pat Hegarty - Canvas Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mike and I were out at Canvas Stadium for the CSU Rams v the USTA Roadrunners game. I arrived about 5 pm and stayed until about 8:30 pm. Mike had to leave a bit earlier. We were able to preach to the fans for a good portion of that time, leading up to kickoff at 7:30 pm. Our message was about Christ suffering for us so that we would not have to be afraid or troubled when we are called to suffer for righteousness' sake. 1 Peter 3:13 "Who will harm you if you are devoted to doing good?" The answer is that no one can ultimately harm you in that case. Even if you are persecuted for Christ, you are blessed. We pointed out that CK, as someone who strove to interact with people with gentleness and respect as he defended the reason for the hope he had in Christ, was and is a great example of that truth. After the preaching, there were about 5 or 6 students that engaged me in conversation for about 45 minutes. It was a great opportunity. I praise God that my brother Mike could join me and I was blessed by his preaching! Join us if you can! Next home game is on Sep 27th.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry Collins - Bakersfield Memorial Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Though by myself again this week I had a wonderful time passing out many tracks this week. Several Christian’s there also thanks me for being at the game. Had a great conversation with one particular individual who I thought at first was a heckler but he ended up being a seeker and he was very open to the message of the gospel. Also invited him to my church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Richard Walker - Memorial Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I preached and my crew passed out Bible tracts for 2.5 hours. Tens of thousands of people, hundreds of tracts distributed, dozens of gospel conversations initiated.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francisco Nieves - DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great outreach. Lots of positive feedback. Lots of tracts were handed out. We had a wonderful time and God was glorified.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill DOC Schank - US Bank Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, September 21, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise the LORD, the Gospel Outreach at the Minnesota Vikings game yesterday went very well. The Preaching of the Gospel was not hindered. Approximately 70,000 football fans heard the Gospel being preached. Praise GOD, many Christians were encouraged by hearing the Gospel being preached in public. TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!!!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mike Andrews - Bank of America Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, September 21, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mike Andrews open air preached using amplification. Lonnie Davis passed out tracs. We had some discussion with a couple of individuals.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Dawson - Liberty Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today was the University of Memphis vs Arkansas Football Game. Proclaimed the word of The Lord from Mark 7:31-37, The Miracle of Hearing: Reawakening Our Spiritual Senses. Mike &amp;amp; Jenna Fergus had many conversations while I preached. Kobe, a Gen Z student who attends Bellevue Baptist Church, Dr Adrian Rogers' former church, walked up, thanked me and asked if he could pray over me. I said yes. I wish you could have heard Kobe's prayer as well as the look on passersby faces. They have moved the Pre Game Band Concert to the area that I preached at the first game. We moved to the other side of the street, being Faithful Witnesses to the calling of proclaiming The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many heard the word, praying the Lord will open their ears, eyes, mind, souls while giving them understanding and calling them to Himself. That I will be faithful for each home game to proclaim His Gospel. Many came by thanking us for being there. Need more prayer warriors, those willing to have gospel conversations as people pass by &amp;amp; for others who would be willing to proclaim the word during pregame activities.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Crowley - FBC Mortgage Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We have been witnessing to students who face painting last year. We witness near her and Chick-fil-A student will stop to take photos with crows and kids line face painting. How can we expect others to hear our message unless we take the first step to sharethe Glorious Gospel it with them? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/paul.rosbury.3?__cft__[0]=AZU77Gg-ZSnYgHwV-gMUfoZoDv3729AyS7Bld-fz9K5liQ0XbCweH3wfACudjY2NokncqFaxClQPAAB7Q5g-o4hgzhFMcJ6pX8ilBaErF5capJlPJcVoV30bIjFxPglg4NcCSVLYg8w-59jP207lGXIi&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul Rosbury
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/globalnetworkofevangelists?__cft__[0]=AZU77Gg-ZSnYgHwV-gMUfoZoDv3729AyS7Bld-fz9K5liQ0XbCweH3wfACudjY2NokncqFaxClQPAAB7Q5g-o4hgzhFMcJ6pX8ilBaErF5capJlPJcVoV30bIjFxPglg4NcCSVLYg8w-59jP207lGXIi&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Global Network of Evangelists
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/mts.comp?__cft__[0]=AZU77Gg-ZSnYgHwV-gMUfoZoDv3729AyS7Bld-fz9K5liQ0XbCweH3wfACudjY2NokncqFaxClQPAAB7Q5g-o4hgzhFMcJ6pX8ilBaErF5capJlPJcVoV30bIjFxPglg4NcCSVLYg8w-59jP207lGXIi&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mts Comp
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZU77Gg-ZSnYgHwV-gMUfoZoDv3729AyS7Bld-fz9K5liQ0XbCweH3wfACudjY2NokncqFaxClQPAAB7Q5g-o4hgzhFMcJ6pX8ilBaErF5capJlPJcVoV30bIjFxPglg4NcCSVLYg8w-59jP207lGXIi&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/tpusafaith?__cft__[0]=AZU77Gg-ZSnYgHwV-gMUfoZoDv3729AyS7Bld-fz9K5liQ0XbCweH3wfACudjY2NokncqFaxClQPAAB7Q5g-o4hgzhFMcJ6pX8ilBaErF5capJlPJcVoV30bIjFxPglg4NcCSVLYg8w-59jP207lGXIi&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           TPUSA Faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072374030928&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZU77Gg-ZSnYgHwV-gMUfoZoDv3729AyS7Bld-fz9K5liQ0XbCweH3wfACudjY2NokncqFaxClQPAAB7Q5g-o4hgzhFMcJ6pX8ilBaErF5capJlPJcVoV30bIjFxPglg4NcCSVLYg8w-59jP207lGXIi&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Go Stand Speak Ministries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/gotellthem?__cft__[0]=AZU77Gg-ZSnYgHwV-gMUfoZoDv3729AyS7Bld-fz9K5liQ0XbCweH3wfACudjY2NokncqFaxClQPAAB7Q5g-o4hgzhFMcJ6pX8ilBaErF5capJlPJcVoV30bIjFxPglg4NcCSVLYg8w-59jP207lGXIi&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Street Preachers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/lwwotm?__cft__[0]=AZU77Gg-ZSnYgHwV-gMUfoZoDv3729AyS7Bld-fz9K5liQ0XbCweH3wfACudjY2NokncqFaxClQPAAB7Q5g-o4hgzhFMcJ6pX8ilBaErF5capJlPJcVoV30bIjFxPglg4NcCSVLYg8w-59jP207lGXIi&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Living Waters
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doug Renz - Bobby Dodd Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two hours of preaching today at Georgia Tech. A smaller crowd and I met a few Christians today going today to the game. Only one driver shouted at me asking to talk to God to get a different president, then drove off. I concluded once it started raining hard. Glory to God!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tom Brewer - Tiger Field
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           LSU vs SLU Evangelism. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/zoewhite8?__cft__[0]=AZVGNhuz0D2iUoLIZUIeILx2sMAKL4ZYz3qSNFfj-hCPwNKK3Ho4-uINjC0lb0BN0zicxE6FbhjUgk69Igs1ijFis60-e6Sn5nDTah4AdV8FsA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zoe White
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/JClark4755?__cft__[0]=AZVGNhuz0D2iUoLIZUIeILx2sMAKL4ZYz3qSNFfj-hCPwNKK3Ho4-uINjC0lb0BN0zicxE6FbhjUgk69Igs1ijFis60-e6Sn5nDTah4AdV8FsA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jack Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            having a gospel conversation at the LSU vs SLU outreach. Another captive audience beginning to collect while Jack Clark reads the Word of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           LSU vs SLU outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rick Garland - LA Memorial Coliseum
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord was gracious and many took tracts. Good conversations and freedom in our preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grayson Shaw - Allen E. Paulson Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The crowd wasn’t as big for this week, but we were still in an area of good foot traffic, and we ended up splitting the group to cover more ground after about 25 minutes. There was a lot of positive feedback from passerby’s, but we didn’t have as many conversations as last week. We did have a few good ones though, and Grayson, John and Jim Shaw preached messages in the open air.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jerardo Ibarra - NRG Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday, September 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SPORTS FAN OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           TEXANS GAMES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZW0q9E-7Pb3ly1CYXQ3nlqpOkuRhlyeoWInX_jKKFldoKJbNWg544Vv3MdWokbnuEHElYV0Cjzv3pZHJe24Zcj3fUTgXA6YQ1KqhG2N-fiOUgjY1HYudQQZPF44CwOmHNTAWR9C4zlepE_P0OYTqCmwkvc9OnjjVrhUdVINfN8C3J379WlA24RJIZzvTz7xwXA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 25 Sep 2025 14:52:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-sep-15-21</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>What's New This Week, September 15-21, at SFOI.org?</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/what-s-new-this-week-september-15-21-at-sfoi-org</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Videos of the Week Sep 15 to 21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOi Update 9-15-25 "Now's the time to get out"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bill’s SFOI update calls Christians to urgent action in evangelism, highlighting a successful weekend of gospel preaching at major sporting events including UT’s game against Georgia, with 24 evangelists sharing the gospel across the country.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            He emphasizes that national events—such as the recent death of Charlie Kirk—create unique moments for outreach and motivate new conversations, urging listeners to seize such opportunities. Bill encourages believers to join upcoming outreach gatherings in the US, UK, Canada, and Mexico, and to let the love of Christ—not merely group motivation—spur initiative in public ministry.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He also invites supporters to join as monthly partners to help equip and mobilize evangelists, and outlines a full schedule of sporting and festival outreach events for the coming weeks, urging everyone to get involved.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000: Evangelists and Investors
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bill’s "SFOI 1000: Evangelists and Investors" message outlines two core goals for the ministry: mobilizing a thousand evangelists to reach every major stadium and arena worldwide with the gospel, and recruiting a thousand monthly supporters (“investors”) to fund this expanding outreach.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bill emphasizes that SFOI 1000 envisions committed evangelists stationed at hundreds of international venues and urges partners to view their donations as true investments in the salvation of souls. He invites listeners to join with a monthly gift—targeting ten to a hundred dollars—to help launch postcard campaigns to churches in Canada and provide evangelistic materials to front-line preachers.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill closes by expressing confidence that with strategic partnership, these global gospel goals are realistic and achievable.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for evangelists preaching this weekend: https://www.sfoi.org/SFOI-1000-Football#GameSchedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bill’s message is a passionate call to action for campus ministry, urging the church to reach students on university campuses with the gospel.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Drawing inspiration from the attention Charlie Kirk received at a recent campus event, Bill highlights the need for Christian outreach in environments often dominated by secular and anti-Christian influences. He acknowledges and names several faithful campus preachers across the country and encourages others to pray, seek God’s direction, and actively engage with students on nearby campuses.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill’s exhortation centers on the belief that the local church should see college campuses as vital mission fields, urging listeners to join in prayer and outreach for the next generation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Update: 9-19-25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bill’s prayer message invites listeners to support evangelists preaching at college and professional football games over the weekend through focused prayer.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            He asks for prayers for the preachers’ freedom to preach without disruption, for Christians in the crowd to join in the evangelism efforts, and that the message of Christ will be clearly received amidst competing noise and distractions.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Additionally, he prays for repentance and belief among listeners and that these outreach efforts bring glory to God. This prayer is part of a broader ongoing prayer focus throughout the fall season to encourage and support gospel ministry at large sporting events. Listeners are encouraged to engage in prayer as a vital part of the evangelistic mission.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Have a wonderful day preaching today
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bill offers a brief and encouraging message wishing all preachers a wonderful day of ministry. He expresses hope and prayer that the fans they encounter will respond positively and call upon the name of the Lord.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bill mentions he is heading to preach at UT and looks forward to hearing reports and updates on social media. The message is warm, supportive, and motivational for those engaged in gospel outreach.Bill offers a brief and encouraging message wishing all preachers a wonderful day of ministry.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He expresses hope and prayer that the fans they encounter will respond positively and call upon the name of the Lord. Bill mentions he is heading to preach at UT and looks forward to hearing reports and updates on social media. The message is warm, supportive, and motivational for those engaged in gospel outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for evangelists preaching today: https://www.sfoi.org/SFOI-1000-Football#GameSchedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bill’s prayer request calls for ongoing, focused prayer for evangelists preaching the gospel at college football games throughout the day. He asks for prayers that they will have liberty to preach without interference, that fans and local citizens will hear the gospel clearly, and that many will repent and call upon the Lord.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill emphasizes that the ultimate goal is the glory of God through these ministry efforts, encourages continuous prayer for all preachers involved, and shares that he himself is heading to a UT game to preach. This prayer is part of an ongoing campaign to support gospel outreach at major sports events
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 25 Sep 2025 12:56:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/what-s-new-this-week-september-15-21-at-sfoi-org</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Keep Your Finger in the Text - 9/23/25</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-9-23-25</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFITT Live Report 9/23/25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Keep Your Finger in the Text:  Opportunities to get built up as a faithful gospel minister.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Providing encouragement and exhortation to gospel ministers preaching in the open air."
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Talking Points for 9/23/25:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Heath’s "Keep Your Finger in the Text" live report offers training, encouragement, and practical resources for open air preachers, emphasizing Christ-centered preaching and faithful interpretation of scripture. Heath spotlights outreach opportunities for the fall, especially the Circleville Pumpkin Show in Ohio, which provides a supportive environment for both new and experienced evangelists to engage with large crowds and local churches.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He introduces upcoming workshops such as “preaching that demands a response,” blending classical rhetoric with biblical conviction, as well as the George Whitfield Program Fellowship Conference, focused on supporting those pursuing gospel ministry as a vocation. Heath discusses the Bible’s grand narrative, showing how scripture—both Old and New Testament—centers on the person and work of Jesus Christ, and encourages preachers to develop their skills through ongoing study, mentorship, and workshop participation. Listeners are invited to connect for mentoring, feedback, and collaboration in preaching God’s Word in public settings.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For more details and to join the program visit:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg" length="98800" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 25 Sep 2025 12:39:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-9-23-25</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Keep Your Finger in the Text - 9/18/25</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-9-18-25</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFITT Live Report 9/18/25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Keep Your Finger in the Text:  Opportunities to get built up as a faithful gospel minister.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Providing encouragement and exhortation to gospel ministers preaching in the open air."
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Talking Points for 9/18/25:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Heath urges open-air preachers to recommit to the basics of expositional gospel ministry while fostering ongoing encouragement and skill development. Heath highlights the flourishing campus ministry and outreach at sporting events and festivals this fall, and spotlights key opportunities such as the Taking Reps study group, the new “Preaching That Demands a Response” workshop, and next year’s George Whitfield Program Fellowship Conference.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The update emphasizes crafting sermons that faithfully reflect the biblical text, mastering fundamentals like context, organization, and clear communication, and seeking practical community feedback for growth. Listeners are invited to join workshops, pursue mentoring, and consistently engage deeper with God’s Word to proclaim the gospel among believers and unbelievers alike
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For more details and to join the program visit:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg" length="98800" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 25 Sep 2025 12:36:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-9-18-25</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Sep 8-14</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-sep-8-14</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 - Herewith the schedule for the upcoming home game outreaches (Sep 15-21), as well as some feedback from evangelists that reached out last week (Sep 7-14)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+3.1-8d9d391e.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+4.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFB+-+Week+4.2.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week (Sep 7-14):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ken Hisle - Hancock Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Outreach @ Fighting Illini home game sfoi.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Parsons - Bryant-Denny Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           500 tracts passed 4 gospel conversations 2 hours of open air preaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew Cochran - Arcisure Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, September 14, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was hoping a few others would join me, but ended up being just me on the streets for the Steeler game. I opened the season by reading from Proverbs, chapter 1, and then, after reading and preaching a little from that, I went on to John, chapter 5. Had a few people respond positively with God bless you. Other than that, no interactions was a peaceful day. Praise God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brian Ninde - Lucas Oil Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, September 14, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel Proclaimed. Tracts distributed. Conversations had. Prayers administered. Blessed day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Robert - Caesars Superdome
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, September 14, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In New Orleans yesterday, one brother stopped me again to say, "Thank you very much for what you guys are doing." While preaching about Jesus Christ, many people were seen nodding their heads in affirmation. Many others jeered. Several others doubled back to receive the materials we were distributing. Several people approached Lewis to ask for prayer. One man gave me a big hug. Half a case of Bibles and half a case of "13 reasons why you should not commit suicide, and 13 reasons why you should live" were given out. We're still fishing for men, David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doug Renz - Bobby Dodd Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today a sold-out crowd of more than 50,000 Georgia Tech and Clemson fans poured in for the game, and I was there to preach the gospel of Christ crucified. The photos below show fans walking from the Marta train system toward the stadium.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One lady with her two grandchildren stopped and, knowing why I was there, thanked me for speaking the truth about Jesus. Two young men, Ian and Asher, were out campaigning and came over to encourage me, and they were very respectful about the preaching. Out of thousands, only one woman told me to “shut up," and that's exactly what the enemy wants us to do.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus sent His disciples out two by two (Mark 6). Yet many times I’ve gone out alone, though that was not His example. This is my 4th year preaching at Georgia Tech, but with 51,000+ fans streaming in, it is far too big for one person to reach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Next Saturday, September 20th, there will be another game. If you live near Atlanta, would you please pray about joining me? Together, we can proclaim Christ to thousands who need Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZW2gQstYjcaJHmbN8IOgxQoiYL5lXOwjDdgGL4r46mljE6MXUXeFj_hIzrCa0gJuvRuKZIc0S4IeZEf6X2VsJNDK_1mGpPLQymJ_HLZmCwwxRDNvzEBpMLJdpN17pSc6Li0cKCo5k4Bhz8ZgbS37cn-CZsLgzdICgcpQQJQNolCXA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZW2gQstYjcaJHmbN8IOgxQoiYL5lXOwjDdgGL4r46mljE6MXUXeFj_hIzrCa0gJuvRuKZIc0S4IeZEf6X2VsJNDK_1mGpPLQymJ_HLZmCwwxRDNvzEBpMLJdpN17pSc6Li0cKCo5k4Bhz8ZgbS37cn-CZsLgzdICgcpQQJQNolCXA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/dougrenzzz?__cft__[0]=AZW2gQstYjcaJHmbN8IOgxQoiYL5lXOwjDdgGL4r46mljE6MXUXeFj_hIzrCa0gJuvRuKZIc0S4IeZEf6X2VsJNDK_1mGpPLQymJ_HLZmCwwxRDNvzEBpMLJdpN17pSc6Li0cKCo5k4Bhz8ZgbS37cn-CZsLgzdICgcpQQJQNolCXA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doug Renz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tom Sheppard - Alamodome Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, September 14, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This past week, I proclaimed the Gospel at the Alamodome for about 2 1/2 hours as people were walking in. A little bit less crowded than last week, but the gospel was proclaimed nonetheless. Great one-on-one conversations as well.. Then on the Lord's day after Church, we met again in Boerne Square @ Marketdays with many great conversations, a little opposition, but also fruit of genuine reception to the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Steven Kendall - Ross-Ade Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Riley, Everett and Tim join me this week at Purdue University to preach and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. All the fans flowed in for 2 hours, unable to enter due to a supercell storm approaching. Then by God's grace, they all came past us again for another straight 2 hours while lightning and rain poured on us all. Though we got soaked, many heard the gospel and many questions were asked and answered, including how, as Christians and non-Christians, do we respond to what took place this week with Charlie Kirk and his assassinator, Tyler Robinson. Everett is handing out tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tom Brewer - Tiger Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           LSU TIGERS vs Florida Gators outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/zoewhite8?__cft__[0]=AZUEzsjajaJWMsps3d1X8p0yKvQtpsoah0kLM0A1ys4FKxWy_JvKcZ2jOSF2Y_zjC0zxwxbJADqW1_JuzFXspOzdhUg-Ds9B00ojmEZ7I4J7yN9r-ooac9_seUy14CAu2LNGamB7aSSdHw1O2ZbFfLGToza98V4mqMrCL_zs6EwZgQ&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zoe White
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            proclaiming the gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel &amp;amp; Dan Davis - Lambeau Field
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thursday, September 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Being September 11th, as well as all that had happened in the week, gave us the perfect opportunity to provide Biblical answers to the crowds. Many were providing encouragement and saying, "Thank you for being out here." I was able to reconnect with the ticket scalpers, regular musician and transportation driver, Scott, and minister to them after the game started. More tracts were handed out than in previous games. Mike Henke has been a tract machine for the games.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grayson Shaw - Allen E. Paulson Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           First outreach of the year went very well. We had a good team mixed with some seasoned evangelists as well as some who were coming out for the first time. Jim and Grayson Shaw preached in the open air while the rest of the team passed out tracts and had personal conversations. Around 200 tracts were passed out, and RJ said that 3 people gave their lives to the Lord. We also got a few contacts to invite people to church the next day. Overall it was a good first outreach, and we are optimistic that we may be able to have a team of 10+ at some games this year. The Lord is working in Bulloch County GA.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nick O'Berry - Williams-Brice Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           South Carolina didn't disappoint with regard to attendance. Many fans showed up as expected. I was glad to see Anchor Baptist Church was out once again, passing out tracts. The atmosphere felt a little different as I believe recent events sobered people a little. The assassination of Charlie Kirk has been a game changer of sorts. I pray God will use this time to raise up more and more workers for the harvest.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:50:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-sep-8-14</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Keep Your Finger in the Text - 9/16/25</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-9-16-25</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFITT Live Report 9/16/25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Keep Your Finger in the Text:  Opportunities to get built up as a faithful gospel minister.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Providing encouragement and exhortation to gospel ministers preaching in the open air."
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Talking Points for 9/16/25:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Heath’s latest "Keep Your Finger in the Text" update encourages open air preachers to strengthen their gospel ministry through faithful scripture engagement, training, and collaboration. He highlights ongoing “Taking Reps” workshops, where preachers work together on biblical texts like Psalm 50, focusing on practical interpretation and communication skills.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath emphasizes the importance of persuasive preaching that demands a response and previews the upcoming George Whitfield Program Fellowship Conference for gospel ministers in 2026. The update shares reflections from recent outreach events in New York City, Chicago, and Detroit, celebrating new partnerships, fruitful evangelism, and a growing network of committed laborers nationwide. Heath urges listeners to connect for tailored mentoring and join collaborative efforts that equip believers to proclaim God’s Word faithfully in diverse public settings.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For more details and to join the program visit:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg" length="98800" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 17 Sep 2025 11:28:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-9-16-25</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>What's New This Week, September 8-14, at SFOI.org?</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/what-s-new-this-week-sep-8-to-14-at-sfoi-org</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Videos of the Week Sep 8 to 14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Update: 9-8-25 "You have to get started"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bill delivers a motivating message focused on taking the first steps in public evangelism and highlights numerous upcoming SFOI outreach opportunities.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He emphasizes the importance of “getting started” in sharing the gospel at major events, including college and pro football games, and encourages listeners to join the SFOI 1000 schedule, which spans numerous games nationwide.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Bill outlines practical advice for new evangelists, from scouting suitable preaching locations near stadiums to overcoming initial fear, and reiterates the value of learning through direct action rather than study alone.
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;b&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOi Update: 9-12-25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/b&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bill covers several key areas for SFOI, including a call to prioritize campus ministry, highlights of upcoming outreach events, and practical resources for evangelists. Bill urges the Christian community to see college campuses as urgent mission fields, inspired by the impact and legacy of Charlie Kirk among students.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            He lists numerous planned outreach opportunities at football games, city festivals, and international events such as preaching in London and at Mexico City’s Formula One race. Bill also promotes the George Whitfield program for full-time evangelists and discusses useful tools like waterproof Bibles and functional backpacks for outdoor ministry.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The message encourages prayer, active participation, and readiness to seize gospel opportunities wherever possible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Campus Ministry - An exhortation to go
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bill’s message is a passionate call to action for campus ministry, urging the church to reach students on university campuses with the gospel.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Drawing inspiration from the attention Charlie Kirk received at a recent campus event, Bill highlights the need for Christian outreach in environments often dominated by secular and anti-Christian influences. He acknowledges and names several faithful campus preachers across the country and encourages others to pray, seek God’s direction, and actively engage with students on nearby campuses.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill’s exhortation centers on the belief that the local church should see college campuses as vital mission fields, urging listeners to join in prayer and outreach for the next generation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Sun, 14 Sep 2025 14:15:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/what-s-new-this-week-sep-8-to-14-at-sfoi-org</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Week Sep 1-7</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-sep-1-7</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith the schedule for the SFOI 1000 evangelists reaching out Week 2 of the College Football league and Week 1 of the NFL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sep 1-7, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/College+Football+Schedule+-+Week+2.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/College+Football+Schedule+-+Week+2.2.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/College+Football+Schedule+-+Week+2.3.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+Week+1.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from the evangelists who reached out the past week:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long - Mercedes-Benz Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday, Sep 7, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a wonderful, busy outreach to the Falcons and NFL Fans. I preached with Doug Renz and we distributed hundreds of Gospel Tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long+-+SFOI1000-6.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mason Goodknight &amp;amp; Ryan Clark - Jones AT&amp;amp;T Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, Sep 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a great time preaching the gospel and handing out hundreds of gospel tracts at the U of O vs. Oklahoma State game. Thousands heard or read the law and gospel truth. We had positive things like a lady thanking me and giving me a hug, and negative things like the young man who tried to steal our amp. Overall a good time!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tom Brewer - Tiger Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, Sep 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           LSU vs La Tech outreach began around 3:30 with great weather and a steady stream of fans walking to Tiger Stadium (aka Death Valley). Plenty of tracts were passed out. Zoe, Grady, Jeffery, and I all took a turn at the microphone to proclaim the good news.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Day - Jordan-Hare Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, Sep 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is a surety to be found, an absolute, that the sun will give you warmth, if you do not eat, you will starve, if you, your children, your best friend to your worst enemy die without Christ, will most certainly perish in hell. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord is kind and many tracts were given out, conversations about the Lord, and many heard through the public proclamation of it. Amen, the Lord has saved us to tell us His marvelous deed
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day+-+SFOI1000-1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tom Sheppard - Alamodome Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, Sep 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a group of six adults and one infant that joined us for 2 1/2 hours of street of evangelism. We had great conversations one on one police officers cooperation was excellent. The gospel was preached.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Sep 2025 09:58:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-sep-1-7</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Keep Your Finger in the Text - 9/9/25</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-9-9-25</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFITT Live Report 9/9/25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Keep Your Finger in the Text:  Opportunities to get built up as a faithful gospel minister.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Providing encouragement and exhortation to gospel ministers preaching in the open air."
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Talking Points for 9/9/25:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - What does God want from His people? What does God need from His people? What do His people need from Him?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - These are often asked questions in order to better understand God and how to live in the knowledge of His presence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For more details and to join the program visit:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg" length="98800" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:40:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-9-9-25</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Tuesday Morning Update:</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/tuesday-morning-update</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tuesday Morning Update: 8-5-25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 Football
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           College Campus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Sep 2025 11:06:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/tuesday-morning-update</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI Videos of the Week</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-videos-of-the-week</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Videos of the Week
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 Football this weekend: Aug 15-1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Taste of Chicago: Sept 5-7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           London, England: Oct 10-20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Sep 2025 11:06:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-videos-of-the-week</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evangelists Needed for Uganda Mission: Join SFOI’s East Africa Outreach</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/evangelists-needed-for-uganda-mission-join-sfois-east-africa-outreach</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists Needed for Uganda Mission: Join SFOI’s East Africa Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach International (SFOI) has a new opportunity for evangelists to travel to Uganda this October and help launch open air ministry in Eastern Africa.  Watch the video below for more details!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Sep 2025 12:33:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/evangelists-needed-for-uganda-mission-join-sfois-east-africa-outreach</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Please Join SFOI’s Outreach Weekend with Prayer and Support</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/please-join-sfois-outreach-weekend-with-prayer-and-support</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please Join SFOI’s Outreach Weekend with
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer and Support
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. Adams invites you to join him in prayer for the 4 events this weekend plus the SFOI 1000 football preaching.  Watch the video below for more details!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 29 Aug 2025 11:39:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/please-join-sfois-outreach-weekend-with-prayer-and-support</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Jim Thornton</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-jim-thornton</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Jim Thornton
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fortera Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jim+Thornton-138f630d.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 08, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Student interested in Christ and Philosophy. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           APSU today at the football game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jim+Thornton-138f630d.png" length="1380905" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:37:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-jim-thornton</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jim+Thornton-138f630d.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jim+Thornton-138f630d.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Week Aug 25-31</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-aug-25-31</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith the schedule for the SFOI 1000 evangelists reaching out Week 1 of the College Football league,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Aug 25-31, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/College+Football+Schedule+-+Week+1.1-3f288900.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/College+Football+Schedule+-+Week+1.2.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith feedback from Gerry Collins who reached out the past week:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry Collins - Bakersfield College
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thursday, Aug 21, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was the first game of the season. It was a scrimmage game with lower than normal attendance. Almost 100% of those attending received tracts. Because it was a free scrimmage game there was no worker at the entrance to the stadium and I was able to place a tract in everyone’s hand as they entered. I was able to have some conversation with one man who appeared to be caught up into the Hebrew Roots movement. Next event I hope to have some brothers with me at the event.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gerry+Collins+-+SFOI1000-3.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 25 Aug 2025 22:26:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-aug-25-31</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Monday Update Aug 25, 2025</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/monday-update-aug-25-2025</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday Update
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Aug 25, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Would you join the Monday evening prayer time at
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           7 PM EST
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Call: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           267-807-9611
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When prompted, enter the code: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           806009#
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you have never called in, you will be greeted by Rev. Bill Adams and given instructions for the call. The call should last around 30 minutes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please call in at
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
            6:55 PM so the call can begin on time. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Please text any questions you have to Rev. Bill Adams at
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:423-724-7500" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           423-724-7500
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you for praying!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 - NFL &amp;amp; CFB
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Would you pray about joining in SFOI 1000 home football games by committing to preach at every home college and/or professional game in your area for this Fall season?  Click on the links below to look for stadiums in your area:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/nfl-stadiums" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           NFL Stadiums
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/college-football-stadiums" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           College Stadiums
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For more info on this week's outreaches, and the join one of the teams, click on the banner:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/SFOI-1000-Football#GameSchedule" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+NFL+-+CFBl.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Upcoming Events
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Would you pray about joining in SFOI's upcoming events?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For more info on an event, click on the relevant banner:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFITT
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText-takingReps" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Taking+Reps+-+Ps+50.001.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/pucel_heath" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Heath Pucel
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            invites you to join the new Taking Reps study session - Wisdom from Psalm 50.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What does God want from His people?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What does God need from His people?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What do His people need from Him?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These are often asked questions in order to better understand God and how to live in the knowledge of His presence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We will answer these questions and more as we seek the wisdom of Psalm 50 in our new Taking Reps study session, which begins Monday, August 4, at 7 p.m. CT.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Register to join us at 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText-takingReps" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
          
             https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText-takingReps
            &#xD;
        &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Air SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Air SFOI's mission is to work with evangelists in non Western nations. The goal is for 2 - 5 evangelists to travel to the city where the local evangelist lives; work with them to get their open air ministry started; then return home.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Air SFOI is not designed to specifically operate around a sporting event, concert or festival but simply work with the local evangelist during a good time for them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Air SFOI is looking for men who see this mission as a viable need, who are spiritually and physically prepared, accommodations and travel could be challenging or informal and have or can obtain the necessary travel documents.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Calendar to follow soon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist highlight:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/gonzales_ben"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Toy.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe, originally from Shillington, PA, committed his life to Christ in 1982 while earning a degree in Economics from Millersville University. After working briefly as an accountant, he pursued ministry training, launching a street outreach in Reading called Inner City Campaigners, followed by a youth ministry, The Source.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            He studied at Evangelical Seminary, became a licensed preacher in 1985, and married Wendy in 1986. They raised five sons, homeschooling from 1991–2013, and now enjoy daughters-in-law and grandchildren. Joe served with Open Air Campaigners (1988–2000) and later founded Open Air Ministries, focusing on evangelism in Philadelphia, Camden, and beach resorts.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Since 2021, he and Wendy minister in Raleigh, NC, reaching local events, abortion clinics, bus stations, and universities, while also traveling nationwide to proclaim the gospel at major events.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you live in the Raleigh, NC area and are interested to join Joe contact him directly:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="tel:(610) 324-1671"&gt;&#xD;
        
            (610) 324-1671
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="mailto:oamphilly@aol.com"&gt;&#xD;
        
            oamphilly@aol.com
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 25 Aug 2025 22:07:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/monday-update-aug-25-2025</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">,sfoi-weekly-update</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Week Aug 18-24</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-aug-18-to-24</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            CFB
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Week 0
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Aug 18-24, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/College+Football+Schedule+-+Week+0.1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            NFL
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preseason Week 3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Aug 18-24, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Schedule+-+PreSeason+-+Week+3.1-d9423c7d.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry Collins - Bakersfield College
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry Collins show the area where he is reaching out at the Bakersfield home game stadium.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Contact Gerry to join him this Thursday - click
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/collins_gerry" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           here
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Coble - Tennessee Titans
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Coble+3.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            John Coble reaching out at one of the Tennessee Titans home games.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Contact John to join him this Friday - click
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/coble_john" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           here
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave Doerman - Cincinnati Bengals
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Dave+Doerman.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Dave Doerman (right in the picture above) is preaching at the Cincinnati Bengals game this upcoming weekend.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             ﻿
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Contact Dave to join him this Saturday - click
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/doerman_david" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           here
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel - Green Bay Packers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel gives an update of an outreach on Nov 28, 2024 at a Green Bay Packers Game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Contact Heath to join him this Saturday - click
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/pucel_heath" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           here
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 Aug 2025 20:14:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-week-aug-18-to-24</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">,#sfoi1000</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - John Parsons</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-john-parsons</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: John Parsons
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bryant-Denny Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Parsons.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: Al Baker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Al preached for a few hours. He had one young man watch him preach the entire time and shared a good conversation with him afterwards. The young man had apparently been converted through open-air preaching a few years beforehand.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 08, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: Jacob Phillips
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We preached about 45 minutes and passed tracts for several hours. We had 5 good dialogues with individuals and got out 270 tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: Jacob Phillips
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We walked a giant loop around campus and engaged as many as the Lord allowed to pass tracts and engage in gospel conversations. We were able to get almost all the materials we brought with us out! Praise the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Stewart Dalton Stern Braden Rue John King
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           500 tracts passed 4 gospel conversations 2 hours of open air preaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Dalton Stern
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We attended the University of Alabama's 1st home game against ULM. We totally about an hour of preaching and several hours of tracts passing and engaging people 1 on 1. We had a handful of gospel conversations, several belligerent hecklers, and many encouragements. I estimate between 7,000 and 10,000 people heard the preached word during our outing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Parsons.png" length="1425784" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 Aug 2025 17:42:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-john-parsons</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Parsons.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Parsons.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Monday Update Aug 18, 2025</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/monday-morning-update-8-18-25</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday Update
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Aug 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Would you join the Monday evening prayer time at
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           7 PM EST
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Call: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           267-807-9611
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When prompted, enter the code: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           806009#
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you have never called in, you will be greeted by Rev. Bill Adams and given instructions for the call. The call should last around 30 minutes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please call in at
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
            6:55 PM so the call can begin on time. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Please text any questions you have to Rev. Bill Adams at
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:423-724-7500" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           423-724-7500
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you for praying!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 - NFL &amp;amp; CFB
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Would you pray about joining in SFOI 1000 home football games by committing to preach at every home college and/or professional game in your area for this Fall season?  Click on the links below to look for stadiums in your area:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/nfl-stadiums" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           NFL Stadiums
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/college-football-stadiums" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           College Stadiums
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For more info on this week's outreaches, and the join one of the teams, click on the banner:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/SFOI-1000-Football#GameSchedule" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+NFL+-+CFBl.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Upcoming Events
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Would you pray about joining in SFOI's upcoming events?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For more info on an event, click on the relevant banner:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFITT
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText-takingReps" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Taking+Reps+-+Ps+50.001.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/pucel_heath" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Heath Pucel
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            invites you to join the new Taking Reps study session - Wisdom from Psalm 50.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What does God want from His people?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What does God need from His people?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What do His people need from Him?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These are often asked questions in order to better understand God and how to live in the knowledge of His presence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We will answer these questions and more as we seek the wisdom of Psalm 50 in our new Taking Reps study session, which begins Monday, August 4, at 7 p.m. CT.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Register to join us at 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText-takingReps" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
          
             https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText-takingReps
            &#xD;
        &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Air SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Air SFOI's mission is to work with evangelists in non Western nations. The goal is for 2 - 5 evangelists to travel to the city where the local evangelist lives; work with them to get their open air ministry started; then return home.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Air SFOI is not designed to specifically operate around a sporting event, concert or festival but simply work with the local evangelist during a good time for them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Air SFOI is looking for men who see this mission as a viable need, who are spiritually and physically prepared, accommodations and travel could be challenging or informal and have or can obtain the necessary travel documents.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Calendar to follow soon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist highlight:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ben Gonzales
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/gonzales_ben"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ben-Gonzales1-cf04f351.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Ben Gonzales serves as an evangelist in Nashville, Tennessee with a heart for sharing the gospel through open-air preaching, one-on-one conversations, and literature distribution.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Ben leads weekly evangelistic outreaches in the heart of downtown Nashville, gathering with friends every Friday to preach and engage a constantly changing crowd of tourists and locals. On Saturdays, he brings gospel literature to Centennial Park and seeks to reach people from all walks of life.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ben is also actively involved with Sports Fan Outreach events, and leads the annual Music City Grand Prix outreach during one of Nashville’s largest gatherings. This year, the outreach is scheduled for August 29–31, with evangelists lodging at YMCA Camp Widjiwagan and preaching Christ over two main days, with an optional third day for early arrivals.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you are interested to join Ben contact him directly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Contact Ben for more info:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="mailto:benjamingonzales1983@gmail.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            benjamingonzales1983@gmail.com
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="tel:6156745267" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            615-674-5267
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 16 Aug 2025 15:20:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/monday-morning-update-8-18-25</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">sfoi-weekly-update</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Brian Moody</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-brian-moody</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Brian Moody
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           S.B. Ballard Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brian+Moody-35936211.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brian+Moody-35936211.png" length="1001911" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2025 16:52:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-brian-moody</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brian+Moody.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brian+Moody-35936211.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Doug Renz</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-doug-renz</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Doug Renz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bobby Dodd Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/renz_doug"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Doug+Renz.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Doug's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Carol and Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3 hours of preaching and gospel tracts. Fall football at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta brought thousands of fans across our path where preaching the Gospel drew many over for great conversations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Thank you for praying . Out for 3 hours preaching to Marta patrons attending the Georgia Tech game as they passed by. I met Emory who is a Christian and stopped by wanting to learn how to not be fearful of sharing his faith. He lives near
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/stirling.long.5?__cft__[0]=AZWhbn9KK5vTHSLg7ZhDiGH6AHDFjIIYhTZkgxZSPlZNxTjPjghHHvb8fKG-PYjqqpRuqMLmouW8lpdKWmuolF_wHPY7GGeEzKwmCIPVgtU3H6QF_CDSZ9210Zv3Mj3Yxq_oZu3hVmKi4I3jq-YzGPS5M-xdNsSQdp1YNgF4KUE9eQ&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and we hope to make a connection and encourage his faith. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZWhbn9KK5vTHSLg7ZhDiGH6AHDFjIIYhTZkgxZSPlZNxTjPjghHHvb8fKG-PYjqqpRuqMLmouW8lpdKWmuolF_wHPY7GGeEzKwmCIPVgtU3H6QF_CDSZ9210Zv3Mj3Yxq_oZu3hVmKi4I3jq-YzGPS5M-xdNsSQdp1YNgF4KUE9eQ&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sportsfanoutreach?__cft__[0]=AZWhbn9KK5vTHSLg7ZhDiGH6AHDFjIIYhTZkgxZSPlZNxTjPjghHHvb8fKG-PYjqqpRuqMLmouW8lpdKWmuolF_wHPY7GGeEzKwmCIPVgtU3H6QF_CDSZ9210Zv3Mj3Yxq_oZu3hVmKi4I3jq-YzGPS5M-xdNsSQdp1YNgF4KUE9eQ&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/heath.pucel?__cft__[0]=AZWhbn9KK5vTHSLg7ZhDiGH6AHDFjIIYhTZkgxZSPlZNxTjPjghHHvb8fKG-PYjqqpRuqMLmouW8lpdKWmuolF_wHPY7GGeEzKwmCIPVgtU3H6QF_CDSZ9210Zv3Mj3Yxq_oZu3hVmKi4I3jq-YzGPS5M-xdNsSQdp1YNgF4KUE9eQ&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two hours of preaching today at Georgia Tech. A smaller crowd and I met a few Christians today going today to the game. Only one driver shouted at me asking to talk to God to get a different president, then drove off. I concluded once it started raining hard. Glory to God!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today a sold-out crowd of more than 50,000 Georgia Tech and Clemson fans poured in for the game, and I was there to preach the gospel of Christ crucified. The photos below show fans walking from the Marta train system toward the stadium.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One lady with her two grandchildren stopped and, knowing why I was there, thanked me for speaking the truth about Jesus. Two young men, Ian and Asher, were out campaigning and came over to encourage me, and they were very respectful about the preaching. Out of thousands, only one woman told me to “shut up," and that's exactly what the enemy wants us to do.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus sent His disciples out two by two (Mark 6). Yet many times I’ve gone out alone, though that was not His example. This is my 4th year preaching at Georgia Tech, but with 51,000+ fans streaming in, it is far too big for one person to reach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Next Saturday, September 20th, there will be another game. If you live near Atlanta, would you please pray about joining me? Together, we can proclaim Christ to thousands who need Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZW2gQstYjcaJHmbN8IOgxQoiYL5lXOwjDdgGL4r46mljE6MXUXeFj_hIzrCa0gJuvRuKZIc0S4IeZEf6X2VsJNDK_1mGpPLQymJ_HLZmCwwxRDNvzEBpMLJdpN17pSc6Li0cKCo5k4Bhz8ZgbS37cn-CZsLgzdICgcpQQJQNolCXA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZW2gQstYjcaJHmbN8IOgxQoiYL5lXOwjDdgGL4r46mljE6MXUXeFj_hIzrCa0gJuvRuKZIc0S4IeZEf6X2VsJNDK_1mGpPLQymJ_HLZmCwwxRDNvzEBpMLJdpN17pSc6Li0cKCo5k4Bhz8ZgbS37cn-CZsLgzdICgcpQQJQNolCXA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/dougrenzzz?__cft__[0]=AZW2gQstYjcaJHmbN8IOgxQoiYL5lXOwjDdgGL4r46mljE6MXUXeFj_hIzrCa0gJuvRuKZIc0S4IeZEf6X2VsJNDK_1mGpPLQymJ_HLZmCwwxRDNvzEBpMLJdpN17pSc6Li0cKCo5k4Bhz8ZgbS37cn-CZsLgzdICgcpQQJQNolCXA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doug Renz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Doug+Renz.png" length="2628418" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:58:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-doug-renz</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Doug+Renz.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Doug+Renz.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Mark Jasa</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-mark-jasa</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Mark Jasa
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rose Bowl Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+-+Mark+Jasa-0409fc8b.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+-+Mark+Jasa-0409fc8b.png" length="1358921" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:36:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-mark-jasa</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+-+Mark+Jasa-0409fc8b.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+-+Mark+Jasa-0409fc8b.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Ken Hisle</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-ken-hisle</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Ken Hisle
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hancock Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/hisle_ken"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ken+Hisle.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Ken's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined:  Joel McKinney and Jeff Haab
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “How many people did we lead to the Lord today?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Everyone (hundreds) who walked past the preaching of God’s call to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The good news went out through tract distribution and the open air proclamation &amp;#55357;&amp;#56911; with brothers 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeff and Joel. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sfoi 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined:  Joel McKinney and Jeff Haab
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Outreach @ Fighting Illini home game
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExNW1HQ2l1ZzZ6a2RzTGhWcAEeQLJrhSnt-nBB_HSGxRHzVcBEBGFtcs8S2qeud3mHsJu7MzPyMeiDVesvfcs_aem_2gJ8-QbtyIqNZx32HB4f7A" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           sfoi.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Friday, August 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) attended: Ken Hisle
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preached for an hour to huge crowds.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ken+Hisle.png" length="1413806" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:10:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-ken-hisle</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ken+Hisle.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ken+Hisle.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI Update: 8-5-25 "Why travel to preach?"</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-update-8-5-25-why-travel-to-preach</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Update:  8-5-25 "Why Travel to Preach?"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Rev. Adams invites evangelists to participate in the SFOI 1000 Football program; talks about the benefits to travel to preach and shares preaching opportunities at sports events and concerts for the next 3 days.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Aug 2025 14:29:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-update-8-5-25-why-travel-to-preach</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Invite - Nick O'Berry</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-invite-nick-o-berry</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 Football - Southern States
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Invite - Nick O'Berry
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Atlanta Labor Day Weekend
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/oberry_nick" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nick O'Berry
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    
          who preaches at the University of South Carolina games invites SFOI 1000 evangelists to join us in Atlanta Labor Day Weekend to preach at 2 college football games.
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+NFL+-+CFBl.png" length="2492547" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2025 21:34:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-invite-nick-o-berry</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+NFL+-+CFBl.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+NFL+-+CFBl.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Keep Your Finger in the Text - 7/29/25</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-7-29-25</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFITT Live Report 7/29/25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Keep Your Finger in the Text:  Opportunities to get built up as a faithful gospel minister.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Providing encouragement and exhortation to gospel ministers preaching in the open air."
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Talking Points for 7/29/25:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - How do we keep the text in control over our presupposes and frameworks?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - We ask several questions of 2 Timothy 2:2 as our example to see how our lenses play a part in understanding what God is communicating in this text.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For more details and to join the program visit:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg" length="98800" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2025 19:18:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/keep-your-finger-in-the-text-7-29-25</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI Monday Update</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-monday-morning-update</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday Update
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Aug 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Would you join the Monday evening prayer time at
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           7 PM EST
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Call: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           267-807-9611
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When prompted, enter the code: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           806009#
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you have never called in, you will be greeted by Rev. Bill Adams and given instructions for the call. The call should last around 30 minutes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please call in at
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
            6:55 PM so the call can begin on time. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Please text any questions you have to Rev. Bill Adams at
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:423-724-7500" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           423-724-7500
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you for praying!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Upcoming Events
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Would you pray about joining in SFOI's upcoming events?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For more info on an event, click on the relevent banner:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFITT
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText-takingReps" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Taking+Reps+-+Ps+50.001.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/pucel_heath" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Heath Pucel
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            invites you to join the new Taking Reps study session - Wisdom from Psalm 50.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What does God want from His people?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What does God need from His people?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What do His people need from Him?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These are often asked questions in order to better understand God and how to live in the knowledge of His presence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We will answer these questions and more as we seek the wisdom of Psalm 50 in our new Taking Reps study session, which begins Monday, August 4, at 7 p.m. CT.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Register to join us at 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText-takingReps" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
          
             https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText-takingReps
            &#xD;
        &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Air SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Air SFOI's mission is to work with evangelists in non Western nations. The goal is for 2 - 5 evangelists to travel to the city where the local evangelist lives; work with them to get their open air ministry started; then return home.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Air SFOI is not designed to specifically operate around a sporting event, concert or festival but simply work with the local evangelist during a good time for them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Air SFOI is looking for men who see this mission as a viable need, who are spiritually and physically prepared, accommodations and travel could be challenging or informal and have or can obtain the necessary travel documents.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Calendar to follow soon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist highlight:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeremy Chong
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/chong_jeremy" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jeremy+Chong+1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeremy Chong grew up in New York City and is passionate about urban ministry and evangelism. Urban ministry gives the evangelist access to millions of people, representing almost every nation on earth. With more and more people moving to big cities across the globe, it is vital that the church goes fishing where the fish are. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Jeremy has been leading weekly evangelistic outreaches in Chicago since 2018. His team,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.reformationchicago.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reformation Chicago
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            , meets in the city and splits up into small groups for conversational evangelism, open-air preaching, and literature distribution.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            In 2022, the Lord enabled the team to begin a bible study in Chicago for the sake of providing discipleship, with the hope of growing into a reformed church plant. The group has been growing since then, and the plan and hope is for a new OPC church plant to launch in 2026 in Chicago.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Read more about Reformation Chicago here:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.reformationchicago.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.reformationchicago.com/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Jeremy will also be leading the team for the
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/taste-of-chicago" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Taste of Chicago
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            outreach event.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Register for the Taste of Chicago outreach event here:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://info.sfoi.org/new-registration" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://info.sfoi.org/new-registration
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Contact Jeremy for more info:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="mailto:jeremychong22@gmail.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            jeremychong22@gmail.com
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="tel:9177172428" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            917-717-2428
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg" length="71014" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2025 17:44:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-monday-morning-update</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1+SFOI+Logo.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Town Square Gospel Outreach</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/town-square-gospel-outreach</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Town Square Gospel Outreach - 8-2-25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569052364123&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXy5E-MuPZg3GuXAYnADG1HVkMnYiLgMsW66Y3COG67fFOSxvn5e6EGh7cSi4BQPIMWi9OIgqGmgsiIgnhkzxdWkY4L85Wr1wB7Mtf5QyewnjtvEHoCW-bK_IqakEecLV9sAA4e-v_GfgvcIn74mYNF&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gary Jones
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and the Town Square Gospel Outreach Team from Saturday.  Pray for the Lord's work in Bournemouth. Large group of preachers are there this week for 4 days from:  United Beach Mission. Guys from all over the UK. (
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ubm.org.uk/bournemouthca-calendar/week-1?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEwUkl6cXJiaEpaeVlhdWJxegEeTvbG448Iu_cjh0M-xh68rI6T0BFnhgLEndG1WFfpXdC-KSEd5iVht2DKWmU_aem_JFfRbEEAO8D7NmPUpl_mgA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ubm.org.uk/bournemouthca-calendar/week-1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            )
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/TSGO+-+UK+Bournemouth.jpg" length="105171" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:56:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/town-square-gospel-outreach</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/TSGO+-+UK+Bournemouth.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/TSGO+-+UK+Bournemouth.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Tom Sheppard</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-tom-sheppard</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Tom Sheppard
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alamodome Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Tom+Sheppard-33b901fd.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Debbie
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Very hot day - we stayed out 2.5 hours and met several believers who encouraged us in proclaiming the gospel.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Leo, Ricky, Grace, Ian, Mason, Max, Debbie, Eddie, Daniel A., Robert, Daniel V.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This past week, I proclaimed the Gospel at the Alamodome for about 2 1/2 hours as people were walking in. A little bit less crowded than last week, but the gospel was proclaimed nonetheless. Great one-on-one conversations as well.. Then on the Lord's day after Church, we met again in Boerne Square @ Marketdays with many great conversations, a little opposition, but also fruit of genuine reception to the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/openairtheology?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUFOj-RAlnTO2ibTZsw9cStR28KYXeP8yX8EKd9P_2SFvYydEdf8vaCQ-uO_n88uBLDpab9OPola5yDEyaK4RDC0-qihoYm_-qlKxh7C1O54zVfcImAPYdYjhTD9Ese4sP12tdoyNACG9IAfQgJ5fm5xTFzTPJxfeLh8_EBM5ZYVklAUR7YUv-MfTcsnQchn3Q&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #openairtheology
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZUFOj-RAlnTO2ibTZsw9cStR28KYXeP8yX8EKd9P_2SFvYydEdf8vaCQ-uO_n88uBLDpab9OPola5yDEyaK4RDC0-qihoYm_-qlKxh7C1O54zVfcImAPYdYjhTD9Ese4sP12tdoyNACG9IAfQgJ5fm5xTFzTPJxfeLh8_EBM5ZYVklAUR7YUv-MfTcsnQchn3Q&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExNW1HQ2l1ZzZ6a2RzTGhWcAEeNLbxbdWkHGLbzoOYtTjzRsuwJlWcVKONip1H_TnqwbEVID71Z6f69IflQZA_aem_GV70A43x5piaxSuFJyeEwg" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           www.sfoi.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           8 Gospel laborers making Much of our King at the Alamodome. What a privilege it is to participate with Gods people in proclaiming the Good News!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZXuNVW8iMxU-dAnUXP4e-ndOJZAJXpNqDe1m5qZCTIToo_EUjtcVwLtOm8ab1jbjiSNvbjITttqLawB5eIF4rE4z8OS83BYMr2qh0my0r9WTZUG3joLqW3kWvaCm2xhqzfraylQpjaJcSbD-nCaCjqWsEABLYzwfQLdkU47xfOazstgt8JycSiQGZIxzSkXLE8&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/openairtheology?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXuNVW8iMxU-dAnUXP4e-ndOJZAJXpNqDe1m5qZCTIToo_EUjtcVwLtOm8ab1jbjiSNvbjITttqLawB5eIF4rE4z8OS83BYMr2qh0my0r9WTZUG3joLqW3kWvaCm2xhqzfraylQpjaJcSbD-nCaCjqWsEABLYzwfQLdkU47xfOazstgt8JycSiQGZIxzSkXLE8&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #openairtheology
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Tom, Debbie, Leticia, Ricky, Grace, Mason
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a group of six adults and one infant that joined us for 2 1/2 hours of street of evangelism. We had great conversations one on one police officers cooperation was excellent. The gospel was preached.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Tom+Sheppard-33b901fd.png" length="1419032" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2025 20:42:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-tom-sheppard</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Tom+Sheppard-33b901fd.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Tom+Sheppard-33b901fd.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Save the date!</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/2026-save-the-date</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2026 Upcoming Outreach Events
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Save+the+date.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord willing, SFOI will reach out in the first half of 2026 at the events listed below:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            (Preliminary dates for Jan - Jun). 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Would you pray to join as we preach Christ and minister to the fans and local citizens?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             Register here to join any outreach:
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://info.sfoi.org/new-registration" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
          
             https://info.sfoi.org/new-registration
            &#xD;
        &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Save+the+date.png" length="256581" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2025 15:44:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/2026-save-the-date</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Save+the+date.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Save+the+date.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>KYFITT - Taking Reps - New Study Session</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kyfitt-taking-reps-psalm-50</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFITT - TAKING REPS
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           New Study Session
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Taking+Reps+-+Ps+50.001.jpeg"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/pucel_heath" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Heath Pucel
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            invites you to join the new
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Taking Reps
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            study session - Wisdom from Psalm 50.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             What does God want from His people?
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             What does God need from His people?
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What do His people need from Him?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These are often asked questions in order to better understand God and how to live in the knowledge of His presence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We will answer these questions and more as we seek the
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           wisdom of Psalm 50
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            in our new
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Taking Reps
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            study session, which begins Monday, August 4, at 7 p.m. CT.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             Register to join us at
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText-takingReps" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
          
             https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText-takingReps
            &#xD;
        &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Taking+Reps+-+Ps+50.001.jpeg" length="104632" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2025 13:30:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kyfitt-taking-reps-psalm-50</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Taking+Reps+-+Ps+50.001.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Taking+Reps+-+Ps+50.001.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Southern States Kickoff!</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-southern-states-kickoff</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI 1000 Football
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Southern States Kickoff 
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
            Atlanta Aug 30 - 31
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Above Nick O'Berry invites you to the Kickoff in Atlanta for the SFOI 1000 Football Program in the Southern States. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             ﻿
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Lord willing the SFOI 1000 Football Season for the Southeast is having a two day skickoff in Atlanta for 2 games at Mercedes Benz Stadium. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Can you join us?  Lodging is available free beginning Friday night at the Gym of Prays Mill Baptist Church. Conact Nick to confirm you will be in attanedance: 803-215-3829
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday:  Noon. UT vs. Syracuse
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.mercedesbenzstadium.com/events/aflac-kickoff-game--syracuse-vs-tennessee
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday: 3:00 PM. South Carolina vs. VA Tech.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.mercedesbenzstadium.com/events/aflac-kickoff-game--virginia-tech-vs-south-carolina
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+NFL+-+CFBl.png" length="2492547" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2025 13:20:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-southern-states-kickoff</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+NFL+-+CFBl.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+NFL+-+CFBl.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Ernie Gomez</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-ernie-gomez</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Ernie Gomez
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fifth Third Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/firth_peter" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ernie+Gomez.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ernie+Gomez.png" length="1260563" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jul 2025 20:26:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-ernie-gomez</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ernie+Gomez.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ernie+Gomez.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Peter Firth</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-peter-firth</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Peter Firth
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kenan Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/firth_peter" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+100+-+Peter+Firth-9c55d999.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Joe Toy, Daniel Springs, Pat McClanahan, Tony Freeman and Paul Infranco
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A few thousand people heard the gospel and hundreds of tracks went out at the NC State home game on Saturday.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Peter+Firth+-+SFOI1000+-+1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+100+-+Peter+Firth-9c55d999.png" length="1389920" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jul 2025 17:35:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-peter-firth</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+100+-+Peter+Firth-9c55d999.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+100+-+Peter+Firth-9c55d999.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Mark Murnan</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-mark-murnan</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Mark Murnan
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           FAU Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mark+Murnan-b5031d28.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Small crowds to see UConn v. FAU, but a steady stream of people with some good interactions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: RE Warren Kendrick
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Excellent location along the entrance lines to the stadium. Great crowds, close proximity to the preaching. Several tracts handed out, several conversations and interactions with the fans.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mark+Murnan-b5031d28.png" length="2978076" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 29 Jul 2025 21:14:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-mark-murnan</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mark+Murnan-b5031d28.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mark+Murnan-b5031d28.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>MLB All-Star '26: Save the Date</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-26-save-the-date</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Save The Date: MLB All-Star '26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Dear Friends - the MLB All-Star '26 is scheduled for July in Philadelphia, PA.  The four day Celebration begins typically the second Saturday after July 4th.  That would mean next year the dates would be:  July 11 - 14. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Look for a confirmation asap.  Here is the official MLB All-Star page: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.mlb.com/all-star" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           MLB.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/MLB+All-Star+Team+-25.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/MLB+All-Star+Team+-25.jpeg" length="164477" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 16 Jul 2025 22:52:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-26-save-the-date</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/MLB+All-Star+Team+-25.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/MLB+All-Star+Team+-25.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI Letter - July 7, 2025</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-letter-july-7-2025</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Letter - July 7, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dear Friends,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise the Lord with me for an amazing 6 months of Gospel ministry.  Over 236 individuals have labored with SFOI making over 662 appearances.  Every year but last year twelve months was required to reach this level of participation.  The Lord is answering our prayers!  Hallelujah!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What these numbers means most importantly is more souls are hearing the Gospel, in person, from a living witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8)! 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Can there be any greater benefit to the unbeliever? 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What does the Father desire but that is His Son's Name is made great amongst the nations and evangelists preaching Christ as ministers of reconciliation is the pinnacle expression of His will.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These souls at events like Bonnaroo Music Festival, Niagara Falls, Indy 500, Blue Crab Festival, Kentucky Derby, Miami Grand Prix, NFL Draft, Final Four, Long Beach Grand Prix, St. Pete Grand Prix, NBA All-Star, Super Bowl, Gasparilla Pirate Festival and College Football Championship heard the amazing gift of God's mercy in the Gospel of His Son delivered to them by Christians who bore witness to His resurrection.  Living Ambassadors's of Christ! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friends, while there are countless stories at these 15 events the main point in this letter to establish is to celebrate that Christ was preached and in that we rejoice (Phil 1:18).  Scripture points us towards focusing on our input instead of results.  Matthew 22:36 - 40 and Mark 12:28 - 31 make this point:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 22:36 - 40
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           36 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           37 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           38 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is the great and foremost commandment. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           39 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           40 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 12:28 - 31
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           28 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of the scribes came up and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           29 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           30 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           31 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            In other words love God with all you got and likewise your neighbor and God will give the increase. This is why we celebrate Christ being preached because it is our input.  It is what we do.  "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4)
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I Cor 3:5 -7:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           5 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           6 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           7 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We sow.  We provide the input.  God brings the results.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My friends we have been putting 'all we got' into this work for 25 years and our great God is bringing forth increasing results!  So today, let's resolve to continue to give it "all we got' in our partnership in the Gospel and watch our great God bring forth His divine results!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill-Adams-2.jpg" length="44454" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:08:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-letter-july-7-2025</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill-Adams-2.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill-Adams-2.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Lexington RBC - Pendleton Rodeo Outreach</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/lexington-rbc-pendleton-rodeo-outreach</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Pro 2025" - Pendelton Rodeo Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Eric+in+Oregon+Event.JPG"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pastor Eric Schonbachler is hosting this training and outreach September 12 - 14.  Lexington Reformed Baptist Church is located in Lexington, OR.  Pastor Schonbachler is a dedicated evangelist in addition to shepherding the church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            He has invited
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/goodknight_mason" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mason Goodknight
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , an SBO '26 Team Leader, to train in addition to well known Pastor and evangelist Church O'Neal from Portland, OR and Pastor John Smith who joined the SFOI Team at the MLB All-Star Celebration in Seattle in 2023.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please share this evangelism training and outreach with anyone you know.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Eric+in+Oregon+Event.JPG" length="102113" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Jul 2025 09:19:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/lexington-rbc-pendleton-rodeo-outreach</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Eric+in+Oregon+Event.JPG">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Eric+in+Oregon+Event.JPG">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI Events: August - November</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-events-august-november</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Events: August - November
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+NFL+-+CFBl.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today's Get in the Game email highlighted the upcoming events from August - November.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Visit this link for the list of events:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://e800v.r.sp1-brevo.net/mk/mr/sh/SMJz09SDriOHWPCXEBfLNxHyyXRg/fGsxsNuNc6a3" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           GitG July 5, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+NFL+-+CFBl.png" length="2492547" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 05 Jul 2025 17:18:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-events-august-november</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+NFL+-+CFBl.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+NFL+-+CFBl.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Dave Doerman @ Reds Games!</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/dave-doerman-reds-games</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave Doerman - Reds' Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Cincinnati+Bengals+Outreach+SFOI1000+David+Doerman+10-23-22.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave Doerman (right in the picture above) has been failfully preaching in CIncinnati since 2021. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            He preaches at the
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bengals.com/schedule/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cincinnati Bengals' home games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            at
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bengals.com/stadium/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paycor Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            , the
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://gobearcats.com/sports/football/schedule/2025" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Cincinnati home football games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            at
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://gobearcats.com/facilities/nippert-stadium/2" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nippert Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            , many events at
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://tqlstadium.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           TQL Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            home of
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.fccincinnati.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           FC Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and the
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.mlb.com/reds/schedule/2025/fullseason?msockid=237994705b57655130a781d55f5767e8" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cincinnati Reds' home games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Reds are hosting the NY Yankees today and tomorrow. Should be huge crowds!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Contact Dave to join him or refer any evangelists you know in the Cincinnati area:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave's contact info:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           513-235-8407
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           dadoerman@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David-Doerman-1-300x300-38d957a4.jpg" length="99444" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jun 2025 08:07:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/dave-doerman-reds-games</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David-Doerman-1-300x300-38d957a4.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David-Doerman-1-300x300-38d957a4.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Club World Cup - Charlotte - June 22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/club-world-cup-charlotte-june-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Club World Cup: Charlotte - June 22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.fifa.com/en/match-centre/match/10005/289175/289176/400019190" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mike+Andrews-c897456d.jpg"/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Mike Andrews is preaching at the
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/club-world-cup" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Club World Cup
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Game tomorrow, Sunday, June 22 at
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bankofamericastadium.com/fifa-real-madrid-v-pachuca.html" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bank of America Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .  Kickoff time: 3:00 PM.  Ministry time:  Noon - 3:00 PM.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Contact Mike to join him:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           980-622-6254
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Please pray for Mike! 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Liberty to preach; Christ proclaimed and clearly heard by the fans; the Holy Spirit convicts the fans of sin, righteousness and judgement; the Lord grant many repentance unto life; many repent and call upon the Name of the Lord; Jesus Christ's Name is made great amongst the fans and our great God glorified!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mike+Andrews-c897456d.jpg" length="305888" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 21 Jun 2025 18:07:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/club-world-cup-charlotte-june-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mike+Andrews-c897456d.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mike+Andrews-c897456d.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>KYFiTT - New Session - Doctrine Matters</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kyfitt-new-session-doctrine-matters</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           KYFiTT - New Session Begins - Doctrine Matters
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFiTT+-+Doctrine+Matters.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Heath Pucel the Director of the KYFiTT has begun a new session.  Click this page for details and to register:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting-85b01dcd.jpeg" length="98800" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 14 Jun 2025 16:09:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kyfitt-new-session-doctrine-matters</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting-85b01dcd.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting-85b01dcd.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>KYFiTT - Thursday, June 12 Update</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kyfitt-thursday-june-12-update</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Today's KYFITT Live Report 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Talking points:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            1. What is our primary responsibility as gospel open air preachers?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            2. When can a good thing diminish the best thing?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            3. One of the dangers that keep us from a faithful, enduring ministry is business. What does that mean dnd look like. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Find out in this KYFITT Live Report:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting-85b01dcd.jpeg" length="98800" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 14 Jun 2025 16:05:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kyfitt-thursday-june-12-update</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting-85b01dcd.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT+General+Picture+for+Posting-85b01dcd.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Corey Lindsey, Ben Gonzales, David Correa - Broadway Evangelism Team</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/corey-lindsey-ben-gonzales-david-correa-broadway-evangelism-team</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Broadway Evangelism Team
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Dear Friends - please pray for the 'Broadway Evangelism Team' who preach every Friday on Broadway in Nashville from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. (Left to right)
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/david.c.bianchi?__cft__[0]=AZXWYBIpvYzwEGyzrgu7GY2mDR5zCeX65mOf0t9Ujt1NkYjkYeyPUaHA0dOHIwktLIgrTpnCt0N_OmAX22ywn2d4bBTI_BVYrH-YYM1JTPRMJOSho1KFVoTtmZt2dXV7B3AVYHos9RY_FNvwAfiUFa9B&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Correa
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/lindsey_corey" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Corey Lindsey
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            &amp;amp;
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/gonzales_ben" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ben Gonzales
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Broadway Ave. in Nashville is 'always' exremely busy presenting continual opportunities for Gospel ministry.  Look for more posts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Broadway+Evangelism+Team.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Broadway+Evangelism+Team.jpg" length="181500" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:35:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/corey-lindsey-ben-gonzales-david-correa-broadway-evangelism-team</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Broadway+Evangelism+Team.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Broadway+Evangelism+Team.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Charlie Valesco Invitaiton - Mexico City Grand Prix</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/charlie-valesco-invitaiton-mexico-city-grand-prix</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pastor Charlie Velasco Invites Evangelists to join the '25 Team
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The Mexico City Grand Prix led by Diego Sandoval is being held October 24 - 26! Above Pastor Valesco invites you to pray about registering to join the Team.  Details and to register:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/mexico-city-grand-prix" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/mexico-city-grand-prix
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mexico+City+-24+Team+.jpg" length="109548" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:04:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/charlie-valesco-invitaiton-mexico-city-grand-prix</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mexico+City+-24+Team+.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mexico+City+-24+Team+.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Brady Brewer NBA Finals - Game 1</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/brady-brewer-nba-finals-game-1</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brady Brewer - NBA Finals - Game 1 - OKC
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brady-at-PayComm-Arena.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            The NBA Finals begin tonight in Oklahoma City! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/brewer_brady" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brady Brewer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/walker_richard" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Richard Walker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            are preaching at 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.paycomcenter.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paycom Arena
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : 5:45 - 7:30 PM.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for them! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for them! Liberty to preach, Jesus Christ's Name made great amongst the people, many fans repent and call upon the Name of the Lord, Christians exhorted onward in their faith and God is glorified!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Full Schedule:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/kendall_steven" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Steven Kendall
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            is preaching at the Pacers home games)
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Game 1: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.nba.com/game/0042400401" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pacers at Thunder
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Thu. June 5, 8:30 ET, ABC)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Game 2:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.nba.com/game/0042400402" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pacers at Thunder
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Sun. June 8, 8 ET, ABC)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Game 3:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.nba.com/game/0042400403" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thunder at Pacers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Wed. June 11, 8:30 ET, ABC)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Game 4: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.nba.com/game/0042400404" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thunder at Pacers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Fri. June 13, 8:30 ET, ABC)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Game 5: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.nba.com/game/0042400405" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pacers at Thunder
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Mon. June 16, 8:30 ET, ABC) *
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Game 6:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.nba.com/game/0042400406" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thunder at Pacers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Thu. June 19, 8:30 ET, ABC) *
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Game 7:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.nba.com/game/0042400407" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pacers at Thunder
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Sun, June 22, 8 ET on ABC) *
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brady+at+PayComm+Arena.jpg" length="218607" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:45:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/brady-brewer-nba-finals-game-1</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brady+at+PayComm+Arena.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brady+at+PayComm+Arena.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Niagara Falls: Heath preaching</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/niagara-falls-heath-preaching</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Niagara Falls: Heath preaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Niagara-Falls--25---056.jpg" length="332415" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jun 2025 20:28:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/niagara-falls-heath-preaching</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Niagara-Falls--25---056.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Niagara-Falls--25---056.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Niagara Falls: Gabe preaching</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/niagara-falls-preaching</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Niagara Falls: Gabe preaching at Falls
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The location in the video is the bottom of Clifton Hill and across from the Niagara Falls Visitor Center.  You should see the people coming and going from the Falls and passing Gabe.  Faith comes by hearing!  It please God by the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Niagara-Falls--25---056.jpg" length="332415" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jun 2025 20:24:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/niagara-falls-preaching</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Niagara-Falls--25---056.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Niagara-Falls--25---056.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Spreading the Faith in Malawi</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/going-home-africa-ministries</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going Home Africa Ministries - Malawi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20241203-WA0036-bc482656.jpg"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           April 21, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today I had a wonderful privilege to distribute books to pastors from Chiladzulu district for free distribution to their fellow pastors when back him
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you very much Mission Cry for donating these books to us 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be praying for us 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francis 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           April 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Greetings 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We have a wonderful privilege to minister to truckers at Mwanza boarder in Mwanza District here in Malawi. We reached about 130 truckers ,but about 25 received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We have a very wider open doors and opportunities to minister to truckers at this boarder post 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are currently looking for evangelists, Bibles and books for free distribution at this boarder 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francis 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           April 19, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Greetings from us here in Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yesterday we ministered at night in Mwanza District and shown the Jesus film.Thank you very much for your wonderful prayers towards our calling here in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           About 65 people received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a wonderful night 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We need you to come and join us here in Malawi &amp;#55356;&amp;#56818;&amp;#55356;&amp;#56828; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francis 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           April 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Greetings from us here in Malawi &amp;#55356;&amp;#56818;&amp;#55356;&amp;#56828; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today we had a privilege to minister to the youth from APC Church here in Malawi &amp;#55356;&amp;#56818;&amp;#55356;&amp;#56828; . About 46 youth turned their lives to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We have more wonderful open doors and opportunities for ministry amongst the youth here in Malawi. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you very much for your wonderful prayers towards our calling here in Malawi &amp;#55356;&amp;#56818;&amp;#55356;&amp;#56828; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           See the photos on how they were happy with the books 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are looking for your prayers ,support and encouragement 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francis 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Servus Francis Ananda Chipukunya 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going Home Africa Ministries 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           P.o.Box 280,Liwonde. Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell:+265882452580/+265980429072
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           April 16, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Greetings from us here in Malawi &amp;#55356;&amp;#56818;&amp;#55356;&amp;#56828; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I had a wonderful privilege to preach and distribute books to students at Chiyambi Private secondary school here in mwanza District in Malawi. This is because the behaviour of children at this school needs words of God for hope and encouragement. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Children were very much happy to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior get the books for further studies. About 34 students were born again during this visit .Please see even photos of some teachers at the school. Thank you very much for your wonderful prayer support towards our calling here in Malawi &amp;#55356;&amp;#56818;&amp;#55356;&amp;#56828; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are looking for further studies, Bibles and evangelists to come and join us . There are more wider open doors and opportunities happens for schools in underserved communities here in Malawi &amp;#55356;&amp;#56818;&amp;#55356;&amp;#56828; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francis 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Servus Francis Ananda Chipukunya 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going Home Africa Ministries 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           P.o.Box 280,Liwonde. Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell:+265882452580/+265980429072
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           April 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Greetings from us here in Malawi &amp;#55356;&amp;#56818;&amp;#55356;&amp;#56828; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I would like to humbly report to you that today, we had a privilege to preach distribute books to standard 8 Children at Umodzi Private Primary School in Mwanza District here in Malawi &amp;#55356;&amp;#56818;&amp;#55356;&amp;#56828;. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           About 43 children received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The school has no books for supplementary Reading and our school is greatly appreciated 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We would like to humbly thank you and your team for the wonderful support towards our calling here in Malawi. We have more wider open doors and opportunities for distribution of books in different underserved communities and schools here in Malawi &amp;#55356;&amp;#56818;&amp;#55356;&amp;#56828; 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We would like to humbly request you and your team to pray for us. We are looking well wishers to help us with funds for transport 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thanks 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francis 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Servus Francis Ananda Chipukunya 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going Home Africa Ministries 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           P.o.Box 280,Liwonde. Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell:+265882452580/+265980429072
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           April 12, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today, we handed out various books to students at AFM Bible College Berea in ndilande Township in Blantyre district here in Malawi &amp;#55356;&amp;#56818;&amp;#55356;&amp;#56828; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you very much for your wonderful support towards our calling here in Malawi . I shared with the students about Sports Fans Outreaches and Street Evangelism. Many have shown interest in joining us when doing Street Evangelism and sports fans are in Blantyre next month.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are looking for prayers for evangelists and funds for transport 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Testimony:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Greetings sir. Am pastor Maonde from AFM Bible College Berea. Thank you so much sir for the books. They will serve the purpose. God bless you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francis 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Servus Francis Ananda Chipukunya 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going Home Africa Ministries 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           P.o.Box 280,Liwonde. Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell:+265882452580/+265980429072
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           April 8, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preaching to children today at Malizakamba Primary school in Neno district here in Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           April 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reaching out to truckers and security guards with the Gospel today at Mwanza border here in Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250406-WA0043.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           March 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Greetings from us here in Malawi.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today we had a privilege to reach Mgugudu primary school in Kasenjere Zone of Neno district here in Malawi. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We preached about discipline and love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We distributed some pencils and some books. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you very much for your wonderful support towards our calling here in Malawi &amp;#55356;&amp;#56818;&amp;#55356;&amp;#56828; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francis 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Servus Francis Ananda Chipukunya 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going Home Africa Ministries 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           P.o.Box 280,Liwonde. Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell:+265882452580/+265980429072
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           March 26, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Greetings 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I had a great time to minister to children at Chitete Primary school in Neno district here in Malawi today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Children were taught some Biblical Principles about health and discipline. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They were happy to get books from us. Please help us to reach out more
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Servus Francis Ananda Chipukunya 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going Home Africa Ministries 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           P.o.Box 280,Liwonde. Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell:+265882452580/+265980429072
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           March 24, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are still going on with the work of the Lord here in Malawi. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We have a privilege to reach 4 schools with the Gospel in Machinga district here in Malawi:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tbe books have been distributed to 4 different Schools 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1. Liwonde LEA 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2. Namisundu Primary School 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3. Liwonde New Hope Private Primary School 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           4. Rejoice Private Primary School
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you very much for your wonderful prayers and support towards our calling here in Malawi &amp;#55356;&amp;#56818;&amp;#55356;&amp;#56828; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be praying for us as there is more open doors and opportunities for ministry here in Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francis 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Servus Francis Ananda Chipukunya 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going Home Africa Ministries 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           P.o.Box 280,Liwonde. Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell:+265882452580/+265980429072
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           March 21, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayed for you and your team 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bishop Augustine Masula, one of our evangelists distributed the message and tracts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Servus Francis Ananda Chipukunya 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going Home Africa Ministries 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           P.o.Box 280,Liwonde. Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell:+265882452580/+265980429072
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           March 21, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These are Form 4 Students at Ngoms Private Secondary school receiving New Testament Bibles today here in Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I preached on John 4:35
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They are extremely happy with your donation. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We really thank you and praise God for your wonderful support towards our calling here in Malawi. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayed 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francis 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Servus Francis Ananda Chipukunya 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going Home Africa Ministries 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           P.o.Box 280,Liwonde. Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell:+265882452580/+265980429072
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           March 4, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Malawi is full of great open doors and opportunities for ministry. Please see the attached photos. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for me to have means of transport and team mates to evangelize needful places
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francis 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Servus Francis Ananda Chipukunya 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going Home Africa Ministries 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           P.o.Box 280,Liwonde. Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell:+265882452580/+265980429072
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Feb. 28, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Greetings from us here in Malawi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I would like to humbly share with you our team of Evangelists in Zomba City here in Malawi being lead by Pastor Mobrey Philip.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zomba city is the former capital city of Malawi and have great potential for evangelism, Street Evangelism and open air Preaching 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           AIR SFOI MALAWI EVANGELISM TEAM FOR ZOMBA DISTRICT
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1.Pastor Mobrey Daniel Phillip United Methodist Church 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2. Mr. Samuel Dalikeni 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3. Rev. Chance Mhango Better Life International Church 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           4. Nathan Mhango Better Life International Church 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5. Bishop Isaac Nyamafumba Ever Increasing Joy Ministry
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           6. Pastor Henderson Liwundi Ever Increasing Joy Ministry 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           7. Pastor Denis Kunsiya Everlasting Life Missionary Church 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           8. Mr.Donasiyano Napolo Everlasting Life Missionary Church 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9. Bishop Yobe Mwalamwaza Light Pentecost Church 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10. Mr. Aaron Chaima Light Pentecost Church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Francis Ananda Chipukunya 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going Home Africa Ministries 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           P.o.Box 280,Liwonde. Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell:+265882452580/+265980429072
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250228-WA0011.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Message from Malawi: LIWONDE TEAM EVANGELISM PLAN FOR MARCH 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The LIWONDE STREET EVANGELISM team under the leadership of Pastor Synpholeano Chisale has planned evangelism around Liwonde for:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friday March 7,2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friday March 21,2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This will be a wonderful time for preaching, distribution of tracts and books, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ministering, praying, singing and directing people to Bible teaching churches and Ministries for discipleship. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers and donations are welcome. Please contact Brother Francis Ananda Chipukunya 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           of Going Home Africa Ministries to know more: chipukunyagham@yahoo.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Greetings from us here in Malawi!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I would like to humbly share with you and your team about the following strides progress that we are making in ministry here in Malawi. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 .MACHINGA DISTRICT 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our team through the leadership of Pastor Synpholeano Chisale is doing a wonderful work in Liwonde Township in The district.He and his team are reaching different places with the Gospel and free literature distribution. We really thank and praise God for this wonderful work that we are doing for the glory of God. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 .MWANZA DISTRICT 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our team through the leadership of Bishop Martin Banda is doing a great job in mwanza District in distribution of tracts and Street Evangelism. They need our prayers and resources for free distribution. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3 .KASUNGU DISTRICT 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our team under the leadership of Lukas Banda is doing a great and wonderful work in evangelism and preaching to different people and places in the district. Prayers, Books and tracts are greatly needed there.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           4. MZUZU AND LIVINGSTONIA UNIVERSITIES 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our campus ministry under the leadership of Joseph Master is going on well at Mzuzu and Livingstonia universities in Mzimba district here in Malawi. We are seeing this opportunity being extended to different universities and colleges here in Malawi. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5 ZOMBA DISTRICT 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zomba district is a former capital city of Malawi,and our ministry under the leadership of Pastor Mobrey Philip has just started and we are seeing great projection of good job being done. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           PRAYERS 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 .Ministry van for literature delivery 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 . Bibles, Books and tracts 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3. Mobile speakers 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           4. Bicycles for evangelists 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5. Evangelists, teachers and trainers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           6 .Lilongwe Mission Home project.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Francis Ananda Chipukunya 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going Home Africa Ministries 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           P.o.Box 280,Liwonde. Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell:+265882452580/+265980429072
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lukas Banda distributing New Testament Bibles to students at Kakhome Community Day Secondary School here in Kasunga District in Malawi.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250119-WA0011.jpg" length="91136" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Apr 2025 14:31:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/going-home-africa-ministries</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250119-WA0011.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250119-WA0011.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Long Beach Grand Prix Outreach - Andy Schmelzer</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/long-beach-grand-prix-outreach-andy-schmelzer</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Long Beach Grand Prix Outreach '25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/andrewk.karl.1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Andy Schmelzer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           's photos and videos at the Long Beach grand prix Outreach in California last April 11-13, 2025.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            April 11th - Live report at the preaching location near the circuit.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            "Had a blessed time at the Long Beach Grand Prix over the weekend. Good fellowship and wonderful evangelism.  The gospel was preached and literature handed out. Praying for the seeds planted and the watering."
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/490830329_10232365610777041_6232699904862384060_n-c2e1919f.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Should you be interested in open-air preaching at home games and other events with Andy, contact him directly: 541-290-4000
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           makehimknown@live.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/490830329_10232365610777041_6232699904862384060_n.jpg" length="511966" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 17 Apr 2025 13:49:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/long-beach-grand-prix-outreach-andy-schmelzer</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/490830329_10232365610777041_6232699904862384060_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/490830329_10232365610777041_6232699904862384060_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Alex Burt</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-alex-burt</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sanford Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/burt_alex" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Alex+Burt+2-95ca5dcb.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Alex's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025 - Celebration Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jamie Smith and Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Celebration Bowl evangelism team! My good friend, Brother in Christ and faithful preacher of the Gospel,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/stirling.long.5?__cft__[0]=AZZj62s-Ty4SX3RwrGaGCUW0qwZQrlDM6eEw2m4j4GQryGWqmK3nIsi1SnjICQHMd4JWPoR3f-ugLi5uitXlpLs5z45ChksKT99mfEmPR6SAWJBbhngxZe_cBS3QQk-m5JkAxj7pMLk_WwO0aO4aeuLK&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            today at the Cricket Celebration Bowl in Atlanta. Had a great day preaching Christ with these brothers in the streets of Atlanta. I'm truly blessed to have so many godly men in my life! 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SOLI DEO GLORIA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZbwQBop4qiU3PYN0Ey7Ad7Z5CIJF4mYZ23C_g0Ksg3jp2g0uVkTjTye8r-k3h-ZbJsG2R13UPDfEfknHzbFTMvI3n5odInkh9-chU53BUIJ0H6LLjeAUHl3HCccTJybMmXhi6B6zlZo-c522buDxLOk&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/celebrationbowl?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZbwQBop4qiU3PYN0Ey7Ad7Z5CIJF4mYZ23C_g0Ksg3jp2g0uVkTjTye8r-k3h-ZbJsG2R13UPDfEfknHzbFTMvI3n5odInkh9-chU53BUIJ0H6LLjeAUHl3HCccTJybMmXhi6B6zlZo-c522buDxLOk&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #CelebrationBowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/mercedesbenzstadium?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZbwQBop4qiU3PYN0Ey7Ad7Z5CIJF4mYZ23C_g0Ksg3jp2g0uVkTjTye8r-k3h-ZbJsG2R13UPDfEfknHzbFTMvI3n5odInkh9-chU53BUIJ0H6LLjeAUHl3HCccTJybMmXhi6B6zlZo-c522buDxLOk&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #mercedesbenzstadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/collegefootball?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZbwQBop4qiU3PYN0Ey7Ad7Z5CIJF4mYZ23C_g0Ksg3jp2g0uVkTjTye8r-k3h-ZbJsG2R13UPDfEfknHzbFTMvI3n5odInkh9-chU53BUIJ0H6LLjeAUHl3HCccTJybMmXhi6B6zlZo-c522buDxLOk&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #collegefootball
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, December 06, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jamie Smith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Gospel preaching and Gospel conversation.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jamie.n.smith.77?__cft__[0]=AZVf2SeD4rqryl6NiMjsAm18WvrliuB5yrIQQCJtl7MLQ_D-FX4lbO5qtUVuXoKUVrbUi6-y6t-cUeaotlFv8h1Rw1eeoD9XmXJztdThX_PbIxhXIgF6qg-ok7R-aHmUUgmTylcNTCkIZU8zJiTYaK5qg6ajOAVV9Ag3pXAqXnTn05mZksxAyjI5sLYtGacY_rg&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jamie N Smith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVf2SeD4rqryl6NiMjsAm18WvrliuB5yrIQQCJtl7MLQ_D-FX4lbO5qtUVuXoKUVrbUi6-y6t-cUeaotlFv8h1Rw1eeoD9XmXJztdThX_PbIxhXIgF6qg-ok7R-aHmUUgmTylcNTCkIZU8zJiTYaK5qg6ajOAVV9Ag3pXAqXnTn05mZksxAyjI5sLYtGacY_rg&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/ugafootball?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVf2SeD4rqryl6NiMjsAm18WvrliuB5yrIQQCJtl7MLQ_D-FX4lbO5qtUVuXoKUVrbUi6-y6t-cUeaotlFv8h1Rw1eeoD9XmXJztdThX_PbIxhXIgF6qg-ok7R-aHmUUgmTylcNTCkIZU8zJiTYaK5qg6ajOAVV9Ag3pXAqXnTn05mZksxAyjI5sLYtGacY_rg&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #ugafootball
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/bamafootball?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVf2SeD4rqryl6NiMjsAm18WvrliuB5yrIQQCJtl7MLQ_D-FX4lbO5qtUVuXoKUVrbUi6-y6t-cUeaotlFv8h1Rw1eeoD9XmXJztdThX_PbIxhXIgF6qg-ok7R-aHmUUgmTylcNTCkIZU8zJiTYaK5qg6ajOAVV9Ag3pXAqXnTn05mZksxAyjI5sLYtGacY_rg&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #BamaFootball
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/seccham?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVf2SeD4rqryl6NiMjsAm18WvrliuB5yrIQQCJtl7MLQ_D-FX4lbO5qtUVuXoKUVrbUi6-y6t-cUeaotlFv8h1Rw1eeoD9XmXJztdThX_PbIxhXIgF6qg-ok7R-aHmUUgmTylcNTCkIZU8zJiTYaK5qg6ajOAVV9Ag3pXAqXnTn05mZksxAyjI5sLYtGacY_rg&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #seccham
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Rich Suplita, Jamie Smith, Scott Phillips, Anthony Green, Alex Burt and John
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We preached for 3 hours in this order. Jamie, Anthony, Scott, Rich and Alex. We had a conversation with a college age man who was struggling with doubt. He was raised catholic and was struggling because he had committed a grievous sin and had not confessed it to his priest. I think he had talked to all of the guys while I was preaching and then I spoke with him. He confessed to me and said he had not told anyone else what this sin was. (wasn't murder or rape, by the way) I tried to assure him that he did not need to confess to a priest but to God. We talked for a while and I shared Scripture with him. He gave me a hug before going on his way. I gave him a Gospel tract and told him to message me and we could stay in touch. I have not heard from him at this time. Gospel preaching still leads to Gospel conversations.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jamie Smith and Richard Suplita
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jamie.n.smith.77?__cft__[0]=AZVPRyglMoyKQq8-nV24WhS550CKqjUTFTIIdUcMlnmhLZiddNXNqdGpjnfDZsPzne1V90tBpiiOP48R0INh69kknNwKHv-cWHPzcWvdEawFEVi8tiZlcWmKTX5mvIii2gt3TarErVVzR9pvnMty4oehNUhmxjyQhWSvTqkIu3O3CeQWFJKqI1x_lA9NvHpuz3s&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jamie N Smith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            leads off today.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVPRyglMoyKQq8-nV24WhS550CKqjUTFTIIdUcMlnmhLZiddNXNqdGpjnfDZsPzne1V90tBpiiOP48R0INh69kknNwKHv-cWHPzcWvdEawFEVi8tiZlcWmKTX5mvIii2gt3TarErVVzR9pvnMty4oehNUhmxjyQhWSvTqkIu3O3CeQWFJKqI1x_lA9NvHpuz3s&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Anthony Green, Jamie Smith and Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Had another great day of preaching. We rotated in 30 min increments from 12:30.pm to 3:30 pm, so we each preached twice. Anthony had a good conversation with a guy who seemed to be seeking the truth and Jamie had a conversation with a couple of mockers, as he was preaching. We had some loud noise competition today but it didn't last but about an hour.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Rich Suplita, Jamie Smith, Scott Phillips
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jamie, Scott and Rich preached for 2 hours before kick-off. We started an hour late due to no foot traffic early on. We also gave away a lot of Gospel tracts.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Rich Suplita, Jamie Smith, Stirling Long, Mc Alande Saintine (Mac), Anthony, Anthony Tonka Green and me. :)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a huge crowd on Saturday with Alabama being in town to take on UGA. We began preaching at approximately 4:15 and concluded at around 7:15. We distributed numerous tracts and had several meaningful conversations. I even got a hug from a fan as I was preaching. He told me he was proud of me for preaching there (see picture). Of course, we had a couple of nay-sayers from the "But Nation.” If you’re not familiar with the term, it was coined by another evangelist years ago. It refers to people who will say things like, “I appreciate what you are doing, BUT this isn’t the way to reach people.” One guy said we were too loud, and it wasn’t the way to reach people. When asked how he reached people, he replied, “I teach Sunday School.” That’s typical of the But Nation. They accuse the preacher of doing it wrong, and when asked, it is revealed that they don’t reach anyone outside the church with the Gospel. It was a wonderful day with wonderful Brothers!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jamie Smith, Scott Phillips, and Rich Suplita
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We preached and passed out tracts from noon to 2:30 PM. We had a few encouragers. One man told me he appreciated the good word and another young guy who worked there stopped and said he appreciated what we were doing.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            It was a hot day of preaching for 3 hours at Sanford. Where else could you find so many souls to reach with the Gospel through preaching, conversation and tracts.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZX338kOu6alzHSzEV9gWgGPxkVH2Xw95Ktavavv7LDffNrIvCRGfcaj5ocz9PxBzvAs7wPrmPL4wULTkbrdoV7f4eRQ80KS4ZCKVpiXVn15ZKB5pmj1z90POz2FL8yUkrfgb0C0nLBllaVC61ClfCiQjl2hlsfPYKKAmmh9x0vbvj1GPhdV2sgw4NQ80MGjON0&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZX338kOu6alzHSzEV9gWgGPxkVH2Xw95Ktavavv7LDffNrIvCRGfcaj5ocz9PxBzvAs7wPrmPL4wULTkbrdoV7f4eRQ80KS4ZCKVpiXVn15ZKB5pmj1z90POz2FL8yUkrfgb0C0nLBllaVC61ClfCiQjl2hlsfPYKKAmmh9x0vbvj1GPhdV2sgw4NQ80MGjON0&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: April 12, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           UGA spring game evangelism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Had a great day preaching with 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jamie.n.smith.77?__cft__[0]=AZVrYoO_mKOq6h1A_AFP8k0dVjmPKCj42oYZWjVc4GOjtepoG4wTRgDSrKqpY_hLUsf5seoZ96nrAIL1FzAI0tvJdvuPs17P0rG0-wnoXNJ-cA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jamie N Smith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
              and
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090107046090&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVrYoO_mKOq6h1A_AFP8k0dVjmPKCj42oYZWjVc4GOjtepoG4wTRgDSrKqpY_hLUsf5seoZ96nrAIL1FzAI0tvJdvuPs17P0rG0-wnoXNJ-cA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Richard Suplita
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            at the G-DAY Game today!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVrYoO_mKOq6h1A_AFP8k0dVjmPKCj42oYZWjVc4GOjtepoG4wTRgDSrKqpY_hLUsf5seoZ96nrAIL1FzAI0tvJdvuPs17P0rG0-wnoXNJ-cA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 29, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Rich Suplita, Scott Phillips, Stirling Long, Derek Johns, Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           GT vs UGA
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a bit cold on Friday afternoon. We arrived and were set up by gate 2 by 4:15.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had Rich Suplita, Mary Suplita, Doug Renz, Stirling Long, Derrick Johns, Scott Phillips and myself. Brooke, Javid, from Georgia Right to Life also joined us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We preached for 3 hours and gave out tracts. Stirling had a great conversation with a lady in a wheelchair from a spinal injury. He encouraged her not to give up on life but to look to the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Good preaching from Stirling, Doug, Scott, and Rich. I closed out the evening and we left around kick-off time. It was a great day and a great way to close out the regular season.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            On to Atlanta for the SEC championship game on Dec 7 where UGA will take on Texas.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 23, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Mc Alande Saintine, Rich Suplita, Scott Phillips, Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We preached for three hours and gave away tracts. The crowd was lighter than normal because it was not an important game.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We didn't have any conversations and it was a pretty non-eventful day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             Of course, we do not know what God did with the Gospel that was preached and the tracts that went out. Scattered the seeds and trusting God for results! 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 16, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           TN vs UGA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bobby McCreery, Scott Phillips, Tommy Ivan and myself arrived at Sanford Stadium and set up about 3 hours before kick-off. The crowd came out a little earlier than usual, with this being the biggest game of the year for maybe both teams. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We preached for 3 hours, compelling people to repent and believe in the Gospel. We gave out some tracts. Well, Tommy did most of the tract work. We also had some good conversations. We had some encourages and some mockers. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I offered a guy that was yell8g at the preacher a Gospel tract and he was stand offish. After we spoke for a few minutes he informed me that he was a believer but didn't like us yelling at people. Before he left he said he appreciated what we did and he was just giving the preacher a hard time, I assume just to get a laugh. He was a nice Guy. Interesting how a conversation will change if you hang in there. I do not know if he was a true believer but at least he thought through it. It is God who saves, We just scatter the seed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another man came up to me and sincerely gave me his observations as a representative of the crowd (His words). He was very gracious and kind so I will certainly take his observation into account.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was standing by as Bobby was preach8ng a lady came up to me, hugged me and thanked us for being here.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a great day. It was good to be with Bobby and Tommy, and Scott.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until All Hear!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 3, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cowboys vs Falcons 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doug Renz and I arrived at Mercedes Benz stadium around 10:00 AM. We preached for about 3 hours and gave away several hundred Gospel tracts. We had a lot of encouragers thanking us for being there etc.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Doug had a man come up and ask him how he could start a ministry like we were doing so he was able to encourage and pray with the man.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            The crowd was about average for a Falcons game with constant foot traffic. Although we had a constant drizzle, the weather was good.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 12, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ms. State vs UGA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today we had Jamie Smith, Scott Phillips, Hudson Phillips, Rich Suplita and Javid who works with Georgia Right to Life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           W
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           e preached for almost 3 hours and Javid spoke on the sanctity of Life for about 10 minutes. We had some encouragement and a few mockers. Some tracts went out but I'm not sure how many. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           T
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           he Gospel went forth and we leave the results to God, Who gives the increase.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 5, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Auburn vs UGA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was joined by Rich Suplita, Jamie Smith, Scott Phillips and, Hal. We were set up around 12:45. It was homecoming so traffic was a bit thicker than normal. Jamie started us off, followed by Rich, Scott and I finished us up as we ended around 3:30 which was kick-off time. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          W
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           e all anticipated a cooler day than what we experienced. This season, it was probably the hottest and most humid day at the stadium but it could have certainly been worse. We gave away a good number of Gospel tracts but the conversations were few as is normal at this stadium. We did have some encouragers and a heckler or two.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          T
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           he one that stands out is the guy who began yelling, “SHUT UP!” as I was preaching. I tried to assure him that I could not shut up because I loved him too much and wanted him to have eternal life. He yelled a little longer as he waited in line at the gate in front of us and finally stopped as he got closer to the entrance. While he was still in line I was able to share from Revelation 20 hoping God would use the Great White Throne Judgment to the man’s benefit. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          W
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           e had a good day and were glad to have Hal join us for the first time as he came out to pass out tracts and observe. Thankful for new laborers!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 8, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Steelers vs Falcons
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          D
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           oug Renz and I arrived outside Mercedes Benz Stadium a little before 10:00 AM. There were a lot of Steelers fans walking around early. We got set up and Doug began preaching around 10:20 or so. As Doug preached I passed out tracts and then swapped and I preached as he handed out tracts. We both preached twice and together we gave away somewhere between 200 and 300 little preachers (Gospel tracts).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          W
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           e had some encouragement and some mockers. Doug had a guy want to take a picture with him and a guy gave him a hug.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          I
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            did not receive love in that way. :) However, I did have a guy offer me something wrapped in Aluminum foil as I offered him a tract. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          S
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ometimes hecklers give you a perfect Segue. As I was preaching a man walking buy yelled, “We love our sin.” I was able to tell everyone the man's statement was true and explained how we all love our sin because it is our very nature. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          W
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           e had a great day! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until All Hear!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Corinthians 5:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 7, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tn Tech vs UGA Saturday, Sept 7, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          W
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           e had a great group of men today. Rich Suplita, Jamie Smith, Doug Renz, and from Israel we had Yoel Seton and from the Philippines, Derek Johns.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          T
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           here was a large fan base, as is usually the case at UGA. Everyone preached except Derek who wanted just to pass out tracts and observe. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          M
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           any tracts were passed out and some of the guys had some conversations but I did not get the details. While I was preaching, a catholic guy began asking me who the true church is. We had some back-and-forth with his assertion being that the catholic church is the real church. We discussed his error in praying to Mary and how that wasn’t in the Bible anywhere. He used the analogy and asked me if my father wouldn’t give me what I wanted wouldn’t I ask my mother for help? I said, “Not if she was dead” Then he and his friend said, isn’t Mary alive in Christ? I clarified that she wasn’t present on earth and could do nothing for them because there is only one mediator between man and God, the man, Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          I
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           t was a great day with 3 hours of preaching and many tracts going out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          U
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ntil All Hear!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, August 31, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/untilallhear?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXmVp6I90xTVaSHk7DPVZkqhWL6BFe13z7R2oe9kAc5ELfQViDDFMjkfuDziDGneV2kUyqwVRcZkIW8oC0YXalVLF-2fIEC3T7qwqw4mY0MdL2Sh77ZkjjyZUu8hqLeMyhBBDd5STgjqprXLA0Vn3zwmcl6y5nq1dCxQMixu0E_Tx_bDoMAeQgdNP-kWPdDrvo&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/untilallhear?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXmVp6I90xTVaSHk7DPVZkqhWL6BFe13z7R2oe9kAc5ELfQViDDFMjkfuDziDGneV2kUyqwVRcZkIW8oC0YXalVLF-2fIEC3T7qwqw4mY0MdL2Sh77ZkjjyZUu8hqLeMyhBBDd5STgjqprXLA0Vn3zwmcl6y5nq1dCxQMixu0E_Tx_bDoMAeQgdNP-kWPdDrvo&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Clemson vs UGA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Athens, GA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long and Doug Renz arrived at Mercedez Benz Stadium before the rest of us. I failed to properly anticipate traffic so Scott Phillips, Mack, Jamie Smith and I arrived around 9:30am. There was already a lot of foot traffic and street preachers there. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          W
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           e were set up in front of the State Farm arena entrance and preached in this order: Doug, Alex, Mack, Stirling and Scott.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A lot of tracts went out and we preached right up until Kick off at noon. Several people gave us words of encouragement and not many had negative comments, but a few did.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Jan 6, '24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Dec 30, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXmVp6I90xTVaSHk7DPVZkqhWL6BFe13z7R2oe9kAc5ELfQViDDFMjkfuDziDGneV2kUyqwVRcZkIW8oC0YXalVLF-2fIEC3T7qwqw4mY0MdL2Sh77ZkjjyZUu8hqLeMyhBBDd5STgjqprXLA0Vn3zwmcl6y5nq1dCxQMixu0E_Tx_bDoMAeQgdNP-kWPdDrvo&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/peachbowl?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXmVp6I90xTVaSHk7DPVZkqhWL6BFe13z7R2oe9kAc5ELfQViDDFMjkfuDziDGneV2kUyqwVRcZkIW8oC0YXalVLF-2fIEC3T7qwqw4mY0MdL2Sh77ZkjjyZUu8hqLeMyhBBDd5STgjqprXLA0Vn3zwmcl6y5nq1dCxQMixu0E_Tx_bDoMAeQgdNP-kWPdDrvo&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #peachbowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/athenspreacher?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXmVp6I90xTVaSHk7DPVZkqhWL6BFe13z7R2oe9kAc5ELfQViDDFMjkfuDziDGneV2kUyqwVRcZkIW8oC0YXalVLF-2fIEC3T7qwqw4mY0MdL2Sh77ZkjjyZUu8hqLeMyhBBDd5STgjqprXLA0Vn3zwmcl6y5nq1dCxQMixu0E_Tx_bDoMAeQgdNP-kWPdDrvo&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #athenspreacher
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/untilallhear?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXmVp6I90xTVaSHk7DPVZkqhWL6BFe13z7R2oe9kAc5ELfQViDDFMjkfuDziDGneV2kUyqwVRcZkIW8oC0YXalVLF-2fIEC3T7qwqw4mY0MdL2Sh77ZkjjyZUu8hqLeMyhBBDd5STgjqprXLA0Vn3zwmcl6y5nq1dCxQMixu0E_Tx_bDoMAeQgdNP-kWPdDrvo&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #untilallhear
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/untilallhear?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXmVp6I90xTVaSHk7DPVZkqhWL6BFe13z7R2oe9kAc5ELfQViDDFMjkfuDziDGneV2kUyqwVRcZkIW8oC0YXalVLF-2fIEC3T7qwqw4mY0MdL2Sh77ZkjjyZUu8hqLeMyhBBDd5STgjqprXLA0Vn3zwmcl6y5nq1dCxQMixu0E_Tx_bDoMAeQgdNP-kWPdDrvo&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Dec 16, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/mark.yoho2?__cft__[0]=AZXhMYzIxXXYdtXoIy12_rsEaFDPSBR_yw7ZLHw5O1zcVOlHsltlWXORJmU94pOUFiviC9Q3hAAdy20rxqf18S2yEYIgYrf-JeIB38HKLk27r4lij67dca-lpmfORk4XuLMSaLHuHKvwVPWo7ieYdDUpyvv9wWc6KnnJiSjkcBL5GCjAOVE4kkFcKnFeKwRRA6M&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark Yoho
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            preaching at the Celebration Bowl.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXhMYzIxXXYdtXoIy12_rsEaFDPSBR_yw7ZLHw5O1zcVOlHsltlWXORJmU94pOUFiviC9Q3hAAdy20rxqf18S2yEYIgYrf-JeIB38HKLk27r4lij67dca-lpmfORk4XuLMSaLHuHKvwVPWo7ieYdDUpyvv9wWc6KnnJiSjkcBL5GCjAOVE4kkFcKnFeKwRRA6M&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Celebration Bowl evangelism.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUfwM3YkyF9lW3j0_6AUi9yZ-tf4IYdxYL007dFsTV5iLudE0xD57BlyTGdWlQ1XFC9t4i2Hq9HZ25Xlp6WWzeyzX3Nfx5TsiLY7bWdj51QqRuwFggEOasttRuTgTUp1Ppkcn1UFeFNONF9oqiJqNDy5Y4tuiMbLN2DDrNiFXCkHKgQrNKx8uFn8GJlpS1uR6E&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/BobbyMcCreery?__cft__[0]=AZUqt83Y-T3tku1jf0_2amB0RIXHZnBAn06EWZRhFdj9mQMcVjexaeGzh3C9ivpW7ExlpQ7Iti9Z82czCdVSingHX4EHw4XKONCo9cq6jNXSo6rwKdHzN-bNeX9qm_Jlicn2X154iCa_pnRtyRipCgY0mmTK6O28QZ9Hkt2pN5Z3fb7-alWpGw8h0pvtWi_1Ejs&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bobby
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and Ernie. Great to see the older guy mentoring the younger.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfou1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUqt83Y-T3tku1jf0_2amB0RIXHZnBAn06EWZRhFdj9mQMcVjexaeGzh3C9ivpW7ExlpQ7Iti9Z82czCdVSingHX4EHw4XKONCo9cq6jNXSo6rwKdHzN-bNeX9qm_Jlicn2X154iCa_pnRtyRipCgY0mmTK6O28QZ9Hkt2pN5Z3fb7-alWpGw8h0pvtWi_1Ejs&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfou1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/celebrationbowl?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUqt83Y-T3tku1jf0_2amB0RIXHZnBAn06EWZRhFdj9mQMcVjexaeGzh3C9ivpW7ExlpQ7Iti9Z82czCdVSingHX4EHw4XKONCo9cq6jNXSo6rwKdHzN-bNeX9qm_Jlicn2X154iCa_pnRtyRipCgY0mmTK6O28QZ9Hkt2pN5Z3fb7-alWpGw8h0pvtWi_1Ejs&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #CelebrationBowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/mercedezbenzstadium?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUqt83Y-T3tku1jf0_2amB0RIXHZnBAn06EWZRhFdj9mQMcVjexaeGzh3C9ivpW7ExlpQ7Iti9Z82czCdVSingHX4EHw4XKONCo9cq6jNXSo6rwKdHzN-bNeX9qm_Jlicn2X154iCa_pnRtyRipCgY0mmTK6O28QZ9Hkt2pN5Z3fb7-alWpGw8h0pvtWi_1Ejs&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #mercedezbenzstadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/untilallhear?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUqt83Y-T3tku1jf0_2amB0RIXHZnBAn06EWZRhFdj9mQMcVjexaeGzh3C9ivpW7ExlpQ7Iti9Z82czCdVSingHX4EHw4XKONCo9cq6jNXSo6rwKdHzN-bNeX9qm_Jlicn2X154iCa_pnRtyRipCgY0mmTK6O28QZ9Hkt2pN5Z3fb7-alWpGw8h0pvtWi_1Ejs&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #untilallhear
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Been too long since I've heard this Brother preach. We began ministry in Athens 15 years ago.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZX9YkyXdrd19dQ5AAgoW57S_107e7-mNmykpDhzsFuOPrsTHpWXq0as2S2LZg4fLFz6mfyLXCvzXliQmw-khT_9LUGvDFDhRrkujkAViUDs3nBAXgSQibmaDD93MSY6RkHivsptFBjx115Q0Pz8czInA1qLd37qD09wHX4uegWYr6CQC5GM_9fqhSp-xzlvTsA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/athenspreacher?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZX9YkyXdrd19dQ5AAgoW57S_107e7-mNmykpDhzsFuOPrsTHpWXq0as2S2LZg4fLFz6mfyLXCvzXliQmw-khT_9LUGvDFDhRrkujkAViUDs3nBAXgSQibmaDD93MSY6RkHivsptFBjx115Q0Pz8czInA1qLd37qD09wHX4uegWYr6CQC5GM_9fqhSp-xzlvTsA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #athenspreacher
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/celebrationbowl?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZX9YkyXdrd19dQ5AAgoW57S_107e7-mNmykpDhzsFuOPrsTHpWXq0as2S2LZg4fLFz6mfyLXCvzXliQmw-khT_9LUGvDFDhRrkujkAViUDs3nBAXgSQibmaDD93MSY6RkHivsptFBjx115Q0Pz8czInA1qLd37qD09wHX4uegWYr6CQC5GM_9fqhSp-xzlvTsA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #CelebrationBowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Had a great day evangelizing at the Celebration Bowl. The crowd wasn't as large as normal at games but that is to be expected with these smaller colleges.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Regardless of that, there were folks there that needed the Gospel. We were honored to be out sharing the Good News with some seasoned Brothers (Mark Yoho and Bobby McCreery) and some new younger Brothers (Ernie Gomez and Danny Gomez)!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I love seeing young men with a desire to share the Gospel and reach souls! 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUSUIlMBvptt12STyY5pHW29iKY1FR-h4d7aR8X1jLbuFajNBPPkzLlikIU2feEe7KBjl25kh-Xs3r_513m5w9iV2PuVofKcDcEXqF2ro3L3xEwwD_IpUKKa6Lv_ROiif79ERQbr-RWM3joGBuH4dsz2GQ25_ztZrCYjTnZQ62frer-xKZhP-oeywM5J0eo56o&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Dec 10, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            A little wet down here today.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers appreciated for us and those we encounter today!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling had a long conversation with these two fellow believers, encouraging each other!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVCx9Ym4qGpv40vgeqlolFmm5PM8vOwZviu91Kq-b8T36gakRQzBq5uWNApV9dhCnoBfkAHSEmSRZi2Gj7VcA24_6b0diBQ0XGYtdfxGsvzvPNVc8GLXffudGP-cecdXWtZcPxhuCXwZnaE_W05tlhb5odDcHYI4LWyijwsbZlElrNRK-KJLGo1hrAeVrphDaM&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Dec 2, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going to be a warm-rainy one, today. Prayers appreciated!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SEC Championship Evangelism
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXwS-valF7958uF2cGTWfpmUGcIxKvg0siYVQ-zGXacy3J-eW05lhG8aiJKk3_-VJOHFaXyPiVFM8Wm-Sh51Z6iXs0DGE5gA55woLzDSWhv-P3Xd5L0_1WYKpAuipJTPIrp8vg2USjgmT9uJHjcac0Ogx21BTnccm4ZMEAvP-QnjBuLUg3233VelvNdnbwoeAo&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thankful to be able to share the Gospel with UGA and Bama fans today. God blessed us with 10 preachers today. I failed to get a team photo but they know who they are! Here are a few photos.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Also, Although by the radar early on we should have been rained on all day, but it never rained.Thank You, Lord, for Your kindness and mercy!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bobby brought 3 young guys from his church, Mark drove down from North Georgia, Joshus Tubbs and Rush drove over from Birmingham, and Stirling and Jamie rode down with me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZV17W71BIWFeirxkjUjWUGb4-9KTSNbLDNn0oT-QTNWvIqk1ZoZlIXSXmjT7GdDh54yAza5XKluc2kLv24GSgqALCUWw41THFa1itWkiyt_kGOjUrc1du2VvBmA0b7UhpSkChp2ifTLDwHFX3Vo5BO0egVgw0K1cVvJpx20Wt46rQM_AKoBFnRsugVasiAMNdw&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Nov 25, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Had a busy weekend with outreaches at the UGA vs GT game on Saturday evening and then at the NO Saints vs the Falcons game on Sunday morning. Often we hear tales of hecklers and nay-sayers and their silly comments and accusations so I wanted to change that up a bit by sharing two very nice encounters I had.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SATURDAY: While Stirling was preaching at the UGA vs GT game a girl stood off to the side and listened for a while. She approached me and said she had seen us out there at the games I clarified that she had seen Stirling out there but I had not been there in years. She was a senior and a member of BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministries) and was telling me how they were focusing on evangelism on campus. What an encouragement to meet these young believers who love the Lord and their fellow students!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SUNDAY: there was a man and woman set up selling hotdogs near our ministry locations. After I had finished preaching and while
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/stirling.long.5?__cft__[0]=AZWqLwJT6Zfp0x2Nf95Y04ew3fnXA64KYwQmQTGi7_CVQmXJ8EoubHH-64r2RUgxdM5mJsmoxnaEkvNAuOLueLCqe4Dn5cEHLFBCYBTs4F0debAlU_DVLaXpCFoDwS8_BO5jNutILIMsSxT_vV2WsqmlfTlGR25X1qn91XdoLLgNn-4wjpb7QVrSD5La83X6OlE&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            was continuing the man walked over to me and thanked us for being there, telling me we were doing good work. He asked me about Stirling and Carol's sign that says something like "Are you going to Heaven?" and then says "Free Test". As I was explaining to him the test is to see if the person has kept the commandments. He stopped me and said, "That's not how you get to Heaven"! I explained that I agreed but it is simply to help people see they are in fact sinners in need of a Savior. Apparently, he had heard of that before because we immediately were back on the same page.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           we talked for a bit longer and traded sentiments as we were leaving the area later.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Of course. there were a few of the "hail satan" comments and the usual but we are thankful God sends His people to encourage His people!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Had a great time evangelizing at the UGA vs Ga Tech game!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWYlwLetFl-jXgvA7WfGM8bkN-PvfFRQNdD2EJk42MjBYd08KmqYxk_hopoFxtm03gufOhN2d1ZZhNWkXwAiPZ__AdQusHmkkWr8KSF9LGrtvs7B1RZfc9x4WiKfV_gzU5xpleGO3lIQP_x6MK6Wf8P3BapiwTKLozn8N8J1ghj_tWMRsUnppxDYXbfcnN3SAM&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVCzpUzqOgmuuqzc6dfWJdCb1JFBChk_jk-0F5nsRdcOFBpVMLTUgyYSXEU2C2nrPaArG2a1wk5h5tcXI7zuM9EdS6hptv80ZuWo70QLYelCrU3-z3KGZEHobyeuZ07lY_u6_b21TRh171dOkpocVgXbVX5Hvp4GJCxNchWKuZZsxEXrPXz9OQ_KH6fYIAi6UI&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/athensevangelism?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVCzpUzqOgmuuqzc6dfWJdCb1JFBChk_jk-0F5nsRdcOFBpVMLTUgyYSXEU2C2nrPaArG2a1wk5h5tcXI7zuM9EdS6hptv80ZuWo70QLYelCrU3-z3KGZEHobyeuZ07lY_u6_b21TRh171dOkpocVgXbVX5Hvp4GJCxNchWKuZZsxEXrPXz9OQ_KH6fYIAi6UI&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #athensevangelism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/gatech?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVCzpUzqOgmuuqzc6dfWJdCb1JFBChk_jk-0F5nsRdcOFBpVMLTUgyYSXEU2C2nrPaArG2a1wk5h5tcXI7zuM9EdS6hptv80ZuWo70QLYelCrU3-z3KGZEHobyeuZ07lY_u6_b21TRh171dOkpocVgXbVX5Hvp4GJCxNchWKuZZsxEXrPXz9OQ_KH6fYIAi6UI&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #gatech
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Nov 11, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/athensevangelism?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVEkCY2riLHshJtYwaqSQZusfkmg9k7R23VNOJ8LeOm6N0PqDVFs6bhvpGKJW36rU_RBr7TuvKjFt5R7s53f0727yF2Cl2UDzF0j4PNxEEb-ecsY9p1aSE2aXgruxoTIGK7ZLcXOUnKC_bxGt-WJaJZ09JCN8v3UkmvwqIrxQsFhVDiLWkxZdJ8uLoPfNwAeL8&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #athensevangelism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Athens streets are crowded tonight.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many Ole Miss folks in town
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers Appreciated!  Last home game!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWxJLCJBvMzvVvdNlTL54wbLjk5R83MxfwAS6aQfmnN04bpetomVvJX2FEJoI06cFegFXzy1K0UXBOeC5e2Ec_AKGVLBYBlrLv3nfSBn2-N3vop14oThO06KpGTtXlPrl3JvuvnHsT7XLlZXbRlz-2TccFH8K2Raepe1HzdjeVq7Ey8DTmwy3PgmsCtPXr4c1g&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
             Ole Miss vs UGA.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Nov 4, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We had a special guest drive over from South Carolina for today’s UGA outreach. Was a blessing to have Ken White with us. We also had Rich Suplita and Scott Phillips. Rich began the preaching, and then Scott and Scott closed us out.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We gave away tracts and had a few interactions with folks, but not necessarily productive ones. At the end, as Scott was finishing up a guy came to us playing a harmonica and dancing around, attempting to distract from the preaching. He was yelling, “It’s Saturday, NOT Sunday!” and calling us names. He got in my face and was yelling about suing a church for something, calling me a female dog and saying, “$#!@ you and Trump!” Not sure what Trump had to do with it outside of the fact that some think all Christians are Trump supporters. As he was leaving he yelled. “This is Saturday, NOT Sunday!”, again. Scott looked at him and said, ‘If you promise to come to my church tomorrow, I’ll stop preaching right now. Will you come to my church tomorrow?” The guy adamantly replied, “NO!”. Scott replied, “That’s why I’m out here! For your good, Sir!” Perfect response!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The weather was great, the men did a great job of preaching for almost 3 hours with many souls hearing the Gospel and receiving Gospel tracts! We had a wonderful time of evangelism and fellowship! We have one more home game next week and that’s the end of the season at Sanford Stadium. We plan on going to the UGA vs GT game in Atlanta in a few weeks, then we have the SEC championship game which we try to preach at as well. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you for your continuing prayers! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until All Hear!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Corinthians 5:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Oct 7, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doug Renz, Rich Suplita and I were dropped off by Kim around 3:45 and we were set up around 4:00PM, near gate 2 as usual. We like to give the visiting preacher, in this case Doug, the middle spot so the crowd is a little thicker than when we first start. I had not preached at the last two football outreaches so I would go last and Rich was the lead off man. We preached for about 3 hours, give or take and passed out tracts during that time as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a few hecklers and were told we were #1 a few times (Meaning we were flipped off). We also had a few encouragers that thanked us for being there. As I was preaching a guy walked over and stood there patiently listening until I stopped and acknowledged him. He just wanted to say, “Thank you for doing this.” What a blessing it is when fellow Followers of Christ stop to encourage. Many who claim to be followers revile against us with the famous, “you’re doing it wrong!” or, “You’re the reason people don’t get saved!” mantras.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a good day with a good crowd, as usual. We gave away quite a few tracts and preached to thousands of people. Thankful for Bro. Doug who drove 2.5 hours to be with us!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until All Hear!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Corinthians 5:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Sep 23, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jamie, Daniel, Rich, and I arrived at the stadium around 4:30 PM, with a 7:30 PM kick-off.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As usual, the crowd was light in the beginning and Jamie led off the preaching. Daniel went 2nd and we let him preach for a while since he was visiting. Rich finished off the day and we packed up and headed to the pickup location.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I spoke to a lady who was a believer for about 30 minutes. She took issue with the delivery of the preacher and his comments on gender confusion. She began the conversation pretty upset but we ended up having a great conversation, discussing truth, manner of delivery, etc.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Rich was preaching a man got in his face and I am not sure if he pushed him or what exactly happened, but I know he put his hands on Rich. The police officer came and removed the man from in front of Rich and asked Rich if he wanted him arrested. Rich said he did not and the man went on his way. Thankful for a good rapport with law enforcement.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another man yelled at everyone saying Rich didn’t know what he was talking about. After he yelled at everyone else I asked him what his beef was with the preaching. He informed me that the Muslim god and the Christian God were the same God. I asked him who the Muslims say Jesus is and he responded rightly saying they believe Jesus is a prophet. I reminded him that Jesus was God, not just a prophet. At that point, he informed me that he had a PhD in World Religion from UGA. Enough said…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for the ministry and all the SFOI1000 evangelists!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Corinthians 5:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Sep 16, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The weather was perfect! Overcast with a hint of a breeze. It did drizzle a little on us but it was welcome after a very hot and humid summer here in Georgia. Kim dropped Rich, Mack, Mark, and myself off at the drop-off location then returned to pick up Jamie.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We set up and Mack led off the preaching, followed by Jamie, Mark, and Rich. This was the largest crowd for this season. Thousands of people packed the student center and bridge area before kick-off. As Rich was preaching he had a captive audience for a good while. That’s one advantage to being close to a major gate. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were blessed to have Mark Yoho join us from up in North Georgia. Always a blessing to minister with Brother Mark. See video below.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We passed out a good number of tracts. I stopped keeping track of how many we pass out a few years ago. God knows. :) We also ran into a couple of friends I know from work and other outreaches as well as shared conversations with a few people that work around the venue that we have gotten toi know over the years. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a great day of ministry!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our next outreach is Saturday September 23, 2023. Ministry time is from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until All Hear!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Corinthians 5:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, Sep 12, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rich Suplita, Jamie Smith, Scott Phillips, Mack and I arrived at Sanford around 3:00PM.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There was a new gate on the bridge so our normal spot was right between the two gates. One of the campus police asked us to move above the gate because he wasn’t sure what the crowd was going to look like with both gates so close, so we complied. Attendance for the easy-win was just under 93,000.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jamie led off the rpeaching, followed by Mack, Scott and myself, with Rich deferring to me since I had missed Friday night preaching in Athens. We had several people comment as they passed by and gave away several Gospel tracts as the day went along. We preached until right before kick-off at 6:PM and packed up. Kim picked us up at the usual spot and drove us back to our meeting spot.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           I had a conversation with a man when I was preaching who asked me what I was talking about. I told him I was talking about Jesus and the Gospel. I asked him if he was a believer and he said, “I believe in a higher power.” I asked him who that higher power was and he said he wasn’t sure. I explained to him that it was Jesus and we talked a little about repentance and faith before I handed him off to Scott, as I finished up preaching.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Below is a post I shared on social media, noting a few comments/reactions I got as I was passing out tracts:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Funny how just standing in a spot offering Gospel tracts draws push back.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1. I was flipped off by an apparent lesbian and her girlfriend.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2. I offered a tract to an older gentleman and he said, "I have God, and I don't need you"!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3. A man walked by and said, "God said, you can go home."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I wasn't preaching or really doing anything but offering a tract and saying, "Gospel", to let them know what I had.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The front of the tracts say, "God is Good" so they weren't antagonistic or anything.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you for your prayers!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until All Hear!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Date:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, Sep 9, '23 (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ben Hill Griffin Stadium)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Scott Phillips, Jamie Smith and I arrived at the stadium and began preaching around 9:30. Jamie began, followed by Scott and myself. It was a beautiful day and a good crowd as usual outside the stadium. We preached for about 2 and a half hours and passed out Gospel tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jamie spent a lot of time having one-on-one conversations with people as well. He never meets a stranger and is gifted in that way. It was pretty non-eventful as hecklers go. As I was preaching a drinking pastor approached Jamie and told him I needed to stop preaching that “explative”.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Other than that everyone was pretty nice and cordial. As we were packing up a worker told us she was glad we stopped. Said we were hurting her ears. I promise, we were not the loudest thing at that stadium, but it was us that was bothering her.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until All Hear!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Sep 2, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God's Perfect Provisions, Hedges of Protection to each one of you there body-spirit-heart-soul, God Is Providing your every needs, you will lack of nothing, in the Mighty and powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, the Author and The Finisher of your Faith, HalleluYAH! Amen!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Alex+Burt+2-95ca5dcb.png" length="473256" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Apr 2025 17:03:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-alex-burt</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Alex+Burt+2-95ca5dcb.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Alex+Burt+2-95ca5dcb.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Spreading the Faith in the  Democratic Republic of the Congo</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/spreading-the-faith-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelism Global - The Democratic Republic of the Congo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG_20240903_155816-af3538a9.jpg"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Photos featuring the local ministry as organized by Evangelism Global headed by Brother Bertin Mwanya. They are involved in evangelism through open air crusades and making use of various opportunities to include sports, festivals and other events to spread the Gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The photo above shows local evangelists in training.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250105-WA0088.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250119-WA0005.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250302-WA0110.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG_20240920_093721-7617e4d1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            "This picture shows how our local Evangelists are making use of any gathering of people to win souls, likewise the local evangelists are getting ready to minister the Gospel at a place the local people fetch water ."
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Bertin 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG_20241217_093325-c09029b7.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            "This picture features how whenever and wherever it is possible to give out Bibles other relevant Christian literature through an evangelistic event."
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG_20240829_100846-0b4cbd74.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            A picture featuring a church plant following an evangelistic event.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bertin Mwanya is the Founder of Evangelism Global, Chair of Train Indigenous Evangelists and Coordinator of The DRC Inland Mission.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           To contact and support Evangelism Global:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           WhatsApp :+243894486558
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           E-mail : 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:bmwanya@gmail.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           bmwanya@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           P.O.Box 212
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lubumbashi 7110501
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Katanga 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           DRC ( The Democratic Republic of the Congo )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Central Africa 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG_20240903_155816-74ef14d0.jpg" length="178588" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Apr 2025 15:32:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/spreading-the-faith-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG_20240903_155816-74ef14d0.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG_20240903_155816-74ef14d0.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Long Beach Grand Prix Outreach - Joe Hinson</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/long-beach-grand-prix-outreach-joe-hinson</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Long Beach Grand Prix Outreach '25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/joe.hin" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           's daily reports about the Long Beach grand prix Outreach in California last April 11-13, 2025.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           April 10th - Going to the Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           April 11 - Day 1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           April 12 - Day 2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           April 13 - Day 3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Should you be interested in open-air preaching at home games and other events with Joe, contact him directly: 940-230-7477
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           joe.hin@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Aprol+12-2.jpg" length="275645" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Apr 2025 15:09:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/long-beach-grand-prix-outreach-joe-hinson</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Aprol+12-2.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Aprol+12-2.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 -  Landon Thurman</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-landon-thurman</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Landon Thurman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Crypto.com Arena
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Landon+Thurman+-+La+Lakers-01f7e876.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Cotton Bowl Outreach Ohio St. vs. Miami
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZb2Xb8z7FikklJoNMT8y3CGyhG-1TKI4qK5nFvrzzcSn0vtvjpDfBiskwbFz64rov7DUS8_e5vhdPveFMu1opuph12L0uFUrN40GEhCsGNNn4P25YixvgGiJflzW0qkhdjjXYPu1tqQ6hWVXKSpZtqhc7bm2rotEhS0qos5L19UD7VhTgy0KrC3BX3N0ijEzGRCnJG4PWzBrW-Uq7IknjKkNP22iUZkTkYx6kMG73_TwGBQfihSc7kpxZ0eTjA2QzeuS_B3P_RrWpM9lv7gq4Yv&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mighty work this New Year’s Eve, twelve of us were out there (Brothers Jason, Cody, Joe, Will, Jacob, Juan, Chris B., Jai, Adam, Greg, Pastor Landon, and myself) proclaiming Christ to the 100,000+ fans gathered at AT&amp;amp;T Stadium for the Cotton Bowl between Ohio State and Miami.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not many extended conversations this time but the Gospel was proclaimed clearly and boldly across three different entrances as massive crowds poured in for the game and tailgating outside. Our team was positioned at the front main entrance, where we were able to distribute around 600 gospel tracts during the three hours we were there. And many more tracts from the other two teams stationed around the stadium.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Much ground was covered with the Gospel that alone saves sinners. Please pray for all who received tracts and heard the message of Christ tonight. God bless you all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: April 9, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Lakers vs. Mavericks Game Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise God for another opportunity to lift up the name of Jesus and reach the sea of souls outside the American Airlines Center in Dallas as fans poured in for the Lakers vs. Mavericks game. We were able to distribute 350 Gospel tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • A family rode by on bikes, and the daughter Kirsten reached out to take a tract. The mother stopped, visibly moved and what seemed like tears telling me she needs Christ and was glad to see her take one, and asked if I would lift her in prayer—that the Lord would save her.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Two different times, a brother named Quinton and a sister named Elesha, came up to encourage us. They both said the message was being heard and to keep preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Andrew, a homeless man, listened to the preaching and then approached me looking to dialogue although as I tried engaging with him seemed to show that he was speaking to three other people around him that weren’t there. It became clear that whatever stronghold he was dealing with was trying to keep me from sharing with the crowd that poured in and gave him a tract to read.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please be praying for everyone who received a tract, heard the Gospel, and those we engaged with—Kirsten and her family, Quinton, Elisha, and Andrew—that God would water the seeds planted and draw many to saving faith in Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 - MLB
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: March 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Texas Rangers-Globe Life Park
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Opening Day: Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Glory to God for a powerful time of preaching today! The Lord gave us strength to proclaim His Word boldly with the horn, and the Gospel went forth in power. We were able to hand out 600 tracts and had two great conversations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One was with Richard, a man who had a confused mixture of Roman Catholicism and New Age mysticism, believing that energy is god rather than submitting to the truth of Scripture as the only standard of authority. He was relying on his own logic and reasoning to determine truth, so Jason used presuppositional apologetics to expose the flaws in his thinking—demonstrating that experience alone cannot define truth. This opened the door for a full Gospel conversation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another conversation was with Clint, a fellow believer who had questions about the distinction between God’s chosen people and Christians. We shared with him that God’s chosen people are not defined by ethnicity but by faith in Christ—all who believe in the Son and receive the Messiah are part of God’s elect.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for Richard, Clint, and all who received tracts and heard the preaching today. May the Lord convict hearts and bring many to repentance and faith in Christ. To Him be the glory forever. Amen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/486724819_2071730633251786_3027667976230447099_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: February 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mavericks vs. Pelicans Game at American Airlines Center
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brothers Jason, Adam, and I went out to lift up the banner of Christ and proclaim His Name outside the American Airlines Center as fans poured in for the Mavs vs. Pelicans game. It was a cold night 30 degrees, and while we didn’t have many conversations, the Lord allowed for His Word to go out with great unction.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One conversation stood out with a man named Abdul. He had taken a tract, stopped at the intersection to read it, and then came back asking if he could pray for me. Assuming he was a Christian, I agreed, but as he prayed, I recognized it was an AA mantra. Afterward, I introduced myself and asked his name. He told me he was Abdullah, a servant of Allah.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Concerned for his soul, I asked him, “If you died today, why should God let you into Heaven?” He admitted he wasn’t sure but said he tries his best and then shared that he had almost died yesterday and had been beaten up in the area. I asked if he knew what Jesus actually said about how to get to Heaven. He replied, “Yeah, he’s just a prophet, and even though I’m Muslim, we have the same god.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I interjected, explaining that the God of the Bible is not the god of the Quran. I shared how Jesus is God Who condescended in the flesh, and came to save sinners. I told him that Jesus said, “You must be perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” He said that only God is perfect. “That’s the dilemma,” I told him. “You’re not.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As I walked him through the Gospel—how Christ lived the perfect life we never could and took upon Himself the wrath we deserve—he grew visibly uncomfortable. He thanked me for the conversation and quickly ran across the street, but he left with the tract in his hand before I could wrap up the gospel. Pray that the Lord leads him to read the tract and that he comes to know Christ as his Savior.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By the end of the night, we had passed out around 300 tracts and preached as crowds poured into the arena. Pray for everyone who heard the Gospel, that the Lord would convict hearts and draw many to repentance and faith in Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: January 17, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Outreach at the Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/blos.rosales?__cft__[0]=AZWcT-7Z9w7JVsWTu5KzTPfIDmNQ9jRsrMPFUDVkT3fj2uNh6k5RdG6gzNQsGK90Hdm6sa0_KqssNkWgD7Iolc5Yrl0SB79kA2n_oK2cocFK08AYiylm4U9C77mVba3-5KKw2cBEr7wJTI0xLGHRhFam-K1lh05097UCiMQ3ndMvWWR7PfC0MDn31YzG1qE9N3sXuDohLb6E0nckDg66mbmI&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Carlos Rosales
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/brent.quinones.7?__cft__[0]=AZWcT-7Z9w7JVsWTu5KzTPfIDmNQ9jRsrMPFUDVkT3fj2uNh6k5RdG6gzNQsGK90Hdm6sa0_KqssNkWgD7Iolc5Yrl0SB79kA2n_oK2cocFK08AYiylm4U9C77mVba3-5KKw2cBEr7wJTI0xLGHRhFam-K1lh05097UCiMQ3ndMvWWR7PfC0MDn31YzG1qE9N3sXuDohLb6E0nckDg66mbmI&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brent Quinones
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/will.dieterich.10?__cft__[0]=AZWcT-7Z9w7JVsWTu5KzTPfIDmNQ9jRsrMPFUDVkT3fj2uNh6k5RdG6gzNQsGK90Hdm6sa0_KqssNkWgD7Iolc5Yrl0SB79kA2n_oK2cocFK08AYiylm4U9C77mVba3-5KKw2cBEr7wJTI0xLGHRhFam-K1lh05097UCiMQ3ndMvWWR7PfC0MDn31YzG1qE9N3sXuDohLb6E0nckDg66mbmI&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Will S Dieterich
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            , Jason Osborne,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/michael.c.torres?__cft__[0]=AZWcT-7Z9w7JVsWTu5KzTPfIDmNQ9jRsrMPFUDVkT3fj2uNh6k5RdG6gzNQsGK90Hdm6sa0_KqssNkWgD7Iolc5Yrl0SB79kA2n_oK2cocFK08AYiylm4U9C77mVba3-5KKw2cBEr7wJTI0xLGHRhFam-K1lh05097UCiMQ3ndMvWWR7PfC0MDn31YzG1qE9N3sXuDohLb6E0nckDg66mbmI&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Redeemed Wretch
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , and I had the privilege of sharing the Gospel outside the Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game. By God’s grace, 400 Gospel tracts went out, and we had some memorable encounters. Jason handed Gospel tracts to two former NBA players, Derek Harper and Devin Jones, who both played for the Mavericks.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One encounter was with a homeless young man named Julian, who approached me asking to borrow my phone. While I didn’t feel comfortable lending it out, I handed him a Gospel tract instead and asked if he knew where he would go when he died. His answer was, “I hope to a nice castle.” I told him there is a Kingdom, but whether or not he would enter it depends on how he responds to the Gospel. I explained the reality of why we die—because of our sin (Romans 6:23)—and the eternal consequences of sin, which is separation from God in hell. From there, I walked him through the Gospel, and he listened attentively, expressing gratitude for the conversation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for Julian, Derek Harper, and Devin Jones, and for all of those that we had the privilege of sharing with that the seed would fall on good ground, and that the Lord would draw them all to repentance and faith in Christ, grafting them into His Kingdom.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a blessed time, and the Word went forth in power. May the Lamb who was slain receive the reward of His suffering and bring the increase for His glory. God bless!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: January 16, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Outreach at the University of North Texas
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today, brothersWill S Dieterich, Jason Osborne, A Redeemed Wretch, and I had the privilege of preaching the Gospel at the University of North Texas. We spent four hours sharing the love of Christ in the open air, and praise the Lord for the fruit that came from it!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By God’s grace, more than 300 Gospel tracts were distributed, six Bibles were handed out, and we shared many of our apologetics brochures that debunk the false religions of today. The Lord also allowed us to have several meaningful conversations with students who stopped by our table.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here are three memorable encounters from today:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1️⃣ While Brother Will was preaching directly from the Greek, a young woman named Mariah sat down on a nearby bench to listen. After some time, she approached us to share how thankful she was for the sound teaching being shared on campus. She told us she had stuck around specifically to make sure no false teaching was being spread. Her encouragement as a sister in the faith with a care for truth was such a blessing to us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2️⃣ We had a conversation with two Roman Catholics who were trusting in their religious institution and their works for salvation, rather than accepting the free gift of salvation by trusting in the finished work of Christ alone. This led to a beautiful Gospel presentation with one of them, Carter, and a Gospel tract was given to the other, James. Please pray for both of them to turn from works-based righteousness and place their faith fully in Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3️⃣ A young man named Taylor approached mockingly, asking if we really believed that preaching worked. Right as he asked, someone off in the distance cried out, “Hallelujah!” in response to Cody’s preaching. I turned to Taylor and said, “That’s a testimony to it working, right before your eyes.” As the conversation continued, I asked him where he thought he would go after death. He said he hoped for heaven because he was a “very religious Baptist.” Thankfully, he allowed me to explain that trusting in our own goodness or religious practices leads us straight to hell—just as Christ rebuked the religious elites, the Pharisees, calling them whitewashed tombs—clean on the outside but dead on the inside (Matthew 23:27). From there, I transitioned to sharing the true Gospel with him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please join us in praying for everyone who heard the Gospel, received a tract or a Bible, and specifically for Carter, Taylor, James, and Mariah. May the Lord bring them all to repentance and saving faith in Christ alone and may He receive the reward of His suffering. God bless!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: January 10, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           College Playoff Semifinal Outreach at AT&amp;amp;T Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise God for another opportunity to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, this time at the College Playoff Semifinal game between Texas and Ohio State at the AT&amp;amp;T Stadium. With as many as 80,000 fans in attendance, we were out there from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM, preaching and handing out over 300 Gospel tracts in just 2.5 hours.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A challenging crowd filled with hostility towards Christ and His glorious Gospel of salvation. A lot of ridicule and many blasphemous things are spoken of about the One True Living God. Yet, even in the midst of the mockery, the Lord brought forth comfort throughout the evening by sending a few brothers in Christ to approach us with words of encouragement, giving us hugs, and thanking us for being there. Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While we were handing out tracts, local strippers from a nearby strip club were trying to counteract our efforts, passing out cards promoting their club like you might see on the Vegas Strip. Even as I was preaching, Brother Jason was passing out tracts when an older, intoxicated man suddenly walked behind him and slapped the stack of tracts out of his hand, sending them all across the floor. It happened right in front of me as I was preaching, so I immediately called out the man’s behavior, reminding him that one day, he would stand before God to give an account not just for this action but for every sin in his life. With that warning, the man starred me down in my face, and a switch must have gone off in his brain because he paused, seemingly convicted by the truth and apologized to Jason, knelt down to help pick up the tracts, and walked away holding one of those Gospel tracts in his hand. Praise God for that moment of grace!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for everyone who heard the Gospel and received a tract, especially the intoxicated man and those we encountered throughout the night. Pray the Lord grants repentance and gives the gift of saving faith in Jesus Christ. God bless, and may He continue to be glorified in the seeds that were sown there!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: January 7, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1/7/25 Dallas Mavs. Vs. Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise God for an amazing night of ministry at the Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers game! Thank you to all of you who prayed for us tonight.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was absolutely freezing out there—34 degrees, with a wind chill that made it feel like 22—but here’s a testimony of God’s faithfulness: I prayed to the Lord, asking Him to warm me up as we planned to be out there for three hours. Literally right after I prayed, an officer walked over, handed me some hand warmers, and said, “These will warm you right up.” I hadn’t asked her or anyone else; it was completely the providence of our Father answering that prayer and sending her. Praise God!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Despite the cold, storms of fans rolled through, rushing toward the entrance and waiting outside in long lines. We had the privilege of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them as they passed by. While there weren’t many conversations tonight, around 400 Gospel tracts went out, and we trust the Lord will use them to lead His people to Himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please join us in praying for everyone who heard the Word and received a tract—that the Lord would bless them with repentance and faith in Christ. God bless!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Hockey Outreach
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: January 4, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1/4/25 Dallas Stars vs. Utah Hockey Club Outreach 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Jason Osborne and I had the privilege of heading out to the American Airlines Center to preach to the 18,000+ hockey fans attending the game. For three hours, we proclaimed the Gospel to the crowds as they poured into the stadium.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On the way to our spot, we met a fan named Isaac. He had all the right “Christianese”—the lingo about Christianity—but when it came down to it, his faith was empty because he didn’t understand why Christ died. Jason shared the Gospel with him, and though Isaac had a look of concern on his face about his profession of faith, he said he’d think about it tonight. He also allowed us to pray for him before we moved on.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We set up near the front entrance of the stadium, where the waves of hockey fans streamed in. It was a tough crowd—most people didn’t want anything to do with Jesus. There was mocking, insults, and plenty of people claiming their own goodness, saying things like, “We’re good because we go to church.” But church isn’t saving anyone. Only Jesus Christ saves. Only God is good. I kept reminding them to look to Christ, not their church membership, for salvation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When the last wave of fans entered the stadium, we packed up and headed back to the car, only to discover a long line of people standing on the street, waiting to get into the House of Blues. We saw the opportunity and took it, heading straight over to share Christ with the line of people stuck waiting for their show to start.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is where we met Andrew, a recent convert to the Black Hebrew Israelite movement. He believed salvation was only for Israel, that African Americans are the true tribe of Judah, and that salvation comes by keeping the commandments. Rather than diving into the errors of his doctrine, I went straight to the Gospel. I told him that right now, he was like the Pharisees Jesus rebuked—whitewashed tombs, clean on the outside but dead on the inside. The law can’t save anyone. Only Christ can set him free. I handed him one of our tracts that exposes the false doctrine of the Black Hebrew Israelites and points to the truth of Scripture.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray that the Lord grants repentance and faith to Isaac, Andrew, and all who heard the preaching tonight. May God bless and use the seeds that were sown for His glory. God bless.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: 5/1/24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Brothers Landon, Tatsuo, and Leo headed out to the Los Angeles Clipper's Game 5 against the Dallas Mavericks to preach the Gospel and pass out Gospel Tracts to the fans from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Please keep these brothers in your prayers  as well as all of those the Lord brings across their path.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Landon Thurman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Founder / President / Missionary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           p: 310.754.9295 | landon@testimoniesofGod.org 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Landon+Thurman+-+La+Lakers-01f7e876.jpg" length="206889" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:46:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-landon-thurman</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Landon+Thurman+-+La+Lakers-01f7e876.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Landon+Thurman+-+La+Lakers-01f7e876.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Teach Beyond UK</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/teach-beyond-uk</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jack Charnley's TeachBeyond Prayer News
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/TB+Logo-UK-d95b502c.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.teachbeyond.org.uk/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           TeachBeyond
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            connects Christian teachers, headteachers, RAs, dorm parents, and support staff with exciting educational opportunities around the world. 
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            God is using our members, their skills, and contexts to bring the light and healing of the Gospel to all—children, adults, leaders, and ministry workers alike in countries around the world."
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Check out Jack Charnley's (below, wearing a blue shirt) April - May update about his mission in Mahasarakham, Thailand on his newsletter:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Screenshot+2025-04-09+114918.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            If you would like to know more about TeachBeyond, email Jack at:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           jcharnley@teachbeyond.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            or go to:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.teachbeyond.org.uk" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           www.teachbeyond.org.uk
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Giving:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.teachbeyond.org.uk/give" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           www.teachbeyond.org.uk/give
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://donate.uk@teachbeyond.org" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           donate.uk@teachbeyond.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/TB+Logo-UK.png" length="12921" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:58:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/teach-beyond-uk</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/TB+Logo-UK.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/TB+Logo-UK.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ministry Highlight: Reformation Chicago</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/ministry-highlight-reformation-chicago</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reformation Chicago
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/6f73d3c3-b85e-e443-a71b-f82c4d1198f0.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.reformationchicago.com/our-mission" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reformation Chicago
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    
          's Mission: "
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are seeking reformation of the city of Chicago through evangelism, training and discipleship, and church planting. "
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Read updates of their outreaches, programs and trainings on their newsletter:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Millenium Park Evangelism: March 22nd
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On March 22nd, Covenant’s Youth Group joined our outreach, along with believers from Moody, Lynwood URC, MARS, our Bible study, and elsewhere. We had a total of 34 people, including baby Micaiah, making this our second-largest outreach to date. We split into groups of 2-3 and evangelized people from multiple nations and from all over America. But as a PCA pastor once said, ‘it is better to train a soul winner than merely win souls.’ It is deeply encouraging that many shared the gospel with a stranger for the first time that day. After evangelism, we split into two groups and debriefed over pizza on the 21st and 26th floors of nearby buildings, thanks to two gracious hosts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you could not attend this larger outreach, we will be hosting other large outreaches on April 19th and May 10th in partnership with Grace OPC Hanover Park. Additionally, on May 5th, Dr. Watkin’s evangelism class at MARS will be evangelizing with us. These are great opportunities to join us in the city if you are interested!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/c25a1edd-f554-b995-fc6e-da6916de814f.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          If you would like to know more about R
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            eformation Chicago or want to join their events, outreaches and church planting, go to:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://reformationchicago.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=38d4a474ed48a6385b4ed80a9&amp;amp;id=220eaa8e83&amp;amp;e=503b9cee25" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           reformationchicago.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            or email: info@reformationchicago.com
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/6f73d3c3-b85e-e443-a71b-f82c4d1198f0.png" length="443250" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:16:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/ministry-highlight-reformation-chicago</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/6f73d3c3-b85e-e443-a71b-f82c4d1198f0.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/6f73d3c3-b85e-e443-a71b-f82c4d1198f0.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Spreading the faith in Uganda</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/spreading-the-faith-in-uganda</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Spreading the Faith in Uganda
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Ap. Everns T. Bagamuhunda
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , founder of Sign Ministries in Mbarara City, Uganda shares their various programs and soul winning outreaches.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you want to learn more about their mission, contact Everns Turyahikayo Bagamuhunda
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           signministriesug@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (078) 296-1421 | +256782961421
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus Match Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelism Ministry training
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG_20250407_164210_830.jpg" length="598585" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:56:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/spreading-the-faith-in-uganda</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG_20250407_164210_830.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG_20250407_164210_830.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Dreamville Concert Evangelism - Joe Toy</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/dreamville-concert-evangelism-joe-toy</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Final Four Outreach '25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/josephtoyjr" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    
          's
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           post about the Dreamville Concert in Raleigh, NC last April 5, 2025. Praise the Lord for the opportunity to proclaim Him!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           "
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many souls hearing about Jesus. Lots of gospel tracts going out."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Should you be interested in open-air preaching in North Carolina, contact Joe Toy: (610) 324-1671
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           oamphilly@aol.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/489430519_23864809133125042_3838793891618575055_n.jpg" length="626151" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Apr 2025 14:35:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/dreamville-concert-evangelism-joe-toy</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/489430519_23864809133125042_3838793891618575055_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/489430519_23864809133125042_3838793891618575055_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Final Four - Landon Thurman</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/final-four-landon-thurman</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Final Four Outreach '25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/landon.thurman.9" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Landon Thurman's
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            post about his 3-day long experience at the Final Four Outreach in San Antonio, TX last April 3 to 5, 2025.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           04/03-05/25 – River Walk San Antonio Final Four 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise God for a powerful weekend of Gospel proclamation with Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi in San Antonio during the Final Four. The River Walk bar scene was flooded with people, and by God’s grace we were able to preach freely for hours, pass out over 1,500 tracts, and hand out two Bibles.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Key Encounters: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Chris, whose family was in town because they play for Duke, said he witnessed a demonically possessed man reacting violently to the preaching which led him to approach us, seeking freedom from his bipolar disorder. He shared that he believes God speaks to him through colors. I redirected him to the authority of God’s revealed Word and walked him through the Gospel. He acknowledged that this was not coincidence but God drawing him. He said he wanted to be “as white as my shirt”—forgiven and made new with a clean slate. We exchanged numbers to follow up.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Had two conversations with Jehovah’s Witnesses, both of which led to opportunities to point to the deity of Christ and expose their false doctrine.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Keith and Angel came over feeling convicted and thanked us for preaching out there.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Carmen, a homeless woman, recited large portions of Scripture and claimed to know Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. She lacked assurance of salvation and asked to be discipled. It was a strange but memorable conversation. She received a Bible and asked for a solid local church that should could attend on Sunday.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Dianna, a believer, thanked us and said the preaching in the open air was convicting and encouraged her to share her faith more boldly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Erica, a woman with her dog, came asking for prayer. She and her friend were shaken by a drunken man who she said “manifested” a demon. We shared that true deliverance is found in Christ alone and presented the Gospel to her, as it seemed she herself was unfamiliar with it and led her to tears.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Kenny, a young man who said he believes in Christ but lacks assurance, heard the Gospel clearly and wanted to get right with God right on the spot.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Sanchez, about to head off to military, initially rejected a tract but was later overheard discussing it with his friends. I approached and asked what he thought would happen when he dies. His friends walked off, but he stayed and engaged in a deep Gospel conversation. He said he wasn’t sure of his eternal state at first but thanked me for the bold warning and conversation about how he can have assurance of everlasting life in Christ today. He took a Bible and was exhorted to seek the Lord while preparing for enlisting into the military.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Tammy, who saw her daughter talking to Jehovah’s Witnesses, took a tract. I shared why the JWs are a cult, and she later returned to read our sign and ask why we believe we are going to Heaven. We told her it’s by Christ alone. She then revealed she was Catholic, which opened up a Gospel discussion with her and asked how she could have true freedom from her alcoholism addiction and shared how true freedom is found in Christ alone, for whom the Son sets free shall be free indeed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Bryson stopped to listen to the preaching. He was trusting in his own repentance and prayer life. I pointed him to Christ alone, and after hearing the Gospel, he asked for prayer and said he needed that message tonight.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Joe, who had a mixture of moralism, Judaism, and Christianity in his beliefs, claimed God’s name was “Yahua.” After walking him through Scripture and the Gospel, he came to understand the biblical truth of eternal security and salvation by grace alone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • A young man recognized us from social media, asked for a hug, and later approached Jason asking for prayer to discern if it’s God’s will for him to join the military.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            • To top it all off, while filming for our open-air preaching documentary, our videographer was stirred up to lift up his voice and preach the Gospel for the very first time—and he loved it!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A beautiful and fruitful weekend. Please pray for all these precious souls we encountered, that the Lord would water the seeds sown and bring forth a harvest of souls for His glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/489632947_2081768735581309_8534353780109666679_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Videos of Landon, Michael, Jerardo, Warren and Jason preaching:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Christo+s+Event+Shoot_20250405_0042+-+Copy.JPG" length="392966" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Apr 2025 14:06:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/final-four-landon-thurman</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Christo+s+Event+Shoot_20250405_0042+-+Copy.JPG">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Christo+s+Event+Shoot_20250405_0042+-+Copy.JPG">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Campus Ministry - Brad Madewell</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-ministry-brad-madewell</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Campus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Brad Madewell
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brad+Madewell+-+Campus.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Campus' mission is for Christ to be preached and the Word of God to be taught in the open air at as many College and University campuses in the US as possible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you would like to preach with Brad, see the schedule below and contact him directly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga	Tuesday or Thursday: 2:15 PM (every other week)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/madewell_brad" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Brad Madewell
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:423-762-9944" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           423-762-9944
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:abcmadewell@yahoo.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           abcmadewell@yahoo.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Thankful to be with brothers Gene Bottoms and Bill Adams today at UTC college, preaching the glorious gospel of Christ! 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thanks for the prayers and Lord Bless!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, April 09, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On the left is brother Jason Houser in conversation with a UTC student named Mason who claims to be an atheist. Jason had a long Gospel conversation with him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Göspel preaching brings about Göspel conversations. Thankful to minister today with brother Gene at UTC college. A young lady, Tonya and a young man, Kylar, both gave testimonies of following Christ, praise Jesus. There was also some scoffing and boos yelled out, but hey Christ was lifted up. Also, spoke with Elijah was is following Jesus as well. Praise God for his people at UTC. Thanks for the prayers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, March 05, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We just had a great conversation with a young man named Darrel.  He gave a testimony that he is trusting in Christ alone.  Gene and I were able to pray with him to.  Praise the Lord!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thankful to preach Christ today at UTC college in Chattanooga TN with my brother Gene.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thankful to be with brother Gene Bottoms at UTC today sharing Jesus there.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, February 05, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise the Lord! We spoke to Christian and Stephen, who are part of the Baptist Collegiate ministry on Campus.  We were able to share with them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Thankful to preach Christ today at UTC college in Chattanooga TN, with brother Gene Bottoms.  Thanks for the prayers. Over 100 Göspel tracts were taken. There were some interactions, encouragement, flipped off, and told by a student to get off this campus. The Göspel sheds light into darkness, namely, Jesus the light of the world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thankful to preach today on the Good shepherd and the one door to God, Jesus Christ from John 10.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, October 07, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, October 02, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There were two good conversations, thankful to the Lord for, at UTC college today. Levi, an Environmental Science major, who we believe is a follower of Christ. Also, another young lady who is a junior Science major. We encouraged her to look to Jesus also. Glory to God for these opportunities today and for being able to preach Christ with brother Gene and brother Bill. Lord Bless.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thankful to preach Christ at UTc college today. Thank you for the prayers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preaching Christ at UTC college today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams preaching on the Life that is in Christ here in the campus at UTC college in Chattanooga TN
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: April 1, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thankful to preach Christ today at UTC college in Chattanooga TN with brother Gene.  Lord allowed us to give out close to 100 gospel tracts.  A young man named Elliot, a follower of Jesus stopped and encouraged us and we had prayer with him.  One lady yelled at us through her car window, seemed she hated the message of Christ.  Thanks for your prayers today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thankful to preach at UTC college today in Chattanooga TN from Luke 6:46-49.  Are You on the Foundation of Christ Himself?   Thanks for the prayers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brad+Madewell+-+Campus.jpeg" length="143301" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Apr 2025 17:34:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-ministry-brad-madewell</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">Campus Mission</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brad+Madewell+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brad+Madewell+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ministry Highlight: Gospel of God Ministries</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/ministry-highlight-gospel-of-god-ministries</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel Of God Ministries: Event
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          "
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Gospel of God Ministries... exists for the purpose of believers assembling to share the Gospel of God with the lost world.  Gospel of God Ministries is an extension of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://opendoorlife.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open Door Baptist Church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            in Raleigh, NC"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider joining the GGM team to share Christ, pray for others and encourage them to believe in Jesus. Click on the link below to see their April and May 2025 events happening at different locations in North Carolina and to sign up.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For questions, contact Tommy Waltz
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           @ 919-805-6108
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://mailchi.mp/45793c7e541b/preaching-opportunities-in-feb-11038128?fbclid=IwY2xjawJaWo9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVibG-Wd7QJajcDgrUUlIrfy3Cg8dyBI2RP53VmUiv6RqTqKIlc_tVjr2A_aem_zR0mujfet9a9aAWWpS1HBg" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           GGM APRIL and MAY 2025 EVENTS
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Screenshot+2025-04-03+101802.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Screenshot+2025-03-27+130451.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Sign up for the Founders Dinner on
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           4/3 6-8:30 pm at Open Door Church in Raleigh.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please share with those who might be interested in GGM. This is a fundraiser, and dinner is included.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Register here:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://signupgenius.com/go/60B0F4EADAB29A20-55162187-2025?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0ABuBw6VtlgCp-2GMFC-op6Cz_svTb6G29-hNoatZGH7VFvBgP0LFtN-g_aem_PLoa_EoEkbL-yJE_TZvZQg" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://signupgenius.com/go/60B0F4EADAB29A20-55162187-2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Contact Tommy Waltz to know more:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           twaltzggm@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.gospelgm.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0uDQRAinlIIwO-eOst1R1Zm00BazFEuYG09X3vMuWs109EkSaCmg4j-Xw_aem_lKIoWTDAsOv3AhE9sAX0rg" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Or go to: gospelgm.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/340864792_948417992979964_2423686031155761631_n.jpg" length="136776" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Apr 2025 17:22:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/ministry-highlight-gospel-of-god-ministries</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/340864792_948417992979964_2423686031155761631_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/340864792_948417992979964_2423686031155761631_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Jesus For Me Ministries: Spreading the Faith in Kenya</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/jesus-for-me-ministries-spreading-the-faith-in-kenya</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus for Me Ministries: Kenya
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jonathan Shako, founder of Jesus for Me Ministries shares photos and testimonies of what they do to preach Christ and spread the Gospel in Eldoret, Kenya.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Screenshot+2025-04-03+093204.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Screenshot+2025-04-03+093753.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Screenshot+2025-04-03+094332.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Screenshot+2025-04-03+095045.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Will you pray about travelling to Eldoret, work with Jesus for Me Ministries; then return home? Check out
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/air" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Air SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            for more details about this missionary work.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Screenshot+2025-04-03+093204.jpg" length="36862" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Apr 2025 13:58:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/jesus-for-me-ministries-spreading-the-faith-in-kenya</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Screenshot+2025-04-03+093204.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Screenshot+2025-04-03+093204.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Southern Oregon Evangelism Conference</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/southern-oregon-evangelism-conference</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Southern Oregon Evangelism Conference
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Reformed Baptist Church in Roseburg
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            , OR is hosting the 7th Annual
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Southern Oregon Evangelism Conference. Join Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers, who will provide biblical messages from the pulpit and lead you into law and gospel, and evangelism on the streets.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Below is the line up and schedule:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250331-WA0002.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250331-WA0001.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Learn more about the event here:
          &#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/AnnualSOEC" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/AnnualSOEC
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For inquiries, contact Mason Goodknight:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             evangelistmason@rbcdc.church
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            +1 541-580-8202
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Reformed Baptist Church:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://rbcdc.church/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            https://rbcdc.church/
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/481363060_1053785233461221_5729899606581736341_n.jpg" length="279271" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 31 Mar 2025 15:08:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/southern-oregon-evangelism-conference</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/481363060_1053785233461221_5729899606581736341_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/481363060_1053785233461221_5729899606581736341_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 -  Steven Kendall</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/ncaa-stevenkendall</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           N
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           CAA Men's Tournament
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Steven Kendall
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           March 28, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           NCAA Men's Tournament -
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lucas Oil Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For ministry schedules and other inquiries, contact Steven Kendall at: 219-885-8842
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           or
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           stevenkendall0711@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg" length="253842" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 31 Mar 2025 14:03:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/ncaa-stevenkendall</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 -  Brady Brewer</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-brady-brewer</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Brady Brewer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paycom Center
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/brewer_brady" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brady+Brewer.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: 3/29/25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Brady Brewer, Richard Walker and others from
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/116churchokc?__cft__[0]=AZUqkFEm0aQH250rSmz7K5ECFQvw9Bt4YCK-CBumBrZa5w6u5EXuMBJ0kb7eTU_7pIzGuqz_kUOHBhFadydxvnu0QFUI33VDBHVvIRCsT7P6cwlvw75vhUEWWNr1SFKtrrJpGIOVe1tcdxAzawv2cf6QqC9wJuibFBx2aYdvGhnS3Zn4wIsguOVLKEAO5N9OtWc&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           One: 16 Bible Church, OKC
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            preached to fans and distributed tracts at the OKC Thunder Game at PayCom Center.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/485987136_9852852208058799_2308437986460624848_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/485865658_9852883758055644_2507273297241323604_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/487208676_9852891018054918_8916564836929629618_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: 4/24/24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Picture of
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ronnie.qualls.35?__cft__[0]=AZVTVhpRpXQ2ycx0WCX696UrQTPe2Nks9dTrs_lV9So7ZXnojjtaQzhnwEFwDeDZpgFixA2sfedw63syE8Dk3_MHBkwBC04RdiuA3vfibBNqcKHE-3NRoNL7X9tKwhS7F4U89o5Ah-jqXszzrLjN1HR3pnc67xT-jYg8tk3bJr33xfS4qJrjKaAk8lXGdW8kFNNn56cBGhkDI9gbr18cYIZB&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ronnie
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             Qualls preaching,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jamie.watts.581?__cft__[0]=AZVTVhpRpXQ2ycx0WCX696UrQTPe2Nks9dTrs_lV9So7ZXnojjtaQzhnwEFwDeDZpgFixA2sfedw63syE8Dk3_MHBkwBC04RdiuA3vfibBNqcKHE-3NRoNL7X9tKwhS7F4U89o5Ah-jqXszzrLjN1HR3pnc67xT-jYg8tk3bJr33xfS4qJrjKaAk8lXGdW8kFNNn56cBGhkDI9gbr18cYIZB&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jamie
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Watts ministering to a couple of young ladies, and Brother Ken passing out tracts to people who walk by.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Picture of a lady sitting down and reading the tract (silent preacher) that we gave her. O Lord! Save souls!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: 14/3/24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Proclaiming the Gospel outdoors is such a glorious privilege, and we see every reaction possible. Today was no exception...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Had a guy come over and scream and cuss at me for a good 10 to 15 minutes..."Get off the block because nobody wants to hear you!" That incident was followed by this young man in the picture who stood across the street listening intently. I engaged him and he came over. He was a pleasant young man, and he wanted to know how he could know that God loved him. Jamie took him aside and talked with him for several minutes. His name is Jeremiah. Please pray for him. Thank you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Oklahom+City+Thunder+Mar+14+-24a.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: 27/2/24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was so good to see my friend, Matthew again at the bus station today. Last week, he listened to the gospel at length at the bus station. He then visited our church on Sunday. As soon as he heard my voice today, he came over to where I was to thank me for preaching out here  and also to thank me for our church welcoming him. I pray that the Lord continues to bring him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Oklahom+City+Thunder+Feb+27+-24a.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brady+Brewer.png" length="1197721" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 29 Mar 2025 16:30:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-brady-brewer</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brady+Brewer.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brady+Brewer.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>March Madness Preaching Opportunities</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/march-madness-preaching-opportunities</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           March Madness '25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            March Madness wraps up this week and leads to the Final Four Tournament in San Antonio, TX on April 4-7.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Will you go out and preach to fans and local citizens at these events and venues?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/483709856_1066233438879447_8976857581410584379_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams shares preaching opportunities for the week of March 24-30:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/rue.ross.96?__cft__[0]=AZXka9cYCs2WS42FOjhdGBSFP008_8MdPOdUvk_PRNihZ27fmD9eTtfzTHzq8j2_5edv1qgoLkkyiutEloFF6NPYL_AXa3Onk5u2PFOw_3T0vB7M-j3rA4LzpS9i2v7p4kof47oAN_mioZavTdaBx25-ezbAQPuojsNJ8cNAG3U9Hj3CZ2KDjQk4L3Npha-3OM8&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Rue Ross
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
              
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            is leading a Gospel evangelism outreach during the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, March 28-29 at Legacy Arena, Birmingham, AL.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you're in the area and would like to participate, contact Rue directly to join: christalone2003@gmail.com | 205-915-2180
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/484976240_1069821721853952_4139441733067416767_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/final-four" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Final Four Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            is happening next week! Event leader Bill Adams invites you to join the current 13 evangelists who will be sharing the bible in San Antonio, TX.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/483709856_1066233438879447_8976857581410584379_n.jpg" length="96939" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:29:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/march-madness-preaching-opportunities</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/483709856_1066233438879447_8976857581410584379_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/483709856_1066233438879447_8976857581410584379_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>FCB: Updates in Spreading the Faith</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/my-post241ec7c6</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open-Air Preaching in Bangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rashal Rana's Open Preaching Ministry Report and Update
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dear Friends in Christ,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I am writing to share an update on our open-air preaching ministry. We go out to preach the gospel three days a week, reaching at least 800–1,000 people with the Good News.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Since March, 22 people have come to Christ and accepted Jesus as their Savior. Additionally, more than 50 individuals have shown interest. We have their phone numbers and are following up with them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By God’s grace, new believers are joining the church and worshiping together. I have attached photos for your review. Please let me know if you have any questions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           May God bless you abundantly!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           --
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many Blessings! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rashal Rana 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Contact Details:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phone Number: +8801712793206
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           WhatsApp &amp;amp; Signal: +8801712793206 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Facebook, Instagram &amp;amp; LinkedIn: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:rashalrana93@gmail.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            rashalrana93@gmail.com
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg" length="6933" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Mar 2025 13:31:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/my-post241ec7c6</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>St. Pete Grand Prix - Stirling Long</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/st-pete-grand-prix-stirling-long</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           St. Pete Grand Prix Outreach '25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long's posts on his experience preaching to fans and locals at the St. Pete Grand Prix Outreach last Feb. 28-March 2 at St. Petersburg, FL.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           F
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           ebruary 28- Downtown St. Petersburg
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friday Open Air Preaching and witnessing at St. Pete’s Grand Prix. An amazing day Proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord of Lords and our only Hope for redemption.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           March 1 - Downtown St. Petersburg
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Another great day Open Air Preaching the Gospel on the streets of St. Petersburg, FL at this year’s Grand Prix. The Gospel preached by our team of Evangelists, brought about lots of reactions from passersby’s and hearers. This resulted in many one on one gospel centered conversations.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Most reacted to being told that if you negate and deny the works of Christ on the Cross, there was no other means of salvation. “on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” - Romans‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬ ‭ESV
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Saint+Pete_Grand+Prix_20250301__34.jpg" length="295234" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 Mar 2025 17:58:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/st-pete-grand-prix-stirling-long</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Saint+Pete_Grand+Prix_20250301__34.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Saint+Pete_Grand+Prix_20250301__34.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>FCB: Updates in Spreading the Faith</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/my-postddca3b92</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open-Air Preaching in Bangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rashal Rana's Open Preaching Ministry Reports and Updates
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Report Summary: In our open preaching ministry, we have been sharing the gospel message three days a week on the open streets. This outreach has allowed us to engage with many individuals from diverse backgrounds.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Outcomes:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Interest: Approximately 60% of the people we approached showed interest in learning more about Jesus and His kingdom, while 40% ignored the message.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            New Connections: 28 new individuals have expressed strong interest in knowing more about Jesus and His teachings.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            New Believers: 9 individuals have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. They are gradually learning from us, and we are providing regular follow-up and teaching to help them grow in their faith.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer Requests:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Printer for Printing Gospel Tracts: We seek prayers for a printer that will enable us to print gospel tracts for distribution during our open preaching ministry.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Wisdom and Guidance: Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance as we continue to share His message, disciple new believers, and reach more people for His kingdom.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We thank everyone for their continued support and prayers as we serve the Lord through our ministry.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           --
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many Blessings! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rashal Rana 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Contact Details:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phone Number: +8801712793206
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           WhatsApp &amp;amp; Signal: +8801712793206 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Facebook, Instagram &amp;amp; LinkedIn: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:rashalrana93@gmail.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            rashalrana93@gmail.com
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg" length="6933" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:25:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/my-postddca3b92</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>NBA All Star Outreach - Stirling Long</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/nba-all-star-outreach-stirling-long</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           NBA All Star Outreach '25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long's posts on his 3-day experience at the NBA All Star Outreach last Feb. 14-16 in San Francisco, CA.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Feb. 14 - Chase Center
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here’s pics of SFOI’s dedicated evangelists preaching on the streets and riding San Francisco’s incredible transport network. This is a great opportunity to witness and distribute gospel tracts and talk to passersby’s, fulfilling the Great Commission. “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” - Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Feb. 15 - Chase Center
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another exciting day Open Air Preaching at today’s NBA All Star Basketball Tournament. Our day began with Evangelists Preaching and debating Hebrew Black Israelites, an Ethnic Cult that preaches hate and discrimination. This cult had earlier moved into our preaching position and we welcomed the opportunity of engaging them the truth of the Gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             Later we moved closer to the Chase Center and spent the afternoon preaching and witnessing to huge masses, where literally hundreds of Basketball fans who were thronging to get into the arena. It turned out to be an exhilarating time proclaiming and magnifying Jesus Christ our Lord and our Savior.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The day ended with our team taking a train ride back to Daly City.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessings Stirling
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Feb. 16- Chase Center
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What an experience being on the streets of San Francisco at this year’s NBA All Star Game. The privilege of Proclaiming and Magnifying Jesus Christ as Lord and soon coming King. The opportunity of preaching and witnessing also to an Ethnic Cult - known as the Black Hebrew Israelites.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Showing and proving to them in scripture, that none of us are justified by God’s Holy Law and that we are redeemed apart from the Law through by faith in Jesus Christ. “For no one will be justified  in his sight by the works of the law,  because the knowledge of sin comes through the law. ”- Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All while this was taking place today, we as an evangelist team kept on preaching His Glorious Gospel and we were rewarded with incredible encounters and conversations with fans and passerby’s. Some even asked us to pray for them. “Everyone who hates his brother or sister  is a murderer,  and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.” - 1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬ ‭CSB‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/479189394_18486276820056962_4491723550632806635_n.jpg" length="380868" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 18 Feb 2025 16:37:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/nba-all-star-outreach-stirling-long</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/479189394_18486276820056962_4491723550632806635_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/479189394_18486276820056962_4491723550632806635_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Spreading the Faith in Malawi</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/my-post48f1735a</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going Home Africa Ministries - Malawi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going Home Africa Ministries is headed by Brother Francis Ananda Chipukunya. They are involved in evangelism through open air crusades and making use of various opportunities to include sports, festivals and other events to spread the Gospel. They are located in Liwonde, Malawi. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           According to Bro. Francis, these are potential ministries in Malawi:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "NORTHERN PART OF MALAWI 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This comprises of Mzimba, Nkhatabay, Likoma, Rumphi, Chitipa and Karonga districts, with Mzuzu in Mzimba district as an administrative Centre. Potentially Ministries are: Evangelism Trainings, Street Evangelism, campus ministry,Sports Fans Outreaches, leadership development, planting charity and mercy work. Here we need Evangelism trainers,chaplains, church planters,Street and Open Air evangelists and charity social workers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           CENTRAL PART OF MALAWI 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This comprises of Lilongwe, Mchinji,Dowa,Salima,Ntchisi,Nkhotakota,Kasungu and Dedza districts, with Lilongwe as the administrative centre as well as the capital of Malawi .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Potentially Ministries are: Evangelism Trainings, Street Evangelism, campus ministry,Sports Fans Outreaches, leadership development, planting charity and mercy work. Here we need Evangelism trainers,chaplains, church planters,Street and Open Air evangelists and charity social workers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           EASTERN PART OF MALAWI 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This comprises of Ntcheu,Mangochi,Balaka,Machinga and Zomba district with Zomba as the Executive administrative centre as well as former capital city of Malawi.THESE ARE MUSLIM DOMINATED AREAS OF MALAWI 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Potentially Ministries are: Evangelism Trainings, Street Evangelism, campus ministry, Sports Fans Outreaches, leadership development, planting charity and mercy work. Here we need Evangelism trainers, chaplains, church planters, Street and Open Air evangelists and charity social workers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SOUTHERN PART OF MALAWI 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This comprises of Chiladzulu, Blantyre, Phalombe, Mulanje, Thyolo,Neno,Mwanza, Chikwawa and Nsanje districts, with Blantyre as an administrative centre as well as commercial city of Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Potentially Ministries are: Evangelism Trainings, Street Evangelism, campus ministry,Sports Fans Outreaches, leadership development, planting charity and mercy work. Here we need Evangelism trainers,chaplains, church planters,Street and Open Air evangelists and charity social workers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           CITIES AND TOWNS IN MALAWI 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This comprises of  Blantyre,Zomba,Liwonde, Mangochi, Lilongwe, Kasungu and Mzuzu 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Potentially Ministries are: Evangelism Trainings, Street Evangelism, campus ministry,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fans Outreaches, leadership development, planting charity and mercy work. Here we need Evangelism trainers,chaplains, church planters,Street and Open Air evangelists and charity social workers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           CAMPUS MINISTRY
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1. Mzuzu University in Mzimba district 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 .Livingstonia University in Mzimba district 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3. Karonga Teachers Training College in Karonga district 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           4. Kasungu Teacher Training College in Kasungu District 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5. Mimba College of Agriculture in kasungu district 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           6.Lilongwe College of Agriculture campuses Lilongwe district 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           7 .Mzuzu Technical College in Mzimba district 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           8. African Bible College in Lilongwe district 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9.Lilongwe Teacher Training College in Lilongwe district 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10. Seventh Day University in Ntcheu district 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           11. Malawi University of Applied Sciences in Blantyre district 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           12 .Catholic university in Chiladzulu district 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           13. NKHOma CCAP university in Lilongwe 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           14 .Blantyre Synod University in Blantyre 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           16 .Malawi university of Science and Technology in Thyolo district 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           17. University of Malawi campuses in Zomba district 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           18. Blantyre Teacher Training College in Blantyre district 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           19.Nalikule College in Lilongwe district 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           20. Machinga Teacher Training College in Machinga district "
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250121-WA0003.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
             Photos of distribution of tracts and Christian literature during an outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            If you want to go on a mission to Malawi, check out
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/air" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Air SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            for details and registration or contact Bill Adams directly: bill@sfoi.org.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           To contact and support Going Home Africa Ministries:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Address: P.O.Box 280,Liwonde, Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell:+265882452580/+265980429072
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Email:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           chipukunyagham@yahoo.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250119-WA0011.jpg" length="91136" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Feb 2025 14:25:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/my-post48f1735a</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250119-WA0011.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250119-WA0011.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach Evangelist Testimonials</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-evangelist-testimonials</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Super Bowl '25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some testimonials and Facebook posts about the Super Bowl Outreach last Feb. 6-9. Praise the Lord for these hardworking fishers of men who shared the Gospel, distributed tracts and gathered in fellowship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Darrel+Testimonial.JPG" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jon+Neifert+Testimonial.JPG" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jimmy+Wilson+Testimonial.JPG" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ryan+Hartzel+testimonial.JPG" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bourbon+Street+view.jpg" length="282465" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Feb 2025 17:36:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-evangelist-testimonials</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bourbon+Street+view.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bourbon+Street+view.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach - Landon Thurman</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-landon-thurman</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Super Bowl '25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Landon Thurman recounts
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            experiences of the Super Bowl Outreach.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           02/07/25 - New Orleans, LA | Super Bowl LIX Outreach - Powerful Testimony!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This weekend, in partnership with Sports Fan Outreach International, spending Thursday through Sunday preaching in the open air and advancing the Kingdom of Christ in the streets of New Orleans. With the city packed for Super Bowl LIX, we had countless opportunities to share the Gospel in one-on-one conversations, distributed tracts, and proclaimed Christ to the masses in the open air.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thursday one of the most powerful moments we witnessed was with a man named Corey, who had been cursing us out alongside his friends as soon as we got there setting up our station in front of the Pope John Paul II Cathedral Catholic Church and even threatening harm, was actually convicted after hearing the Gospel preached by Brother Robert Reece. Moments later, Corey approached us in tears, asking for forgiveness. Seeing what appeared to be genuine repentance, we prayed for him and encouraged him to seek peace in Christ and to go back and talk with the group he was with who continued cursing us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We were surrounded by psychics and street performers. Opposition came quickly:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • A psychic, trying to drown out the preaching with her own sound amplification on full blast yelling out “Blah, Blah, Blah” over and over and lashed out with profanities and refused any conversation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Doug, a Catholic, placed his trust in his works and church traditions rather than Christ alone when we engaged him walking out of the Cathedral that allowed many to enter holding alcoholic drinks in their hands.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Brandy, a self-proclaimed minister of so called eight religions, initially cursed the Lord’s name and nearly attacked a few of us out there but was later confronted by Corey, who showed her Psalm 91:7-8. Shortly after, she returned to us in tears, seeking forgiveness for her outburst and to find peace with her Creator.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Other key conversations:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Gustavo, a Catholic painter who we shared with about trusting in the finished work of Christ and His work is sufficient to find peace with God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Kmel, a Unitarian street performer who believes water baptism is necessary for salvation and used Deuteronomy 16:11 to argue that the 1611 King James Bible is the only true translation. We had quite a long conversation with him but refused to listen to us and at the end said we have a different god and we agreed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Danny, a brother in Christ encouraged by us being out there took Gospel tracts to distribute while he was staying on Bourbon Street.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By God’s grace, 4 Bibles were distributed, and about 800 Gospel tracts went out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a vivid reminder that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and the powers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). Even in the midst of hostility, God’s Word went forth with power. And we saw first hand the fruit of Open Air Preaching. Praise the Lord for the victories won, and pray for all those who heard the Gospel today that He was cause the increase, in Jesus name.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZVFJ-NCYI8mU37VHi5biqR96LTE5vm2NRVNrCyEwEiNfPA5NSFY81YbXILi5Ub8-ti40hYfh4qT6J0aMt6rb8wHtDPYmuiNbbCTnvQ1_1R5BKPMQgAGb6y3kHXtBArPeiNc3eEmw-R2CStmc-q_MIDU5-6NgQR1rBde9GhtefUYTwUASRmuyyp6IZwbmxFIL7Mr116pT0VglVe_mIdA0yJUkmBA78W0iI6YhXtjrjPlZYGnjR27QXW5Wilw0XfHB4w&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           02/08/25 - New Orleans, LA | Super Bowl LIX Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another powerful day on the frontlines here in New Orleans with Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi. Amidst the chaos and distractions of Bourbon Street, the Word of God went forth with power, convicting hearts and stirring conversations about the truth of the Gospel. 1,300 Gospel tracts distributed and many seeds planted!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Lonni (Launie) read the signs, took several tracts for her friends, and later returned to ask for prayer and take more tracts for her family.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • A man paid a group of drummers to perform next to us in an attempt to drown out the preaching. But the Lord, who gives them energy, removed their stamina, and the preaching continued. Hostility escalated as Rob was nearly assaulted, and the same man threw a beer and another drink at us, one hitting Rob. A cop intervened, forcing him to leave, but he later returned as we were packing up. One of the drummers, despite the hatred from his team, accepted a Gospel tract before we left.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Alex, a drunkard trusting in his works, objected to street preaching, saying it wasn’t the right way. After being shown why the Bible commands us to lift up our voice like a trumpet (Isaiah 58:1), he left—only to return and take a tract.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • A man and woman thanked us for what we were doing, professing to be Christians. However, after being confronted with 1 Corinthians 6:9, revealing their evident sin of drunkenness, they rejected the message. When they saw “homosexual” on the list, the man shook his head at us and said, “That’s where you lost me,” before walking away.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Brother James, a terminally ill man, found comfort in Christ and was encouraged by the preaching asking for prayer for him to continue on with the little time he has left on this earth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Donnie, a woman standing outside Shake Shack, overheard the preaching and listened as I proclaimed how Christ died for His sheep and that His sheep hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27-28). After hearing the Gospel from some of the brothers, she was in tears. May God grant her true repentance and saving faith!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Inside Shake Shack, Joe, Shylo, and Rob sat at a table with a sign that read, “Repent and Believe the Gospel.” Two men, Josh and Brett, asked to sit with them due to the crowded space. During the small talk, Joe noticed one of them wearing a Star of David and asked about his background. The man confessed he was Jewish, leading Joe to pull out the Torah and show how the Hebrew Scriptures prophesy Jesus as the Messiah, fulfilling every requirement. By the end of the conversation, both men admitted they had learned something new, took pictures of the Gospel tract, and planned to read it later.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for God to bring the increase!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           02/09/25 - New Orleans, LA | Super Bowl LIX Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Our final day of outreach in New Orleans with
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZUCLuko5DILevqjtm58FGHz0br2TldWHMKI8o4WkZZrFuE80o3eW4UogjWF7T7Xsy8BfCNw61zhbfQABI5RL4LNwP_R3VcvVIWWR2YCHNOK9DQJ5KrnVhvv3YONRyfDsRIMRTyiDqpSySJvcqhDIhzcBvEfQojD07WO1dztmfOdKerdLsYSDZojfGxYSf8EsqimPccA4YfhyROwXI5I3o6ixfDYbFOqPqIom0YSGNKz119I5-OOfQpGkd_VspQ-tLI&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            standing for the truth of Christ in the midst of such darkness and flooded with thousands of IUIC Black Hebrew Israelites. Pray for all who heard the Gospel, took tracts, and had conversations—that the seeds planted would take root in good soil!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Encounters &amp;amp; Conversations
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Susan – Shylo spoke with a homeless woman for about 45 minutes. At first, she refused a tract, but after he asked her if she knew Christ, she opened up about her difficult life story—how she had been raped multiple times while living on the streets. Shylo asked if they could exchange beliefs, and she shared about her background in Catholicism, while he explained the Gospel of true biblical Christianity which rejects salvation by works but is entrusting themselves to Jesus Christ alone. By the end of the conversation, she took a tract. Pray for her salvation and physical protection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Sean the Baptist – Took a tract and I asked him about his faith. Though he professed to be a Baptist, he was trusting in his own self-righteousness. After walking him through the Gospel, he finally understood that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone. A look of relief came over him, and he walked away in peace, thanking me for the conversation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preaching Against the IUIC Cult
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • The streets were flooded with thousands of members from the Black Hebrew Israelite IUIC cult, scattered across New Orleans during Super Bowl Game Day with their teachings of their racial-based salvation and adherence to obeying the 613 Mosaic laws. We boldly walked right into the heart of one of their stations and preached the true biblical Gospel—that salvation is not by race, but by grace through faith in Christ. As expected, they swarmed us and surrounded our team, but we stood firm, exposing their false doctrine with Scripture. Brother Sam Bethea, known for his “Jesus Saves” sign, joined in and helped me preach the truth to them long with everyone standing by. Praise the Lord! Emanuel – A bystander who had been listening to our confrontation with the IUIC came up afterward with sincere questions. He wanted to know why they were wrong and what the truth actually was. This opened the door for Brother Rob to have a deep one-on-one conversation with him about the Gospel. Emanuel struggled with accepting the reality of sin and God’s holiness, believing that he could reconcile all people through kindness and love—essentially thinking he was more gracious than God. We walked him through why it’s crucial to understand that all are sinners (Romans 3:23) and that the only remedy is Christ alone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a true blessing—not only because of the Gospel going forth but also because of the fellowship with our brothers in Christ. We labored side by side, encouraging one another, growing together, and loving our neighbor with the hopes of snatching them from the fire of God’s just wrath against all who are found outside of Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for every person who took a tract, heard the preaching, and had conversations with us. Praise be to God and may He bring the increase! Praise the Lord!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            See more photos
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=landon.thurman.9&amp;amp;set=a.1999701697121347" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           here
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and learn more about Landon's ministry with testimonies of God:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/testimoniesofgod.org"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/testimoniesofgod.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bourbon+Street+view.jpg" length="282465" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Feb 2025 17:02:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-landon-thurman</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bourbon+Street+view.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bourbon+Street+view.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach - Joseph Toy</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-joseph-toy</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Super Bowl '25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/toyjr_josephr" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joseph Toy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            shares his experience at the SBO '25 starting with the Preach-A-Thon which started a few days before the actual outreach.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/476481057_10162584900039474_3811338602933241773_n.jpg" length="271120" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 06 Feb 2025 18:04:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-joseph-toy</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/476481057_10162584900039474_3811338602933241773_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/476481057_10162584900039474_3811338602933241773_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach - Darrel Davis</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-darrel-davis</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Super Bowl '25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/davis_darrel" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Darrel Davis
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            shares his experience at the SBO '25 starting with the Preach-A-Thon which started a few days before the actual outreach.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           February 4. Sowing Seeds at Jackson Square with Bill (1st photo), Nathaniel (2nd photo) and Christo (3rd photo)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           February 5. Day 2  at Canal Street.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Budweiser Clydesdales near Bourbon Street
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/476590759_10162587134684474_5146050787034789984_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/476481057_10162584900039474_3811338602933241773_n.jpg" length="271120" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 06 Feb 2025 17:57:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-darrel-davis</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/476481057_10162584900039474_3811338602933241773_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/476481057_10162584900039474_3811338602933241773_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Gasparilla Pirate Fest!</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/gasparilla-pirate-fest</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gasparilla Pirate Fest!  January 25....
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://gasparillapiratefest.com/pirate-fest-schedule-of-events/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Main+Pirate+Ship+-+Gasparilla+1-25-25.jpg"/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Dear Friends - the Gasparilla Pirate Fest is a one day event that, according to official estimates, attracts 300,000 souls for the day.  The official event is comprised of an all day street party, 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM, on Bayshore Blvd; a 'Pirate' invasion by ship in the Bay at 11:30 AM; and a parade on Bayshore beginning at 2:00 PM.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://gasparillapiratefest.com/pirate-fest-schedule-of-events/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://gasparillapiratefest.com/pirate-fest-schedule-of-events/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            This year
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/cabral_tom" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tom Cabral
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and I arrived by 9:00 AM and began preaching at an excellent location at the end of
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/wiiQVdGazMXmZN4k9" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Platt Bridge
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .  Praise the Lord this year we were able to stay there the entire day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            About 10:00 AM Mike Wells, a local evangelist, arrived; soon Elias with two friends from Brandon also arrived and eventually John from Sarasota.  The last evangeist was Mark who was in our area on his own distributing tracts! 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            An old friend and seasoned evangelist,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/marquardt_warrenanddarlene" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Warren Marquardt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , arrived at the other end of Bayshore about 10:00 AM.  Tom went up to join him. So the 9 of us covered both ends of Bayshore. Hallelujah!  The Lord raised up many laborers for the day!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Tom+witnessing+to+two+gentlemen+-+Gasparilla.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Tom+Cabral+at+Gasparilla+-+1-25-25.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mike+Wells+preaching+-2+Gasparilla+1-25-25.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Elias+and+Friend+at+Gasparilla+1-25.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+preaching+at+Gasparilla+1-25-25.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GI-Gasparilla+Pirate+Festival.jpg" length="100190" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 29 Jan 2025 16:11:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/gasparilla-pirate-fest</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GI-Gasparilla+Pirate+Festival.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GI-Gasparilla+Pirate+Festival.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Spreading the Faith in Malawi</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/spreading-the-faith-in-malawi</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Going Home Africa Ministries - Malawi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250119-WA0012.jpg"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Photos featuring the local ministry as organized by Going Home Africa Ministries headed by Brother Francis Ananda Chipukunya. They are involved in evangelism through open air crusades and making use of various opportunities to include sports, festivals and other events to spread the Gospel. They are located in Liwonde, Malawi. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The photo above shows local school children with Christian literature.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250117-WA0020.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           A
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           ccording to Brother Francis, their ministry programs are:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 .Literature Evangelism 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2. Pastoring pastors 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3. Voice of the voiceless 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           4. Sports Fans outreaches 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5. Trucking Industry Ministries 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250121-WA0003.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Currently, they are open to missionaries and are looking for street evangelists, open air preachers, pastors and leaders teachers, church planters, campus evangelists, mercy and compassion evangelists and trucking industry evangelists.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250121-WA0002.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Photos of distribution of tracts and Christian literature during ministry and outreaches.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Francis Ananda Chipukunya  is the main contact person for Going Home Africa Ministries.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           To contact and support Going Home Africa Ministries:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Address: P.O.Box 280,Liwonde, Malawi 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell:+265882452580/+265980429072
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Email:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           chipukunyagham@yahoo.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250119-WA0011.jpg" length="91136" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Jan 2025 18:27:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/spreading-the-faith-in-malawi</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250119-WA0011.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20250119-WA0011.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>College Football Championship 25 - Darrel Davis</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/college-football-championship-25-darrel-davis</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           College Football Championship Outreach '25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/vvdff.JPG" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/sfdff.JPG" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/wffdgfg.JPG" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/fdsfdf.JPG" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/dfdfgffsd.JPG" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Click
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://mailchi.mp/af0ffa880041/it-was-brrrr-degrees-outside?e=fe5b973708" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           HERE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            to see the full report on your browser.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/20250118_104412.jpg" length="498164" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Jan 2025 14:49:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/college-football-championship-25-darrel-davis</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/20250118_104412.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/20250118_104412.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>College Football Championship 25 - Stirling Long</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/college-football-championship-25-stirling-long</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           College Football Championship Outreach '25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/20250119_112621-a7944fcb.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/long_stirling" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            shares some photos and thoughts about the CFC Outreach 2025. The Outreach was held in Atlanta, GA where the Championship game alone had more than 75,000 attendees. Tracts were distributed and the Name of our Lord proclaimed at the ministry locations.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jan 18th: "With SFOI dedicated Evangelists at the start of this year’s College Football Championships. Despite the inclement weather we pressed on preaching in the Open the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Then  he said to them, “Go into all the world   and preach the gospel to all creation.  ” - Mark‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ ‭CSB‬‬"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jan 19th: "I must say it was challenging day preaching the Gospel at today the second day of the College Football Championships downtown Atlanta. The temperatures kept plummeting until at late afternoon with the wind chill factor the local temperature was 6 degrees Fahrenheit. These men portrayed the conviction of their belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and endured the freezing cold conditions."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jan 20th: "When Open Air Preaching - people often ask in the Church, what results do you get and who listens to you. Our standard reply is that our response is 100%. Let me qualify that; we preach the gospel that puts the hearers and listeners under His word. They either have to accept the word or reject the word. Here tonight whilst preaching at the College Football Championships, an attorney named Dave from Arizona, came up to Alex and I to tell Alex and me he had listened to us both preach and he agreed with everything we said. He was a Notre Dame supporter but was not Catholic."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/20250118_104412.jpg" length="498164" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jan 2025 17:29:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/college-football-championship-25-stirling-long</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/20250118_104412.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/20250118_104412.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>FCB: Updates in Spreading the Faith</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/fcb-jan2025</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open-Air Preaching in Bangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rashal Rana's Ministry Report
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dear Friends in Christ,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I am writing to share updates on our open preaching ministry. From January 3rd to January 17th, 2025, we have witnessed 19 new people accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Additionally, the Good News has reached over 2,000 people during this period.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 3, we have shared. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for those who have accepted Jesus, that they may continue to walk faithfully in His path and grow in their faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My wife, Bonna, has been actively sharing the gospel alongside me, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve together in this mission.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you for your prayers and support.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           May God bless you abundantly!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rashal Rana 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Contact Details:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phone Number: +8801712793206
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           WhatsApp &amp;amp; Signal: +8801712793206 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Facebook, Instagram &amp;amp; LinkedIn: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:rashalrana93@gmail.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           rashalrana93@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.''
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg" length="6933" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jan 2025 17:07:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/fcb-jan2025</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Campus Ministry - Joe Toy</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-ministry-joe-toy</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Campus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Joe Toy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Univ. North Carolina
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           North Carolina State Univ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Toy+-+Campus.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Toy+-+Campus+1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Campus' mission is for Christ to be preached and the Word of God to be taught in the open air at as many College and University campuses in the US as possible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you would like to preach with Joe, see the schedule below and contact him directly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Univ. North Carolina: Monday: 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           North Carolina State Univ.: Tuesday &amp;amp; Thurs: 12:30 PM - 2:45 PM
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/toyjr_josephr" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Joe Toy
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Phone:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:610-324-1671"&gt;&#xD;
      
           (610) 324-1671
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Email:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:oamphilly@aol.com"&gt;&#xD;
      
           oamphilly@aol.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as the gospel is proclaimed at NC State today as classes are beginning to end.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, April 27, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the students at UNC today on the last day of classes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Pray for the students to be open to receive the Gospel as we Proclaim Jesus at NC State this afternoon.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the gospel to the campus of UNC today. It's hard to believe that there are only two weeks left of the semester. The Lord has touched many lives this spring.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed to have two UNC students today proclaim the gospel on their campus. Both are graduating this semester and wanted one last time to Proclaim Christ on their campus.
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lots of people hearing about Jesus at NC State today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the students at NC State today. Great interaction at NC State today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, March 30, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we proclaim the gospel on the campus of UNC today. Blessed to see a lot of people out and about sharing their faith. One organization is passing out flyers about an apologetics meeting on campus tomorrow night.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of our UNC friends has decided that he needs to be more bold in his witness. He grabbed some tracts from me and proceeded to hand them out. The Lord blessed his faith and gave him a conversation with these three young men.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for those who have heard the gospel today at NC State. Pray that they would have the faith to believe In Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, March 23, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we are proclaiming Jesus at UNC today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the gospel to the students at NC State this afternoon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, March 9, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we Proclaim Jesus at UNC this afternoon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, March 2, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the good news of Jesus to the students at UNC today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the gospel to the students at NC State in the rain this afternoon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we Proclaim Jesus at NC State this afternoon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The good news of Jesus Christ goes out at UNC.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, February 9, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we are proclaiming the good news of Jesus at NC State today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, February 5, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we are out preaching the gospel and interacting with students at NC State this afternoon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we exalt Jesus Christ at UNC today. We have already been blessed with a number of great gospel conversations. The Lord is always at work
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we Proclaim Christ at the NC State campus today
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Touching lost souls on person at a time at UNC. Blessed to have Brother Thomas back with us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the gospel to the students on a cold day at NC State.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed with another good day sharing the gospel with students at NC State this afternoon. The Lord is working and a lot of the students' lives. We are meeting many young men sold out for Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed with a great Outreach at NC State today. Many great gospel conversations and a little bit of discipling new believers. May the Lord bring a Great Harvest on campus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, January 12, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Pray for us as we are at UNC exalting the Lord Jesus Christ today.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, January 07, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we are back proclaiming the gospel at UNC today. The Lord blessed us with a lot of great gospel conversations today at UNC. May much fruit be born and may the kingdom of Jesus grow.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, December 09, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as this is the last day at NC State, as the students are in finals. It has been a great semester and many lives have been touched with the gospel. PTL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, December 02, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we exalt Jesus Christ on the campus of NC State this afternoon. Today is their last day of classes this semester.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, December 01, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we Proclaim Jesus at UNC this afternoon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, November 25, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the folks at NC State this afternoon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, November 24, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we exalt Jesus Christ on the campus of UNC today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as the gospel is proclaimed at NC State this afternoon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, November 17, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the gospel to the students that UNC this afternoon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for students To respond to the gospel message today at NC State
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, November 10, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we are back, exalting Jesus Christ at UNC today. Blessed with great gospel conversations today at UNC.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for students to respond to the gospel message as we are back at UNC today. Lots of folks hearing about Jesus at UNC today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Toy+-+Campus+11-5+-+8.jpg" alt="Blessed to proclaim Christ with these brothers the last three days."/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Toy+-+Campus+11-5+-+9.jpg"/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as the gospel is proclaimed at NC State this afternoon. The Brickyard at NC State is being lit up with the gospel today. What a great Band of Brothers making Jesus known.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, November 3, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord is at work as the gospel is being shared with students at UNC
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed with many great gospel conversations today at NCS
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we're bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the students at UNC this afternoon in the drizzling rain. Blessed with some great gospel conversations
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, October 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we declare Jesus to the students at UNC this afternoon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, October 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we Proclaim Jesus at UNC this afternoon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, October 07, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as Christ is proclaimed on the campus of NC State this afternoon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, October 06, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we Proclaim Jesus at UNC this afternoon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, October 02, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Pray for us as we make Jesus known on the campus of UNC today.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The impact of a gospel sign was clearly evident today at UNC. A young man approached me and said,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           " Can I ask you about your sign? I have no assurance of my salvation at all." What a great opportunity to share the gospel with this student. Blessed with a good number of gospel conversations at UNC today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for the gospel to go forth clearly on the campus of NC State today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, September 25, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the gospel to the students at NC State this afternoon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, September 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we are back at UNC today proclaiming Jesus. A student admitted to one of our team that You're the fourth Christian that I've met since I thought about taking my life. The Lord is at work. Jesus said, " I have come so that you might have life."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the students at UNC this afternoon. Tony a UNC student sharing the gospel with a Mormon on campus. Jack is a UNC student sharing how he came to faith in Christ recently with one of our team. He came up and thanked me for being here and also thanked me for sharing the gospel with him. In his own words he said, "My life is so much better now." PTL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we share the gospel with the students at NC State this afternoon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, September 8, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we proclaim the gospel at UNC this afternoon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for students to be touched by the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we are at NC State this afternoon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we Proclaim Jesus at UNC this afternoon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we stand for life and preach Jesus at the Jones Franklin abortion Mill this morning in Raleigh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring Jesus out to the students at NC State this afternoon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord is at work drawing students to Himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: January 14, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel conversations at NC State today
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 10, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as this is our last day at NC State as the school is in finals. May the Lord bring much fruit unto salvation on this campus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 9, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the gospel to the students at UNC during finals week. This will be our last time on campus until January
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Below: A young lady stops by and says I've heard you guys preach all semester. I have some things going on in my life and no I don't have peace with God. Another person raised in the church who doesn't know Christ. She does now. PTL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/469867393_9415815465117649_5518239068752130826_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 3, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we Proclaim Jesus at NC State this afternoon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 2, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we proclaim the gospel at UNC as this is their last week of classes
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 25, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we declare Jesus to the students at UNC today
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Toy+-+Campus.jpeg" length="134357" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jan 2025 14:58:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-ministry-joe-toy</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">Campus Mission</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Toy+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Toy+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Jerardo Ibarra</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-jerardo-ibarra</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Jerardo Ibarra
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           NRG Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/ibarra_jerardo" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jerardo+Ibarra+.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Jerardo's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, December 27, 2025 - Texas Bowl 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Texas Bowl 2025 evangelism outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sportsfanoutreachinternational?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZbD28gMRf5Sw0nq2IrhvdTzSpeWt0evDksED--8I_WTaWZ-WrtYf9d6QB1xf_jV2iHH6bVFl9LS31C7R5L3dSI6e6Y3ITMowhV7IYO-4YYi4WmDkUnaCB6YXnAYHaPg5LQOPlE5DlkLD9kpMGnmqpx4maTTBfEyi-PyPivr8xnJ3WwcdVEl4NI9KDeG4-mpGLA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sportsfanoutreachinternational
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZbD28gMRf5Sw0nq2IrhvdTzSpeWt0evDksED--8I_WTaWZ-WrtYf9d6QB1xf_jV2iHH6bVFl9LS31C7R5L3dSI6e6Y3ITMowhV7IYO-4YYi4WmDkUnaCB6YXnAYHaPg5LQOPlE5DlkLD9kpMGnmqpx4maTTBfEyi-PyPivr8xnJ3WwcdVEl4NI9KDeG4-mpGLA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, December 21, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelizing at Houston Texans home game
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sportsfanoutreachinternational?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZbRyWMXULD5ooN60hhxpQ9avhHl9DnJnYQmiLFLXgMCY1A5KlJshrn9J9V7r7JH4_pL5Gtziqfnq5XW5OwoA-T6r6pqmQOxSS5znts66e_R0SsGc9jFlxwklYETI0zsm8GZMuFuh6F75me9IE4Ixfwm6f2RVi8ZbaI5T4eXlPF-FwQSFVRwsAnq2iEPrCI1Afk&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sportsfanoutreachinternational
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZbRyWMXULD5ooN60hhxpQ9avhHl9DnJnYQmiLFLXgMCY1A5KlJshrn9J9V7r7JH4_pL5Gtziqfnq5XW5OwoA-T6r6pqmQOxSS5znts66e_R0SsGc9jFlxwklYETI0zsm8GZMuFuh6F75me9IE4Ixfwm6f2RVi8ZbaI5T4eXlPF-FwQSFVRwsAnq2iEPrCI1Afk&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, November 09, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many gospel tracts of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ went out at the Texans game
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUpXpgSdJcixUlw5PvzPKuRld9QLKSHb8TejoCvu4xBrZITtrf-0v5LrcN3XGkJe0o28xcFoY1KZ1mnQGhNPRTwnXQh6gmbdgGvTjBcJstoP7LBLKcyJ2USw63JgWQE2bw-7azTC0zLcj-Myz33RyTEfIRIzbq-rApj1MVkllq-YF7zMz5fq-v9yOb9iHu_zsQ&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A lot of tracts go out at the Texans game with a Houston Texans win.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUQ-BNhuai_PXgykWHPTYvWSaAuWOOGkBg0uiyYlRCdmMNiELefb-StGE5GiWhY_Ki7PPQNYPN4lrY9tQFSZZck9R9XLAzqP32sVFSzOxEWkf_U_aQSV9jNepYm-HLV7iEuMBdwQVpVev_zWxMm17JB3-tGlkPvYZ-geC2JrEh6cJvaRzmRWBZpjIHKmoKlXlc&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many gospel tracts went out at Texans game
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Soli Deo Gloria
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__cft__[0]=AZVcOdgiYZJZ0fQp4L84XS4KhvBcQCcVGDAVh0_xZll6xYbHEk7Msyl7ymOWVhCBsotntUH5ud2xThK9ZeCZVQufXxnqgvnTaxmzrUaEJacFCXNa1c4I4jiHj-pIFwTxIp8oAkbFwvvZeBf_KFNktkgHwUyHunZdhErRF4hUY5BWggJCHbWVpmGxwslJu0eloMI&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, September 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SPORTS FAN OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           TEXANS GAMES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZW0q9E-7Pb3ly1CYXQ3nlqpOkuRhlyeoWInX_jKKFldoKJbNWg544Vv3MdWokbnuEHElYV0Cjzv3pZHJe24Zcj3fUTgXA6YQ1KqhG2N-fiOUgjY1HYudQQZPF44CwOmHNTAWR9C4zlepE_P0OYTqCmwkvc9OnjjVrhUdVINfN8C3J379WlA24RJIZzvTz7xwXA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: January 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reliant Stadium with Gabriel Lively
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many gospel tracts going out at Houston Texans game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SoliDeoGloria
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #NoKingButChrist
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 24, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Houston Texans Evangelism Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZV-s-J2zRdKYRVikDh7h7uzsPcd_f44zfVyS8ljSzfdX-mCd37ynwEITvj20m8MWx4GQedVbXwIvWQS6k_MkurN2nnCdSzmJjsWWqcFQdxoikB5vqWPr_3QefjmlX3Dx6T0_5VCu_qtHk7TCr2hpA-xwKBkZ4pBzy6qoHeVmATYwj2wgBowoMKknnZPanKai6M&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/nokingbutchrist?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZV-s-J2zRdKYRVikDh7h7uzsPcd_f44zfVyS8ljSzfdX-mCd37ynwEITvj20m8MWx4GQedVbXwIvWQS6k_MkurN2nnCdSzmJjsWWqcFQdxoikB5vqWPr_3QefjmlX3Dx6T0_5VCu_qtHk7TCr2hpA-xwKBkZ4pBzy6qoHeVmATYwj2wgBowoMKknnZPanKai6M&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #NoKingButChrist
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 6, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Taking the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to Houston Texans game at NRG STADIUM
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVjTO_uluEKLpKsnPWiRS1O0tgcDwbynStfgg9RXKLoH7tyt_13usHE6wbQsY4HSL7rAsOiwm59A9g_LeGVeJdXv1KRDVHXRImxpNAH9gQYp_YIxsJrNqHEgtoJg1v230InAw0XvzwIyrkzaeYvagxnWQBsVEuzU5qq37i4NuarxD1gLX6Tw71Sfn7yxGrVc4s&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVjTO_uluEKLpKsnPWiRS1O0tgcDwbynStfgg9RXKLoH7tyt_13usHE6wbQsY4HSL7rAsOiwm59A9g_LeGVeJdXv1KRDVHXRImxpNAH9gQYp_YIxsJrNqHEgtoJg1v230InAw0XvzwIyrkzaeYvagxnWQBsVEuzU5qq37i4NuarxD1gLX6Tw71Sfn7yxGrVc4s&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 29, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Taking the gospel to Houston Texans game at NRG STADIUM
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXHQP9mnepJD23B1oechxpTuN51CFP1Stp7YYk4AuIzSfaV5940kIkWEDwn-AYRMfNHvFclAEBiqas_dKKkJnQYACZy0fA3WabIBFnxyD4njQCYe22IVHZewNeDTb5rXnhD6DD7EcrlQg0cQhVxjWmEGgy76XVVPEz1IzjShgpPF8rmJi31LyMdqNjgqUdUo1U&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXHQP9mnepJD23B1oechxpTuN51CFP1Stp7YYk4AuIzSfaV5940kIkWEDwn-AYRMfNHvFclAEBiqas_dKKkJnQYACZy0fA3WabIBFnxyD4njQCYe22IVHZewNeDTb5rXnhD6DD7EcrlQg0cQhVxjWmEGgy76XVVPEz1IzjShgpPF8rmJi31LyMdqNjgqUdUo1U&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, Dec 27, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:16‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVrRKSvqWtlrt7br0wbDXj2uin7lLIKrL1xWX7s-ICcxu0rwB76Q90bypaGjwzuRmJ_L1AkAsh39XAYqFieJOx84xPh8dxb9dmZOrIOBKQGlLCrwstCsIQLnNvqzpHj1WR2VQ7am4P6i_XFR1nHibUqT75qFdX0L5pEpzTuEEtMNZHOjUDmxnYww3W3SkexCL0&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVrRKSvqWtlrt7br0wbDXj2uin7lLIKrL1xWX7s-ICcxu0rwB76Q90bypaGjwzuRmJ_L1AkAsh39XAYqFieJOx84xPh8dxb9dmZOrIOBKQGlLCrwstCsIQLnNvqzpHj1WR2VQ7am4P6i_XFR1nHibUqT75qFdX0L5pEpzTuEEtMNZHOjUDmxnYww3W3SkexCL0&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/nokingbutchrist?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVrRKSvqWtlrt7br0wbDXj2uin7lLIKrL1xWX7s-ICcxu0rwB76Q90bypaGjwzuRmJ_L1AkAsh39XAYqFieJOx84xPh8dxb9dmZOrIOBKQGlLCrwstCsIQLnNvqzpHj1WR2VQ7am4P6i_XFR1nHibUqT75qFdX0L5pEpzTuEEtMNZHOjUDmxnYww3W3SkexCL0&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #NoKingButChrist
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jerardo+Ibarra+.jpeg" length="155997" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jan 2025 17:30:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-jerardo-ibarra</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jerardo+Ibarra+.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jerardo+Ibarra+.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Peach Bowl</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/peach-bowl</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fiesta Bowl 12-31-24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/burt_alex" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    
          preache
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           d
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          at the
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           P
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          each Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , January 1st in Atlanta Georgia with Doug Renz and Stirling Long to name a few. Tracts were distributed and the Name of our Lord proclaimed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/471968826_10230295374740963_5367124659618596638_n.jpg" length="103055" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 06 Jan 2025 18:49:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/peach-bowl</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/471968826_10230295374740963_5367124659618596638_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/471968826_10230295374740963_5367124659618596638_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Fiesta Bowl</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/fiesta-bowl</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fiesta Bowl 12-31-24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/sandoval_diego" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Diego Sandoval
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          and his team preached at the Fiesta Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            held at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. They distributed 200 gospel tracts.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/472250113_8891596864238979_1594669948778536515_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: January 4, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           -at Footprint Center
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for tonight’s evangelism in Downtown Phoenix.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://elcorderoesdigno.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3fGhfksHg5bGjIclqvg966gFc2oDkAftVatf9TBz9bYxQecrKb1dc6_xE_aem_FkfvgdvF0BXOB6QMzt8I-g" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           elcorderoesdigno.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2mFYL_hLakw9Y6BvgQIthY_k3-VvpBWBf0tTD8zr1lAggsu70XZARX80c_aem__G4Bip0j0Nrmu50bquBtSQ" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           sfoi.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/472254726_8891595570905775_6623686205166355444_n.jpg" length="397118" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:30:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/fiesta-bowl</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/472254726_8891595570905775_6623686205166355444_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/472254726_8891595570905775_6623686205166355444_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>FCB: Updates in Spreading the Faith</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/my-postf020e9b6</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open-Air Preaching in Bangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christmas Celebration Program Report 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Venue: Bogura, Sadar, Bogura
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
            Date &amp;amp; Time: December 25, 2024 | 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Participants: 400 (including children)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Theme: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:14)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Summary of Achievements
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1. Unity in Christ:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           o 9 Pastors Participated in various segments of the program, demonstrating unity among local churches and ministries.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           o Collaborative efforts created a powerful spiritual atmosphere, strengthening bonds within the Christian community.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2. Engaging Gospel Message:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           o Over 400 participants heard the gospel message clearly presented in both Bible teachings and testimonies.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           o The program focused on the true meaning of Christmas and Christ as God's gift to humanity (Luke 2:1-20, John 3:16).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3. Vibrant Worship &amp;amp; Fellowship:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           o Morning Worship brought participants together in heartfelt songs and prayers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           o Family Games like sack races, tug-of-war, and Bible trivia fostered joy and fellowship among all age groups.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           4. Impact on Children:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           o A dedicated Children’s Program engaged over 100 children with storytelling, carol singing, and crafts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           o Each child created their own Christmas Star, learning about the significance of Jesus’ birth in a fun and memorable
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           way.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5. Testimonies of Transformation:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           o The testimony segment featured life-changing stories, inspiring hope and faith in the audience.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           o Many participants expressed their desire to deepen their relationship with Christ after hearing these messages.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           6. Gospel Invitation and Prayer Ministry:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           o The prayer ministry led to 25 new commitments to Christ, with many others receiving encouragement and hope.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Key Highlights
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Inclusive Participation: People from diverse backgrounds, including non-believers, attended and celebrated.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Evangelistic Success: The gospel was shared boldly, impacting lives and strengthening faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Community Building: Families bonded over games and meals, creating lasting connections.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Children’s Joy: Children expressed joy through their crafts and carol singing, taking home biblical truths.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Closing Note
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This program was a remarkable opportunity to glorify God, share His peace and goodwill, and bring joy to the hearts of many during this blessed season. We are deeply grateful for your prayers and financial support, which made this celebration possible. Your
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           generosity enabled us to touch lives, plant seeds of faith, and bring glory to God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Together, we celebrated Christ’s birth, the greatest gift of all. Thank you for partnering with us in this impactful ministry.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           May God bless you abundantly!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rashal Rana 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Contact Details:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phone Number: +8801712793206
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           WhatsApp &amp;amp; Signal: +8801712793206 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Facebook, Instagram &amp;amp; LinkedIn: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:rashalrana93@gmail.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           rashalrana93@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.''
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/jgjhjh.JPG" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg" length="6933" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:51:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/my-postf020e9b6</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Bowl</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-bowl</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music City Bowl 12-30-24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Ryan Hartzel preached at the Music City Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           on December 30, 2024, at 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Stadium" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nissan Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashville,_Tennessee" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nashville, Tennessee
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Attendance is at 43,375. Lord-willing the seeds planted take root.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/471298217_2520798808114867_4388772192548124030_n.jpg" length="66124" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jan 2025 16:13:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-bowl</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/471298217_2520798808114867_4388772192548124030_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/471298217_2520798808114867_4388772192548124030_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - David Hoffman</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-david-hoffman</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: David Hoffman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Arizona Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/tubbs_joshua" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Hoffman+-+Arizona+Bowl.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Arizona Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 28, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Hoffman+-+Arizona+Bowl.jpg" length="240470" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jan 2025 16:52:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-david-hoffman</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Hoffman+-+Arizona+Bowl.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Hoffman+-+Arizona+Bowl.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - David Robert</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-david-robert</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: David Robert
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Caesars Superdome
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/robert_david" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Robert-22ee7df5.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on David's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, January 01, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To the saints,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We spent the day in New Orleans proclaiming Jesus Christ to the Ole Miss and Georgia football fans. Over 200 gospel tracts were distributed as we openly preached for 8 hours. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Besides that, we were interviewed by SFOI Live, three tourists and Newsmax. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A man dropped to his knees next to us clutching his chest. He was having a heart attack. A nurse from the crowd of people saw him and was there in about three seconds to attend to him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From our location on Bourbon Street, state police escorted Governor Jeff Landry to within 10 feet from us for photos. Utilizing a loud speaker, the Governor heard the gospel preached to him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many people thanked us for being there as well as many people telling us f... you. Those hostile to Jesus Christ are the ones we are trying to reach. Please pray for their salvation before it is too late.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Still fishing for men,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, December 21, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To the saints,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Talk about being blessed. The moment I got back into my van it started raining.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While open air preaching on being born again and adoption, a woman screamed in my ear, "Satan is god." A man yelled out, "I am Jesus Christ." Some said, "F... You." Many others, "God bless you." And one said in front of his family, "God bless you brother. I do the same thing you do." I gave him a Ten Commandment coin, and he exclaimed, "Ray Comfort."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Allstate Sugar Bowl is next on January 1st, the anniversary of the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Still fishing,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To the saints,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prior to any event I pray to be delivered from spiritual warfare. It is so easy just to stay home, especially when I go to these events alone. But, it is always in my prayers the following thought, "Is it worth it for one?" Of course the obvious answer is a resounding YES. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prior to the Saints game we were located on the divided highway on Loyola. The fans pass in front of us waiting for the traffic light to turn, having a trapped audience to preach to. 100 bibles were distributed along with a few gospel tracts. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A photographer came by asking to take pictures. Giancarlo stayed about an hour and a half filming the crowds, all the time hearing the gospel preached. He commented, "I have never heard such hatred as what was yelled at you, and it didn't seem to faze you." 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All that was being preached was the Law and Grace, repentance, faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Giancarlo didn't realize it, but this message was primarily for HIS ears. We talked prior to him leaving and he said that we gave him a lot to think about. Please pray for his salvation, as well as those who were gnashing their teeth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is it worth it for one? Absolutely. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Still fishing,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To the saints,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On Sunday, the New Orleans Saints are playing the Carolina Panthers with a 3:25 p.m. kickoff in New Orleans. For those that want to go for evangelism purposes, I will be leaving my home at 10:00 a.m. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One more Saints game in New Orleans is December 21st against the Jets. The R&amp;amp;L Carrier Bowl is December 23rd and the Allstate Sugar Bowl is January 1st.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you remember, it was New Year's Day at 3:15 a.m. on Bourbon St. that a Muslim terrorist ran down and murdered 14 people and injured 57 others. I plan on open air preaching at the former memorial site on Bourbon Street early in the morning. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Spring Semester starts in January at Nicholls (NSU) and Southeastern (SLU) for discipleship purposes. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We also plan on open air preaching to thousands of people in Houma and Lafourche Parish during 15 Mardi Gras parades, as well as a couple in New Orleans. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why do we do this?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gratitude and obedience. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray that the Holy Spirit will prepare hearts to receive the gospel, and that He will raise up laborers for the harvest field.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Still fishing for men,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, November 23, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Distributed were 100 copies of Our Daily Bread booklets and about 25 copies of the gospel tracts Ye Must Be Born Again.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Part of my sermon on being born again: "If you are not born again, you are not a child of God. If you are not a child of God, by default, you are a child of Satan. If you are a child of Satan, on the day you die and Jesus Christ sends you to hell, you will wish you had never been born in the first place."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This caused a lot of anger.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 1st person I talked with was a disturbed man sitting on a curbstone in his underwear. He cussed me out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 2nd person had a cross around his neck. He had NO idea what a Christian was.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another man shouted that there is no god.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A woman shouted, "You can go to hell, preaching on the street corner."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Several people said, "God bless you."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Man shouted: "You're wrong."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Me: "No I'm not."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Woman to man: "Shut up and listen to him."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A man took a selfie with me. He said, "Thank you and God bless you brother."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Still fishing for men,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Robert
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a day. Over 110 Bibles were distributed, as well as some gospel tracts. Quite a few people said "God bless you", and some said "Yay!!! Homosexuality." 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A few others were scoffing and some were laughing. One woman said, "You know, I'm going to kill you." She then extended her middle finger to me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I would say that it is a good thing that the police are nearby, but then again, two boys younger than 12 years old were each toting a case of beer down the street. The police saw them and did nothing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until next time, still fishing for men,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, October 12, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Nick Davaine
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nick received some blessings by being asked to pray for some homeless people while distributing bibles on a street corner. He gave away about 45 bibles as well as some gospel tracts. This was Nick's first time.
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, October 5, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jimmy Leblanc, Nick Davaine, Jamael
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           &amp;#55357;&amp;#56397; to "Jimmy, Nick, Jameal and David departed Lafourche Parish enroute to New Orleans to proclaim Jesus Christ to the Saints fans. We traveled there in the rain. It was raining hard when we arrived. We checked the weather radar and it was showing more lines of storms coming our way from the low that was in the Gulf of America. So, we cut our losses and went home. ARGH!!! I checked the weather radar when I got home to discover that the center of the low moved and New Orleans was clear. However, the trip was filled with discussions about Jesus Christ. I hope that He was glorified. Still fishing &amp;#55356;&amp;#57251; for men, David "
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Just finished off at NSU, asking the subjective question of who is the most hated person in the world. My answer is Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No other name, besides God, is used as a cuss word. Jesus Christ gives restrictions and requirements which the world will not adhere to. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nine students heard the gospel and one student, Jamal, leaped over the benches when he saw us here at NSU.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Both Jamal and Delano are unashamed Christians who draw crowds of students. Both are going to New Orleans with us Sunday to open air preach prior to the Saints game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Lewis Johns
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In New Orleans yesterday, one brother stopped me again to say, "Thank you very much for what you guys are doing." While preaching about Jesus Christ, many people were seen nodding their heads in affirmation. Many others jeered. Several others doubled back to receive the materials we were distributing. Several people approached Lewis to ask for prayer. One man gave me a big hug. Half a case of Bibles and half a case of "13 reasons why you should not commit suicide, and 13 reasons why you should live" were given out. We're still fishing for men, David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: David Robert, Jimmy Leblanc
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In New Orleans today, approximately 110 Bibles, 40 gospel booklets, and about 200 gospel tracts were given out to the sports fans. At our location, we have many thousands of people pass our way. We preached the same message about a dozen times, which was that God is a God of love, but also that the fear of the Lord being the beginning of wisdom, and that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. We fear all kinds of things, but not God. We also preached on the dangers of willful falling away, known as apostasy. Jimmy prayed with a homeless man, shared the gospel with a "good" man, had a uniformed man offer him some marijuana, and had to deal with people selling alcohol and disgusting T-shirts. We received many "God bless you" greetings, as well as off-color remarks. A fisher of men, until the nets are full, David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           All State Sugar Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Jan 1, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At 3:15 in the morning on New Year's Day on Bourbon Street in New Orleans was a terrorist attack. A 42 year old American drove a truck through the crowd and killed 15 people, injured 30, and he shot two police officers. Three other suspects were viewed planting bombs on the street. An ISIS flag was found in the driver's truck. It was a somber area on the corner of Canal and Bourbon Streets with lots of police and news crews. The gospel of Jesus Christ was preached and taught. A question for the Roman Catholic fans from Notre Dame and the Protestant fans from Georgia were asked, "From a biblical worldview, are people basically good or bad?" EVERYONE said basically good. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Law and Grace was preached, emphasizing that we are all destined to die and then judgment. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Allstate Sugar Bowl was postponed until Thursday. Many gospel tracts were distributed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A fisher of men, until the nets are full, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 29, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday in New Orleans was the game between the New Orleans Saints and the Las Vegas Raiders. At the intersection of Garod and Loyola Streets, one hundred Our Daily Bread devotionals were distributed to the sports fans. The topic IS JESUS ENOUGH was preached in the open air. If you lost everything, would Jesus be enough? Many fans commented, "That's a good question. I don't know."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A North Korean woman escaped to South Korea via China. She was asked if she needed anything and how can she prayed for. Her reply was, "You have material wealth, money and power. We have nothing. You pray for us? We pray for you. We have Jesus, and He is sufficient."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While preaching, Mark came over with some biblical questions. He's heard me preach many times. We talked for about an hour. Please pray for him. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A fisher of men, until the nets are full, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 15, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined:
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jimmy Leblanc, Harvey Allen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On Sunday, December 15, 2024, Jimmy, Harvey, and David were in New Orleans for evangelism purposes. For three hours prior to the Saints/Commanders game, we open-air preached, distributed about 300 gospel tracts, and 130 Ten Commandment doubloons.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was Harvey's second time. He said to Jimmy and David, "I was conflicted if I should go to church today or come to New Orleans. I could go to church or be the church."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All three men had gospel centered conversations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One man asked David if he was a preacher and then said that he had been to Israel three times. He said that Jesus and His apostles were to only preach to the Jews.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He then yelled at David and said, "And you're not Jewish." He then walked away.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Members in the crowd had quizzical looks on their faces. David responded, "He's right. I'm a Gentile."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The sermon was about God's attributes compared to Santa Claus. Many people commented with "God bless you for what you are doing."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Still fishing for men,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 1, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not able to attend due to an injury.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 17, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a great day. John from Cleveland came over to talk with me about Jesus. He thought that his good deeds would outweigh the bad that he had done. We talked about an hour. We went through the law and many Scriptures. We spent considerable time on the forgiveness of sins by Jesus Christ and the freedom from guilt.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John asked me to explain that again. During the course of our conversation, his eyes welled up with tears. I had some napkins in my pocket, and I gave him one. He said that this meeting was a divine appointment from God and that this was not by chance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We got our picture taken together, and then I prayed for him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another man stopped me from preaching to tell me what was going on in Israel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A woman looked at my banner and said I was an anti-christ if I voted for Trump just because I was preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The banner asked,"Can you be good without God?"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           She proclaimed her goodness. I told her, "If you are so good, explain this," as I flipped to a banner with an aborted baby.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           She went nuts, cussing me out and calling me an anti-christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many other people said, "God bless you for what you are doing." One man even gave a financial offering for our ministry.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           About 130 10 Commandment coins were distributed to the fans.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A fisher of men, until the nets are full,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 13, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Lewis Johns
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We distributed about 100 Gideon New Testament Bibles and about 50 Ten Commandment coins. Lewis had the opportunity to pray for several people on the street corner. Lewis also had his second opportunity to open air preach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was preaching on the new law in Louisiana regarding the Ten Commandments being put in schools. I was pointing out the different versions of Bibles, the difference between the Catholic and Protestant Bibles, and the Lord's Supper.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 8, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            On Sunday in New Orleans, Harvey, Lewis, Jimmy and David were ambassadors for our Lord Jesus Christ. Over 100 Gideon bibles were given out, along with tracts from Living Waters and Chapel Library.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            This was Lewis' first time open air preaching, and the first time for Harvey. What struck them both was the disdain for Jesus Christ. However, gospel tracts and bibles went out.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is it worth it for one? Absolutely, because at one time we were all enemies of God but someone had the guts to share the gospel with us. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lewis said that he wants to go again. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined:
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jimmy Leblanc, Harvey Allen, Lewis Johns
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Robert-22ee7df5.png" length="1071544" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jan 2025 16:28:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-david-robert</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Robert-22ee7df5.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Robert-22ee7df5.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Heath Pucel &amp; Dan Davis</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-heath-pucel-dan-davis</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists: Heath Pucel &amp;amp; Dan Davis
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lambeau Field
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/pucel_heath" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Heath+Pucel.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Heath's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/davis_dan" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Dan+Davis.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Dan's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, December 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jonathan, Mike and Dan Davis
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a Saturday night game, the crowd was flat for a night game, tracking wasn't great, we got a lot of encouragement from believers in the crowd
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, November 23, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Greg Fischer, Mike Johnson, Gary Noskowiak, Dan Davis, Mike Henke, Jonathan Brendemuehl, Doug Schoenwalder
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were able to cover three of areas for fans. One fan came to share a testimony of being saved back in the 80's and provided encouragement to keep up the good work. A couple of fans continue to mention that we are there at every game.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, November 10, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Heath, Jonathan, and Me
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preached Mark 2, Zachariah 3, Roman's 1-5
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Heath, Jonathan, Mike, me, Greg, and 3 others
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are now setup in 3 spots. We started about 9:30 and went a little past noon. Calm crowd. God needs to intervene in our lives or we will never change and be saved
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Doug Schoenwalder, Dan Davis, Dan Walcheck, Greg Fischer, Mike Johnson, Dave Urmanski, Gary Noskowiak, John Noskowiak, Jonathan Brendenmuehl, Mike Henke
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Being September 11th, as well as all that had happened in the week, gave us the perfect opportunity to provide Biblical answers to the crowds. Many were providing encouragement and saying, "Thank you for being out here." I was able to reconnect with the ticket scalpers, regular musician and transportation driver, Scott, and minister to them after the game started. More tracts were handed out than in previous games. Mike Henke has been a tract machine for the games.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Dan Davis, Dan Walchek, Mike Henke, Greg Fischer, Mike Johnson, Dave Urmanski, and Gary Noskowiak
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first 2 a pack of lions at Lambeau Field. Brothers and Sisters from Detroit". These evangelists were from Detroit. They were at the game too. First time evangelists from another city were at a Packers game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was the home opener, and a lot of excitement for the upcoming season. There was a lot of encouragement, fist bumps, and expressed thank you for being out at the game. One family from Detroit stopped with their daughter, whose Birthday present was to go to the game; they wanted to pray while we were ministering. It was a great testimony to the area around us. Chris, a fan bus driver, came to provide encouragement and share a testimony of him witnessing to people while at the game and also befriending a tailgate band member. He recalled he was able to share the gospel with him while learning he has cancer and since that time, the band member seems to be showing some fruit. Praise God!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 23, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dan Davis
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dan Walchek
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Greg Fischer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gary Noskowiak
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Keep doing what you are doing!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was a statement from one of the fans about the preaching pregame. Another fan came up and shared He loved what we were doing and to keep it up.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We did have the Salvation Army come out near us to play Christmas carols. As the preaching continued, they moved further down and continued playing and collecting donations. This was found to be ironic given the circumstance of the occasion of the game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 28, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dan Davis
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Greg Fischer
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dan Walchek
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gary Noskowiak
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After all the turkey settled, what better way to celebrate football than a Thanksgiving night game perfect for football. Cold, windy and flurries but that did not stop Packer fans.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           While Dan was preaching there was a lady who stopped to ask questions. She was a little disturbed by the preaching which prompted a conversation about her witnessing efforts. She stated she didn't think this was the way to reach out to people and was accusing Dan of not being a believer.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Additionally we had someone who cam up dressed like Fred Flinstone and offered encouragement about the preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 24, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dan Davis
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mike Henke
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave Bender
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tia
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Denise
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Greg Fischer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gary Noskowiak
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great outreach with alot of laborers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bay City Baptist Church joined us with one of their pastor's, Dave Bender and two from their church. What a of zeal in their passing out tracts as this was their first time at a packer outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath, while preaching, talked with one man who came up asking about the gospel and professing Christ. The conversation shifted into an abortion and foster care discussion which ultimately ended with the gospel as the answer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 3, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelists who joined:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mike Henke
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dan Davis
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Like the postal service, neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, not hail; will stop the packer fans or the gospel going forth. We had some mocking but also some great encouragement from those stopping by to share their thanks.
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 20, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined:
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Doug Schoenwalder
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Dan Davis
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Greg Fischer
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Greg Nowaczyk
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Gary Noskowiak
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             ﻿
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Mike Henke
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dan, Greg, Doug preached for about 2.5 hours. Some short conversations were had and roughly about 200 tracts distributed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 13, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelist who joined:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Dan Davis
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             ﻿
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Heath Pucel
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Mike Henke
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a rainy pregame as we preached mostly in the rain, but it didn't stop the fans from tailgating or hearing the gospel preached.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           We continue to receive encouragement from many fans this year, thanking us for being out there preaching. One man facetiously commented while Dan was preaching "There he is, my favorite preacher!" We have also received from season ticket holders in our ministry area commenting,"They are always here."
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grateful to have Mike Henke with us as he passes out a lot of tracts and is regularly faithful traveling from Madison to join us.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           We have also been blessed to have Highland Crest Baptist Church's youth group passing out about tracts before game time regularly this season.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 29, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelists who joined:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Dan Davis
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Dan Walchek
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Greg Fischer
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             ﻿
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Gary Noskowiak
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had several people encourage us while preaching. One man cam up to Dan and shared he had been reading the Gospels and Acts and it aided in his spiritual growth.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           A couple of comments from fans attesting to our consistency "They are always here." Even a Minnesota Vikings fan commenting that preachers are here like in Minneapolis. A Vikings fan came to give me with a huge hug and encouragement for being out there during game day.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Highland Crest Baptist Church's Sunday School groups were also involved in passing out about 2000 tracts before game time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: August 24, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Heath Pucel
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Dan Davis
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Greg Fischer
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Doug Schoenwalder
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Dan Walchek
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Levi
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Gary Noskowiak
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath's Testimonial: I am at every game and you guys are always here!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is the comment of a fan which shares the impact of consistency of ministering at every home Packer game. We had alot of encouragement as we preached on the true "Love," of Christ and the necessity of him entering intot he world.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had two teams at different locations of the stadium to capture the most fans coming into the stadium.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Heath+Pucel.png" length="1090147" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jan 2025 15:28:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-heath-pucel-dan-davis</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Heath+Pucel.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Heath+Pucel.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 NHL</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/my-post8c6723ce</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI 1000 NHL
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Do you live near an NHL Team?  If so can you join the movement for every NHL fan to hear the Gospel be preaching at the home games of the Team near you?  To find out where the Team are located, the particulars about preaching with the SFOI 1000 NHL program and to register to participate visit this page:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/SFOI-1000-NHL" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/SFOI-1000-NHL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Below are three videos showing ministry locations and info at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In 2023-2024 season there were 22 million NHL fans.  These games present an amazing opportunity to reach lots of fans and minister to them by our consistency at the games.  NHL fans are distinct from other sports. Take advantage of this divine opportunity.  Hope to hear from you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+NHL.jpg" length="214884" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jan 2025 15:10:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/my-post8c6723ce</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+NHL.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+NHL.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>ReliaQuest Bowl</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/reliaquest-bowl</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ReliaQuest Bowl 12-31-24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/yoho_mark" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark Yoho
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/adams_bill" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            preached at the
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.reliaquestbowl.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reliaquest Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            held at
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://raymondjamesstadium.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Raymond James Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            in Tampa, FL December 31, 2024. The University of Michigan played the University of Alabama which means the crowd size was anticipated to be relatively large. Game day attendance was 51,439 with Stadium Capacity at 69,218.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/54239981545_773bfb6fc8_c.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bill above preaching from the corner of W. Tampa Bay and Dale Mabry Blvd as the crowds walked towards the stadium. This is the location on Google maps.  Mark and Bill stood in front of the red arrow:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/ECpCVMmqaMoKLnSB6" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ministry Location
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/54238593819_feaa39e82a_c.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark began the day preaching and he went four times and Bill four.  You can hear Mark's sermons below.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark and Bill were at the corner from 8:00 AM - Noon.  Lots of enouraging comments from the fans and some remarks but overall a fruitful four hours of sowing and watering the Word and bringing the words of Life to the fans and local citizens.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill-Adams---Gospel-Invasion.jpeg" length="241774" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jan 2025 14:51:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/reliaquest-bowl</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill-Adams---Gospel-Invasion.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill-Adams---Gospel-Invasion.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Michael Coughlin</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-michael-coughlin</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Michael Coughlin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ohio State University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/coughlin_michael" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Michael+Coughlin.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Michael's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Matthew Smith, Caroline Smith, Jeremy Bowman, Mike Stockwell, Robert Gray, Brian
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We preached for 2 and a half hours and covered both sides of Lane Avenue with tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Matthew Smith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Passed out a few hundred tracts and was able to encourage a Christian brother who is out of close fellowship with Jesus, but sincere about wanting to get back where he should be with Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Michael Robert Coughlin, Matthew Smith, David Havarty, Jamie Terry, James Dahl, Evan Goubeaux, Jay Harrod, Logan Ramsey, Mac Hancock, Forest Welch, Jeremy Bowman, Austin Larger
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had several men preach (3) for almost 3 hours. We handed out hundreds of tracts and had men with signs confronting our culture about abortion.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Matthew Smith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Giving out tracts at the OSU football game - God is good. Heard a number of Charlie Kirk comments - people are thinking.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Matthew Smith, Samuel Smith, and Michael Robert Coughlin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We preached and handed out tracts about two hours before the Buckeyes' 70-0 thrashing of their opponent. Then I took my son to see the game. Fun day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Matthew Smith, Caroline Smith, Andrew Tunney, Michael Robert Coughlin, Jeremy Bowman, Fred Triplett, Joe Divelbiss, Kyle Velpert, Jeff Lybarger, Mike Stockwell
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great day. Had two preachers going for over an hour. Covered a busy corner.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 21, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Joe Conkle, Rusty Beals, James Dahl, Jamie Terry
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great night preaching and tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 11, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Ryan Pasma, Wesley &amp;amp;Michael Coughlin, Matt Smith, Jeremy Bowman, and me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I preached for 2.5 hours. The rest handed out tracts and held signs. Thousands heard and saw us. The Lord Jesus was glorified.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 26, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Team: Jeremy Bowman,Ryan Pasma,Matthew Smith, Daniel Podnar, Elijah Thompson, Michael Robert Coughlin, Wesley Coughlin, Michael Coughlin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tracts distributed, signs displayed and preaching nearly 2 hours. God was glorified.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 5, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Team: Matthew Smith, Armani, Jeremy Bowman, Mike Stockwell, Andrew Tunney, Michael Robert Coughlin, Ryan Pasma and myself Michael Coughlin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great day. Lots of preaching. Pray for a young man named Ryan who was very interested to follow Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 21, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Team: Michael Coughlin, Matthew Smith, Michael Robert Coughlin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great day preaching and tracts. Witnessed to Sylvia. Pray for her salvation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 7, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Team: Michael Coughlin, Matthew Smith, Wesley Coughlin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preached for a couple of hours and handed out tracts. Typical response, lots of encouragement and a few haters.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Video
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dxs6yk2i2jdaj8hopywz4/2024-09-10-14.00.45.mp4?rlkey=rqp2ysnvjoksnt0wzoz7wx4h8&amp;amp;dl=0" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           here
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Oct 7, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Michael+Coughlin.png" length="1610964" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 30 Dec 2024 23:20:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-michael-coughlin</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Michael+Coughlin.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Michael+Coughlin.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Bill Adams &amp; Mark Yoho</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-bill-adams-mark-yoho</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists: Bill Adams &amp;amp; Mark Yoho
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Neyland Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/adams_bill" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill+Adams-2b6c7285.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/yoho_mark" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mark+Yoho-8d7ac7b5.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            @kjones4jesus and @reese.jones268_ are two soldiers for Christ! Always a joy and encouragement going to the frontlines with these soldiers!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Acts 20:24
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/greatcommission?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZX3PTjsW4rxb-LY69ZXvuXNU7X-CZJ2X_3qt-XErxWGXrGzjOwJwziFGWlSkkX08kn-yECU3RMWCg9WKa9sfbilkAke0xudWvE8nWKOUZcT9Vj4MtKlp_A0whJnZXKK2GSPHN5Td8rK1kD7W5_XqlQjGg3STHRmRQkeCZ8AAzsyug&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #GreatCommission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/preachchrist?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZX3PTjsW4rxb-LY69ZXvuXNU7X-CZJ2X_3qt-XErxWGXrGzjOwJwziFGWlSkkX08kn-yECU3RMWCg9WKa9sfbilkAke0xudWvE8nWKOUZcT9Vj4MtKlp_A0whJnZXKK2GSPHN5Td8rK1kD7W5_XqlQjGg3STHRmRQkeCZ8AAzsyug&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #PreachChrist
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/solideogloria?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZX3PTjsW4rxb-LY69ZXvuXNU7X-CZJ2X_3qt-XErxWGXrGzjOwJwziFGWlSkkX08kn-yECU3RMWCg9WKa9sfbilkAke0xudWvE8nWKOUZcT9Vj4MtKlp_A0whJnZXKK2GSPHN5Td8rK1kD7W5_XqlQjGg3STHRmRQkeCZ8AAzsyug&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SoliDeoGloria
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/winsoulsforchrist?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZX3PTjsW4rxb-LY69ZXvuXNU7X-CZJ2X_3qt-XErxWGXrGzjOwJwziFGWlSkkX08kn-yECU3RMWCg9WKa9sfbilkAke0xudWvE8nWKOUZcT9Vj4MtKlp_A0whJnZXKK2GSPHN5Td8rK1kD7W5_XqlQjGg3STHRmRQkeCZ8AAzsyug&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #WinSoulsForChrist
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/lordstampeternityonmyeyelids?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZX3PTjsW4rxb-LY69ZXvuXNU7X-CZJ2X_3qt-XErxWGXrGzjOwJwziFGWlSkkX08kn-yECU3RMWCg9WKa9sfbilkAke0xudWvE8nWKOUZcT9Vj4MtKlp_A0whJnZXKK2GSPHN5Td8rK1kD7W5_XqlQjGg3STHRmRQkeCZ8AAzsyug&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #LordStampEternityOnMyEyelids
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/presson?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZX3PTjsW4rxb-LY69ZXvuXNU7X-CZJ2X_3qt-XErxWGXrGzjOwJwziFGWlSkkX08kn-yECU3RMWCg9WKa9sfbilkAke0xudWvE8nWKOUZcT9Vj4MtKlp_A0whJnZXKK2GSPHN5Td8rK1kD7W5_XqlQjGg3STHRmRQkeCZ8AAzsyug&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #PressOn
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill+Adams+-+SFOI1000+-+1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Tim Ferguson and Steve Godwin.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 20, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 23, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ryan Hartzel and 8 others proclaimed the Gospel at the University of Tennessee football game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCvDwncAmAe/?img_index=1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            ryan.hartzel
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What a day of evangelism with some dear brothers and sisters in Christ at the University of Tennessee football game! I'm so grateful to God for the zeal for taking the Gospel to the lost in 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/gracecommunitykingston/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           @gracecommunitykingston
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ! It brings so much joy to my heart! Thank you to everyone who prayed! Now we pray for God to bring the increase.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           - John 4:35
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           "You have one business on earth – to save souls."
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           - John Wesley
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/makejesusunavoidable/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           #MakeJesusUnavoidable
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/howwilltheyhearwithoutapreacher/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #HowWil
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/howwilltheyhearwithoutapreacher/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           l
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/howwilltheyhearwithoutapreacher/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           TheyHearWithoutAPreacher
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/jesussaidtogosowego/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #JesusSaidToGoSoWeGo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/greatcommission/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #GreatCommission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/fca/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #FCA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 12, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Tennessee
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Davey Matchett, Jackson Burchette, Travis Roberts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Good outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: August 31, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Tennessee
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More than 20 people reached out to football fans and students at the UT home game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20240905-WA0000.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Nov 18, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Great day for some open air preaching here at UT at Neyland Stadium . Pray for us and pray that every track and The Word of God be received. Love you ALL. This the our Team today
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/mark.yoho2?__cft__[0]=AZU-cwTgGa5K4NCZYLRu5RS5uCpA4YSEhw1DXzBxq7dnG5MMMeczuw3Eu9CtplDy0gfxcguReDrfX9onmcs5PMpZDP0XYSUfOgYZ0jcBe6LXgDZTkIgLam9PhJ2FH6K4SAhQdY9n67ppaOEO7mLSOkAZ3bAgc2hJu-pQlFnbQnJHzQ&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark Yoho
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Thousands of Bible Tracts handed out today . Some great interaction with believers and non believers.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As it was getting close to packing up we were met with a group of folks carrying BIG BANNERS that were for Jesus but against the church, we did nothing to provoke but they approached us and were told we are the problem (we are not tolerant and that we are the Pharisees and vipers).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Have a great night and be in the House of God tomorrow, ready to hear from God.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Love yall
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill+Adams-2b6c7285.png" length="1271427" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 30 Dec 2024 18:45:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-bill-adams-mark-yoho</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill+Adams-2b6c7285.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill+Adams-2b6c7285.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Kevin Tallaksen</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-kevin-tallaksen</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Kevin Tallaksen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nittany Lions Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/tallaksen_kevin" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kevin+Tallaksen-2bd10d37.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Kevin's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Derek Gelnette, John Angeleri
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had 3 total evangelists and we did evangelism for about 5 hours straight. We spent 3 hours in the tailgate areas having conversations and 2 hours preaching at the gates. We had many amazing conversations and God convicted many of sin and some were seeking repentance and asking incredible questions. God blessed the time! We made a summary video on YouTube, links below.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZW0KcQB_aG9h09Kt9eHXUnKpUdTO6iJQsKhBnK4sprlD3VTqg1TDAkgalk8HXUmzIR2HmCbbxtGq6PWyR7YilZwEKVqNjV0cVcToDKMmTJfT5kun93fhI-3HuwEEbR7ZEpmepFCPufhxvfMdAR4Sce8OGzsANi17RezLmtx3q-6UZeX4cMu-ucgJHA0T00Mq1SEEWGZdXapD4Jha6WMKlqM&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/evangelism?__cft__[0]=AZW0KcQB_aG9h09Kt9eHXUnKpUdTO6iJQsKhBnK4sprlD3VTqg1TDAkgalk8HXUmzIR2HmCbbxtGq6PWyR7YilZwEKVqNjV0cVcToDKMmTJfT5kun93fhI-3HuwEEbR7ZEpmepFCPufhxvfMdAR4Sce8OGzsANi17RezLmtx3q-6UZeX4cMu-ucgJHA0T00Mq1SEEWGZdXapD4Jha6WMKlqM&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #evangelism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/gospel?__cft__[0]=AZW0KcQB_aG9h09Kt9eHXUnKpUdTO6iJQsKhBnK4sprlD3VTqg1TDAkgalk8HXUmzIR2HmCbbxtGq6PWyR7YilZwEKVqNjV0cVcToDKMmTJfT5kun93fhI-3HuwEEbR7ZEpmepFCPufhxvfMdAR4Sce8OGzsANi17RezLmtx3q-6UZeX4cMu-ucgJHA0T00Mq1SEEWGZdXapD4Jha6WMKlqM&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/psu?__cft__[0]=AZW0KcQB_aG9h09Kt9eHXUnKpUdTO6iJQsKhBnK4sprlD3VTqg1TDAkgalk8HXUmzIR2HmCbbxtGq6PWyR7YilZwEKVqNjV0cVcToDKMmTJfT5kun93fhI-3HuwEEbR7ZEpmepFCPufhxvfMdAR4Sce8OGzsANi17RezLmtx3q-6UZeX4cMu-ucgJHA0T00Mq1SEEWGZdXapD4Jha6WMKlqM&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #PSU
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/collegegameday?__cft__[0]=AZW0KcQB_aG9h09Kt9eHXUnKpUdTO6iJQsKhBnK4sprlD3VTqg1TDAkgalk8HXUmzIR2HmCbbxtGq6PWyR7YilZwEKVqNjV0cVcToDKMmTJfT5kun93fhI-3HuwEEbR7ZEpmepFCPufhxvfMdAR4Sce8OGzsANi17RezLmtx3q-6UZeX4cMu-ucgJHA0T00Mq1SEEWGZdXapD4Jha6WMKlqM&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #collegegameday
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/beaverstadium?__cft__[0]=AZW0KcQB_aG9h09Kt9eHXUnKpUdTO6iJQsKhBnK4sprlD3VTqg1TDAkgalk8HXUmzIR2HmCbbxtGq6PWyR7YilZwEKVqNjV0cVcToDKMmTJfT5kun93fhI-3HuwEEbR7ZEpmepFCPufhxvfMdAR4Sce8OGzsANi17RezLmtx3q-6UZeX4cMu-ucgJHA0T00Mq1SEEWGZdXapD4Jha6WMKlqM&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #beaverstadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/pennstatefootball?__cft__[0]=AZW0KcQB_aG9h09Kt9eHXUnKpUdTO6iJQsKhBnK4sprlD3VTqg1TDAkgalk8HXUmzIR2HmCbbxtGq6PWyR7YilZwEKVqNjV0cVcToDKMmTJfT5kun93fhI-3HuwEEbR7ZEpmepFCPufhxvfMdAR4Sce8OGzsANi17RezLmtx3q-6UZeX4cMu-ucgJHA0T00Mq1SEEWGZdXapD4Jha6WMKlqM&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #pennstatefootball
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/pennstate?__cft__[0]=AZW0KcQB_aG9h09Kt9eHXUnKpUdTO6iJQsKhBnK4sprlD3VTqg1TDAkgalk8HXUmzIR2HmCbbxtGq6PWyR7YilZwEKVqNjV0cVcToDKMmTJfT5kun93fhI-3HuwEEbR7ZEpmepFCPufhxvfMdAR4Sce8OGzsANi17RezLmtx3q-6UZeX4cMu-ucgJHA0T00Mq1SEEWGZdXapD4Jha6WMKlqM&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #pennstate
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/oregonducks?__cft__[0]=AZW0KcQB_aG9h09Kt9eHXUnKpUdTO6iJQsKhBnK4sprlD3VTqg1TDAkgalk8HXUmzIR2HmCbbxtGq6PWyR7YilZwEKVqNjV0cVcToDKMmTJfT5kun93fhI-3HuwEEbR7ZEpmepFCPufhxvfMdAR4Sce8OGzsANi17RezLmtx3q-6UZeX4cMu-ucgJHA0T00Mq1SEEWGZdXapD4Jha6WMKlqM&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #oregonducks
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/collegefootball?__cft__[0]=AZW0KcQB_aG9h09Kt9eHXUnKpUdTO6iJQsKhBnK4sprlD3VTqg1TDAkgalk8HXUmzIR2HmCbbxtGq6PWyR7YilZwEKVqNjV0cVcToDKMmTJfT5kun93fhI-3HuwEEbR7ZEpmepFCPufhxvfMdAR4Sce8OGzsANi17RezLmtx3q-6UZeX4cMu-ucgJHA0T00Mq1SEEWGZdXapD4Jha6WMKlqM&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #collegefootball
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 21, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great time at Penn State’s college football playoff game today. A nice 25 degree (13 degree wind chill) day - a perfect one to share the Word of God!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           People are so open and needing to hear Jesus - are you sharing it with them?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here are some stories - great conversations and even opportunities for future partnership.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jim and friend- believed in relative morality and truth so we talked through the reality of absolute truth and went through the gospel of Jesus. There was a hesitancy to believe due to perceived lack of evidence and just not seeing the importance of it (distractions). I was able to share about repentance and belief and the eternal ramifications. They also took a tract and said they had a lot to think about.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tanner - thought 75% of people were good but when defining it according to God’s definition of good, he also thought we were created good. We went through the law, Jesus and repentance/belief. He claimed to believe in Jesus but said he gets distracted in life. I was able to challenge him about whether he KNOWS Jesus. There seemed to be a gap there and admits that he really doesn’t read the Bible so he committed to start doing that and it seemed like a very fruitful conversation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Chase- Christian student who seemed to truly understand the gospel and actually leads a Christian group on campus. We are hoping to join/partner with them in the future!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jewish student- stopped by the preaching and was asking what he could do since he didn’t believe in Jesus. He stopped and we talked for a few so he heard the gospel!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John - stopped by the preaching and said that he would go to heaven because he was good enough. I was able to share the gospel and life through repentance and belief, not works. He seemed to be more understanding at the end, pray for his salvation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Multiple other conversations and stories during preaching- I was able to stand on a rock in the middle of thousands walking by (see first two pictures). I was able to preach through 2 Peter 3, Luke 15, John 3, Ephesians 2 and 1 Corinthians 1. I preached for over 45 minutes straight. Sometimes street preaching may not be the most effective but people were very intent and even responding with questions and comments actively.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/pennstate?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUtdgG8nUwt_6zXFy-7gbkLshMdvpd5jf3JQzM4QdG9gOAG7DJw1qRLZUX-iPL5Mj_Q2AoszlPvKMCoirGY7nEpYaCM9W4rSRDsEBa8x4--obyM5MtHv5xI9AY0Wsnafx5urARny2CfBwPJu1gYdNFbXTBVmLQc8n-D01erna1Ek1MRUpKjxsuIARepdWq2tTw1UVe-iMCMHeir9ZVcUx9C&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-y-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #pennstate
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/pennstatefootball?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUtdgG8nUwt_6zXFy-7gbkLshMdvpd5jf3JQzM4QdG9gOAG7DJw1qRLZUX-iPL5Mj_Q2AoszlPvKMCoirGY7nEpYaCM9W4rSRDsEBa8x4--obyM5MtHv5xI9AY0Wsnafx5urARny2CfBwPJu1gYdNFbXTBVmLQc8n-D01erna1Ek1MRUpKjxsuIARepdWq2tTw1UVe-iMCMHeir9ZVcUx9C&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-y-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #pennstatefootball
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/cfbplayoff?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUtdgG8nUwt_6zXFy-7gbkLshMdvpd5jf3JQzM4QdG9gOAG7DJw1qRLZUX-iPL5Mj_Q2AoszlPvKMCoirGY7nEpYaCM9W4rSRDsEBa8x4--obyM5MtHv5xI9AY0Wsnafx5urARny2CfBwPJu1gYdNFbXTBVmLQc8n-D01erna1Ek1MRUpKjxsuIARepdWq2tTw1UVe-iMCMHeir9ZVcUx9C&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-y-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #CFBPlayoff
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/gospel?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUtdgG8nUwt_6zXFy-7gbkLshMdvpd5jf3JQzM4QdG9gOAG7DJw1qRLZUX-iPL5Mj_Q2AoszlPvKMCoirGY7nEpYaCM9W4rSRDsEBa8x4--obyM5MtHv5xI9AY0Wsnafx5urARny2CfBwPJu1gYdNFbXTBVmLQc8n-D01erna1Ek1MRUpKjxsuIARepdWq2tTw1UVe-iMCMHeir9ZVcUx9C&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-y-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/evangelism?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUtdgG8nUwt_6zXFy-7gbkLshMdvpd5jf3JQzM4QdG9gOAG7DJw1qRLZUX-iPL5Mj_Q2AoszlPvKMCoirGY7nEpYaCM9W4rSRDsEBa8x4--obyM5MtHv5xI9AY0Wsnafx5urARny2CfBwPJu1gYdNFbXTBVmLQc8n-D01erna1Ek1MRUpKjxsuIARepdWq2tTw1UVe-iMCMHeir9ZVcUx9C&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-y-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #evangelism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 5, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists: Kevin and Joe
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a smaller team today due to other events / commitments in the area, but the preaching brought multiple people over for conversation and during the game, we had incredible times to talk to multiple people for 30+ minutes about the gospel. Here are a couple conversations:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Max - hardcore Catholic who did not think that anyone could properly believe Jesus outside the Catholic Church (a bit ironic) and threw out the tract as he walked away.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bud - came up to Kevin while preaching to encourage him but during this his granddaughter went up to Joe to talk which was short, but a good conversation as she had some doubts about God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Meredith - middle aged woman, drunk, came and did the good person quiz. She insisted it was 100% and that she was perfect. We shared the gospel and she realized most were bad but still not her. She took a gospel tract and they filmed the conversation so more will hear the gospel :)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Caleb and Tyler - incredible conversation (we will post the video of conversation), mainly Caleb impacted
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tyler - Christian guy from CRU : he thanked us for what we are doing and we got his contact information with the hope that some people from CRU could join us or help in discipleship
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Parker - 2 girls who thought the “common good” was the final judge. We reasoned with her but she was not too reasonable, she heard the gospel and took a tract though.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           William- Christian who was also very encouraging as well. We prayed over him and encouraged him as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zack - he was drunk 2 weeks ago and was trying to distract in a conversation then, but didn’t even remember it! I had a reasonable conversation this time, but he was resistant to the idea that God judges sin, but rather forgives everyone. He was not too happy but he took a tract at the end even after scoffing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jake - Christian college student who wanted prayer for resistance of temptation, does not really share the gospel with everyone so we also encouraged that.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3 guys - struggled with the idea that there is more to the gospel than just being confirmed. He heard the gospel and seemed to understand more by the end.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 28, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists: Kevin Tallaksen, Sean, Josh, Derek, Max
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We handed out ~500 tracts, did some preaching, but people kept coming up for conversations that were very fruitful! We got some conversations on video as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nor – We were walking towards the tailgate lot and she stopped us and asked if she could talk with us. She took the % of good people survey and thought 75% were good, but agreed in the end that God has to judge. We went through the law and gospel, she thought we just needed to be good enough for God to love us. I shared Eph 2:8-10, repentance, and other scripture and she said “that sounds amazing!”. I asked her what hindered her believing in God and she said it was people and institutions failing her and being hypocritical. I encouraged her that she had to separate and look at GOD to determine who God is and to read the Bible. She said she would read the gospel of John and seemed like she was impacted.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Drew – catholic background, thought he that there is something after life, but not sure. He said he only had 1 minute, but ended up staying for over 10 minutes. He thought he was going to heaven possibly, but not convinced. We went through the gospel and he took a gospel of John!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sebastian – We talked about the % of people are good and he was agnostic. He did not believe in absolute morality or truth so we talked through that. He had to go fairly quick, but he heard the gospel and he took a tract and said he would think about what we had said.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Michael - mocked the survey signs, definitely was not open to video so I thought the conversation would go quite short, but it ended up being one of the best conversations! We went through the law and he was agreeable to it and he sort of knew about Jesus, but he had no idea what repentance was or how to follow Jesus. He said he had not heard this message before and it sounded very different than his catholic upbringing. I asked him what would hold him back from following Jesus and he said that he would lose friends and family members. He seemed really genuine and impacted. He took a gospel of John and we were able to pray for him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daniel – We got this conversation on video as well. He was atheist and did think about the things of God quite a bit and had genuine questions, more than most professing atheists. We talked for quite a while and his main issues with God was 1) how could God allow suffering? And 2) he needs evidence to believe in God. We talked through a lot of issues and he heard the gospel and even took a gospel of John. He was not “convinced” but he heard a lot of truth!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Harrison – He did a video with us and he thought that the purpose of life was to be kind to others. We agreed that it was impossible to be perfect and also that God was the ultimate judge. We went through the law and he was a bit hesitant about hell but seemed to agree eventually. We went through the gospel and he listened, but he had to leave with his friends. Interestingly, he said that he needed prayer at the end for a lot of anxiety he was having so we were able to talk through that and pray with him as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Payton – I shared with him a tract and I said that it was a little something to read about God. He said he loved God so I asked “do you KNOW God?” – He said he was Presbyterian, of course. I asked him what that meant and he was not sure. We went through the law showing we don’t KNOW God since we have been separated from Him and we went briefly through the gospel. He admitted that he is not following Jesus so I warned him that we all need to repent &amp;amp; believe in Jesus. I knew it would be brief since he had to get in the game, but he heard the gospel and he took a gospel of John.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daniel – he came up and said he used to do what we did before, but now he is agnostic. I asked him how he came to that conclusion and to share his story so he went on explaining a ton of things that happened, mostly related to specific people, institutions or beliefs. I then asked him… “did God ever fail you” He answered no and didn’t have an answer from that. I shared that if God never failed him, why turn your back on God? It got him thinking and he did bring up some things he didn’t agree about Scripture being inerrant but could not give any specific examples. The conversation really got him thinking and we were able to pray and share contact information with him as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David – catholic guy in his 50’s – he actually knew the gospel as we went through it for 10 minutes. We asked if the Bible and an institution contradicted, which would be true? He said that it would be the Bible and he commented how he does not like the current pope. We shared how the core doctrines of the catholic church and even many protestant churches now conflict with the Bible – we need to not sacrifice truth. He seemed like he was thinking and impacted and it ended really well with him taking a gospel of John and thanking us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 21, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Penn State Football Game
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            *We had 6 evangelists (2 youth primarily handing out tracts) before the game and some stayed for the majority of the game. The game was a blowout so there was a steady flow of people leaving during the game.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We first started by the tailgate area handing out tracts and doing video interviews. We then went to the gate to do preaching and tracts along with some conversations. We then were on the campus itself doing conversations and tracts as students left the stadium.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dalton &amp;amp; brother – 2 brothers, Irish catholic, a little tipsy and believed that they were saved through good works. We went through the law and gospel and they seemed to track well but were hung up on does sin actually cause judgment. It ended after a few minutes but they took gospels of John and thanked us for talking to them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John- practicing catholic, knew a decent amount of scripture, etc. He was adamant it was through good works that we are saved. I went through the law and gospel and he seemed to agree, but he said that you also have to keep being good. We went through Eph 2:8-10 and I also said, “wouldn’t it be prideful to go to God on judgment day and say I deserve to be here because of what I did? Then why did Jesus have to die?” – he seemed to be impacted at some level. He also thought the institution should be trusted over the Bible and I brought up recent heretical pope quotes and he did not really have an answer. He took a gospel of John and said he would read it, so we will see what God does!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Albert – Came to talk as a result of preaching, he came in joking a bit but was respectful. He thought he had to be good enough to go to heaven and he “wasn’t there yet” – we shared the gospel, he probably was a bit tipsy, and he took a gospel of John which he put in his pocket.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jared – Came as a result of the preaching - very slightly tipsy but very coherent and a decently long conversation. He came over saying “what you are saying is true” – he believed it but then he said that he is not living it. His parents seem like solid, biblical Christians but he has strayed in college. I asked him WHY he is living a life of partying and his only explanation was his friends – he didn’t even enjoy it that much. I challenged him really it comes down to what is worth more? His friends or Jesus? I showed him through Scripture that he can’t serve both. I shared my testimony how I followed Jesus and ended up “losing” most of my friends. I challenged him to not wait, he needs to draw a line in the sand and decide who he would serve – talk openly with his friends how he wants to follow Jesus now. Pray for him! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Marc &amp;amp; Andrew – Came up saying they “love Jesus” but as we went through scriptures for a couple minutes, they admitted that they were not following Jesus. They thought they just need to be good enough for God and they said the “only” things they were doing is having sex with their girlfriends and drinking. They did not think it was that bad but after sharing some scripture, they realized that it WAS sin. They then asked “what do we do then?” – we went through the gospel and the COST of following Jesus but also the WORTH of following Jesus. They took gospels of John, I challenged them to be the LEADER of the relationship and talk to their girlfriends that they want to follow Jesus and do it the right way. I was able to pray over them and they thanked us greatly, pray that they take action on their new convictions.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tamara – Came up for the % of good people sign – she seemed to mostly understand / believe the law &amp;amp; gospel but she flinched at the idea of hell. I asked her if she got involved in any church or fellowship here on campus since she is from Virginia. She said she has not and does not really plan to. She said nothing could take her faith in Jesus away and reads the Bible herself. She said she does not have any Christian friends but that is okay. I challenged her that the Bible itself does talk about the importance / need of fellowshipping with other believers and the dangers of trying to do it herself. She listened respectfully but it did not seem like it hit home. Unfortunately, I have seen this many times and it does not end well, often times believing that ALL faiths lead to God due to their relationships with their unsaved friends.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           James – Christian on campus, already plugged in to a church. He seemed really solid and I was able to pray for him and encouraged him to be on mission on campus while he is here. Good connection and I invited him to join us some time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jace – Student claimed that he was a former Christian in the process of converting to Islam, he was holding a Koran. He could not stay too long but he said that he was converting due to the complexity of the trinity and he liked Islam’s view better. I reasoned with him in Scripture about the deity of Jesus, the trinity, etc. Some of the things I said he responded with “I had never thought about that before”. I also talked about the complete difference between Christianity &amp;amp; Islam and how it is a totally different God that they are trying to portray. I offered to meet with him again and gave him my contact info. He thanked me for the conversation before he had to go since his friend kept calling him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David – did a recorded interview with us, he is from Bensalem, PA visiting for the weekend. He ended up staying to talk for about an hour despite all of his friends leaving. He had ancestors in the Masons and right now he said he believed God exists but not sure who He is. David had done psychedelics and had some clear symptoms of demonization (voices, dreams, experiences, etc) that he admitted to. He kept getting hung up on the fact that Jesus was the exclusive Way, that Jesus was God and that the Bible is true. We reasoned back and forth for an hour and at the end, he realized that God IS pursuing him, he just needs to open the door. He needs to pray to Jesus to be saved from all of the mental things he is facing from the spiritual darkness. I got his phone number and we plan to meet again on October 5. Pray for him, God is working!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 7, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Penn State Football Evangelism Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           7 evangelists (4 pictured) and 4 of them were first time evangelists from our local church. We believe that street / campus evangelism is a great training ground for people to not only share the gospel there, but to learn how to relationally share the gospel in every day life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Hundreds of tracts went out, preaching as thousands walked by, and had many divine appointment conversations that we saw God move in people’s hearts right before us.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grateful for all those praying for us and the support from Sports Fan Outreach International.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kevin+Tallaksen-2bd10d37.png" length="1984014" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 30 Dec 2024 17:11:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-kevin-tallaksen</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kevin+Tallaksen-2bd10d37.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kevin+Tallaksen-2bd10d37.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Matt DeJesus</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-matt-dejesus</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Matt Dejesus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           State Farm Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/dejesus_matt" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Matt+Dejesus+sfoi+evangelist+team+leader.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Matt's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, October 5, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: Briana De Jesus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My wife, Briana, and our 3 ½ year old son, Gabriel, joined me as I preached and they handed out tracts. The overall feedback from the crowd was very positive. I received so many high-fives, fist bumps, and people thanking me that we were there, it was almost overwhelming. The day was blessed with the Gospel being preached!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 28, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preaching at the Arizona Bowl in Tucson, AZ for 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6%2F&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVxYZ0eX4E1M2uunbkuN_3FBqcUd4CP-xb973nrPG0N8vZR8AD7LbgV3NDxP81zpikZ5Bt5QThnEszePhEGGWwH5MaZ76g-frmhDwiHAPaUXYvCBWrYsz9acN-7xhIMPtarJSUaDKhwdidh85AGJIi3JJMtwmRT6yh7rASikOx4x2DvS37-2nL-TLyQqfz6dHweXsI1ymp0KkrAe5VAUw-b&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and Kingdom Enterprises. SDG
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 15, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/diego.sandoval.9421?__cft__[0]=AZWIeg_pycnhtQ62DbrUSKwa42ZW7BLn_dDkRg_ibW73iMopr0ZY4D1vy9iLzeAgyo4ZtGupsD-zs9J5ex8osSgw76DT3SruHDvO0la1TB_UBfN-0JZsMSa7W0v6JhRfjlqGixDkYeVOmrOLjmDfGUupM0V0Cymhg076_IDryKGg-Ko7hAgkLEwb-8zZe7IvGTf_QZczGFNVKqeNZz9zanjK&amp;amp;__tn__=-]C%2CP-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Diego José Sandoval
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is with 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/matt.dejesus?__cft__[0]=AZWIeg_pycnhtQ62DbrUSKwa42ZW7BLn_dDkRg_ibW73iMopr0ZY4D1vy9iLzeAgyo4ZtGupsD-zs9J5ex8osSgw76DT3SruHDvO0la1TB_UBfN-0JZsMSa7W0v6JhRfjlqGixDkYeVOmrOLjmDfGUupM0V0Cymhg076_IDryKGg-Ko7hAgkLEwb-8zZe7IvGTf_QZczGFNVKqeNZz9zanjK&amp;amp;__tn__=-]C%2CP-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt De Jesus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sportsfanoutreach?__cft__[0]=AZWIeg_pycnhtQ62DbrUSKwa42ZW7BLn_dDkRg_ibW73iMopr0ZY4D1vy9iLzeAgyo4ZtGupsD-zs9J5ex8osSgw76DT3SruHDvO0la1TB_UBfN-0JZsMSa7W0v6JhRfjlqGixDkYeVOmrOLjmDfGUupM0V0Cymhg076_IDryKGg-Ko7hAgkLEwb-8zZe7IvGTf_QZczGFNVKqeNZz9zanjK&amp;amp;__tn__=-]C%2CP-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            at 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/statefarmstadium?__cft__[0]=AZWIeg_pycnhtQ62DbrUSKwa42ZW7BLn_dDkRg_ibW73iMopr0ZY4D1vy9iLzeAgyo4ZtGupsD-zs9J5ex8osSgw76DT3SruHDvO0la1TB_UBfN-0JZsMSa7W0v6JhRfjlqGixDkYeVOmrOLjmDfGUupM0V0Cymhg076_IDryKGg-Ko7hAgkLEwb-8zZe7IvGTf_QZczGFNVKqeNZz9zanjK&amp;amp;__tn__=-]C%2CP-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           State Farm Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Glendale-Arizona/104002769637127?__cft__[0]=AZWIeg_pycnhtQ62DbrUSKwa42ZW7BLn_dDkRg_ibW73iMopr0ZY4D1vy9iLzeAgyo4ZtGupsD-zs9J5ex8osSgw76DT3SruHDvO0la1TB_UBfN-0JZsMSa7W0v6JhRfjlqGixDkYeVOmrOLjmDfGUupM0V0Cymhg076_IDryKGg-Ko7hAgkLEwb-8zZe7IvGTf_QZczGFNVKqeNZz9zanjK&amp;amp;__tn__=%2CP-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Glendale, AZ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel preaching at State Farm Stadium.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWIeg_pycnhtQ62DbrUSKwa42ZW7BLn_dDkRg_ibW73iMopr0ZY4D1vy9iLzeAgyo4ZtGupsD-zs9J5ex8osSgw76DT3SruHDvO0la1TB_UBfN-0JZsMSa7W0v6JhRfjlqGixDkYeVOmrOLjmDfGUupM0V0Cymhg076_IDryKGg-Ko7hAgkLEwb-8zZe7IvGTf_QZczGFNVKqeNZz9zanjK&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://elcorderoesdigno.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2ICmOeB53tqTcmyv9k_EWgROQ6y8BJmTG0dYLbTiWXvv2XZiuf3eUw3ek_aem_1GrXCNbeY6xDeeM2pESM9w" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           elcorderoesdigno.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 8, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUGJUlyLJyYAtwKbZtDaJGYTe3jlz58TZ5chmIAxCb_QcgYfaMUNX6CYALi1aH2JT8kfDqc51jqCckgkB-Z7pyXNoG4bc4jTXFqItV67uhYTh9unjOe9TXLrMAai58Dxm0iMddxRAogpIx2jOD0laKaRSw5hujIv3e0Qv5OZVPsAByVdHxqzEsAS_akRZu1rRAsT2UOFXq3ZqWkSNAi4fgM&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Out at the Arizona Cardinals stadium peaching the Gospel. SDG
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/dgddfdf.JPG" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Matt+Dejesus+sfoi+evangelist+team+leader.png" length="1468613" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 30 Dec 2024 15:32:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-matt-dejesus</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Matt+Dejesus+sfoi+evangelist+team+leader.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Matt+Dejesus+sfoi+evangelist+team+leader.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Diego Sandoval</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-diego-sandoval</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Diego Sandoval
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Arizona Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Diego+Sandoval.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 26, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray as we begin to evangelise at rate bowl at Chase Field.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3dA0aFEX6rsh89VtnF9-9KwL7nP0dKeqmDnVdU9EvHD1e4g1A4dAC1Pcs_aem_PZBpqjcRr05zJoE86RvWiw" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           sfoi.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://elcorderoesdigno.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3dA0aFEX6rsh89VtnF9-9KwL7nP0dKeqmDnVdU9EvHD1e4g1A4dAC1Pcs_aem_PZBpqjcRr05zJoE86RvWiw" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           elcorderoesdigno.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          with Matthew Redondo at Chase Field.
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Dec 30, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray as we prepare to proclaim the gospel at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Diego+Sandoval.png" length="2001673" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 27 Dec 2024 17:30:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-diego-sandoval</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Diego+Sandoval.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Diego+Sandoval.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>FCB: Updates in Spreading the Faith</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/rashal-rana-fcb</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open-Air Preaching in Bangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Rashal Rana's Ministry Report:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dear Friends in Christ,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I am writing to share an update about our open preaching ministry. We have been sharing the Gospel message in Bogura Town four days a week. During these sessions, we have focused on passages such as John 3 and Psalm 150. Many people have shown great interest in learning more about God’s Word and have asked numerous questions, which we are helping them to understand.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           About 60% of the people we engage with are very interested and open to hearing the message, while 40% express opposition and raise complaints. Despite this, we rejoice in God’s work among us! As of December 23, 2024, 29 people have accepted Jesus Christ, and 21 of them are now attending our church, where we are teaching them from the Bible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise Points:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ol&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Many hearts are turning to Jesus Christ and receiving salvation.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Nine leaders from our team have started participating in open Gospel preaching.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ol&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer Requests:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ol&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            On December 25, we will be hosting a Christmas Celebration with 400 participants. Please pray for the event’s success and for God’s blessings on all attendees.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Pray for God’s protection over our team and ministry during this season.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ol&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you for your continued prayers and support. May God bless you abundantly!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           --
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many Blessings! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rashal Rana 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Contact Details:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phone Number: +8801712793206
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           WhatsApp &amp;amp; Signal: +8801712793206 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Facebook, Instagram &amp;amp; LinkedIn: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:rashalrana93@gmail.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           rashalrana93@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.''
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            To know more, please visit their page at:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/FreedomChurchBangladesh" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/FreedomChurchBangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg" length="6933" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Dec 2024 14:51:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/rashal-rana-fcb</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Opportunities to Partner with SFOI</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/opportunities-to-partner-with-sfoi</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Support us in Proclaiming Christ to Fans!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Will you join our mission in upholding the Great Commission and sharing the Gospel to the masses?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are so many ways you can support us!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             1.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/donations" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Donate
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            to the events, SFOI programs or Legal Defense Fund
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             2.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/Donate-Sponsor-an-Evangelist" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sponsor
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            evangelists
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             3.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/Donate-Tax-Deductible-Gifts" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Give
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            a tax-deductible gift
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Check out SFOI Overseer, Bill Adam's videos to learn more.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. Adams explains the origin, purpose, and benefits to the SFOI Legal Defense Fund.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVp4aEpuR2NpVWRRdFdmXzZzaWU3c1VNY3Q4d3xBQ3Jtc0tuZ21tamUwSzdpQjNVcEtneTB4Z3kyYVZsQ2kzQlRZenVkWWc3akotWWFzSm9JaTQwWDBBckJtcGk1T1p5ZVpLVENtYmQ1a1Iwa3l5cVFWWmxaa21ZZGsxaUJhYUZ2UGVwTEJ3T0tZQ1liQkx1dDZ4Zw&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fdonorbox.org%2Ffreespeech&amp;amp;v=FJ-hLmG9OkY" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            https://donorbox.org/freespeech
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Rev. Adams explains the origin and goal of working to move David Day to London to work with SFOI.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Details:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbHpoT2dGbExwUElsWVJSN09XNjJKSjBVVUNHUXxBQ3Jtc0tsbjhwWmtEUHFKWGJIX0FJMXZ2MWo0N0xxVVY4WExkN0hpTThUWm95ZnR3ZFI5VXA1bnpzR2RaYWtWdFdldFVMckZmRERzNlVqX1gxZ2tTYUhvdUlyNDlvekFHTDFDdHplajhsZW5Vbk5SUU9acWtrVQ&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2Fsfoi-to-the-uk&amp;amp;v=pQNy1bkGdU8" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-to-the-uk
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Donate:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjZreEFTU3JTTVlCcXk3SjZ3Tm56WVowRG5NUXxBQ3Jtc0tuQ0xEX2FMTVVWOHJ4c1BUam5vSWVNNmZjMG0wd1otZUE2a3FycTJ1aWMyaGNOaWNYamJFOVZLSlBNX2dqMGt6OWFiMVNGVlA5MUxMYnlTU3dvdUFrZ2xyd24tYlhKT1JrQ2tpSV9WTEZUMUlJWGd1SQ&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fdonorbox.org%2Fsfoi-to-the-uk&amp;amp;v=pQNy1bkGdU8" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            https://donorbox.org/sfoi-to-the-uk
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SBO+25+Picture+B.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Would you partner with SFOI to proclaim the Gospel to the fans &amp;amp; local citizens in New Orleans Feb 6-9?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If yes would you donate to the purchase of 100,000 Gospel tracts?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
             Click the link below to see the tract titles. Then click the title and the tract will download for you to read.  $3,000 is the total cost of 100,000 tracts. You can donate on the link.  Donate what you can.  The timeline to complete funding is December 31. Thank you!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://t.co/LQ020gTAnj" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://donorbox.org/sbo-tracts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Would you consider making a tax-deductible gift to SFOI.org?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Your gift pays for all aspects of mobilizing evangelists: travel expenses, advertising, Gospel materials, personnel, etc.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The total budget for 2024 is $500,000. This amount funds SFOI's operations in the US, Canada and the UK.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Click on the link to know more:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/Donate-Tax-Deductible-Gifts" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/Donate-Tax-Deductible-Gifts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/463019685_10169417818085204_7114122417103289022_n-5178f5da.jpg" length="268345" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Dec 2024 18:38:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/opportunities-to-partner-with-sfoi</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/463019685_10169417818085204_7114122417103289022_n-5178f5da.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/463019685_10169417818085204_7114122417103289022_n-5178f5da.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>2024 Packer Game Outreach</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/2024-packer-game-outreach</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           2024 Packer Game Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Good morning brothers and sisters.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The NFC North seems to be where all the action is. Potential teams with home field advantage throughout the playoffs, and the division still within a grasp; many fans look to place their trust in the Packers to give them a gleam of hope. This year, exciting things are happening as we have had other churches partnering to join us in the labors; wanting to bring to the fans the true, unfailing, steadfast, immovable, hope, and love demonstrated in and through Jesus Christ alone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are partnering again with the SFOI 1,000, committing to preach at every home Packer game. This is 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           a tremendous ministry opportunity proclaiming, and sharing the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world so those who might hear will believe in His name and be saved. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wondering what it is like to minister at a Packer home game, why not partner with us to help? Whether it is engaging in passing out gospel tracts, 1-1 conversations, praying, or coming out to observe; we would love to have you join us. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The next home game is
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday, December 23rd, vs. the New Orleans Saints, with kickoff at 7:15 pm.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I  will be leading the outreach and will be on Armed Forces Drive near the Don Hutson Center  around 4:45 pm. For parking, we are able to use the Highland Crest Baptist Church lot.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This season, we have had some great conversations, and encouragement this season. Additionally, fans are noticing the consistency of us preaching and ministering at the games. This is evident through statements made about our teams being at every single game or they are always here. What a privilege to share the Lord Jesus Christ with those who tailgate, and attend the game. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you can make it, it is imperative to let myself or Dan know!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
            L
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           et's lift up the saving message of Jesus Christ. If you are unable to make it, please be in prayer for us as well as the many fans who hear the name of Christ proclaimed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            If you have any questions, please let me know;
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           I can be reached at 920-322-5089 or Dan at 920-809-0754
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           --
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Heath J. Pucel
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fishermen's Call
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1691 Blackjack Way
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Green Bay, WI 54313-9260
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADI4YzI1YjU3LTAyNmUtNGUzMi1hMzlhLTVlZmE5MDM4ZGJmYgAQAPpjV8chc%2FFBuoZCj0T439s%3D#" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           920.322.5089
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            or
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://outlook.office.com/mail/inbox/id/AAQkADI4YzI1YjU3LTAyNmUtNGUzMi1hMzlhLTVlZmE5MDM4ZGJmYgAQAPpjV8chc%2FFBuoZCj0T439s%3D#" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           920.434.4889
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:heath@fishermenscall.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           heath@fishermenscall.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Check out our ministry at:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://fishermenscall.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           http://fishermenscall.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are you a Good person? Find out here: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.livingwaters.com/good/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           http://www.livingwaters.com/good/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Packer-ministry-spot-with-fans.jpg" length="560501" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:07:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/2024-packer-game-outreach</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Packer-ministry-spot-with-fans.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Packer-ministry-spot-with-fans.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - John Coble</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-john-coble</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: John Coble
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nissan Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/coble_john" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Coble.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on John's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 15, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bengals Game — at 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/John-Seigenthaler-Pedestrian-Bridge-465390960269630/?__tn__=kC*F" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for the football fans going to the game today
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/470185341_10162581076601774_2820032162425903001_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date:  December 8, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           — at 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/John-Seigenthaler-Pedestrian-Bridge-465390960269630/?__tn__=kC*F" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for the football fans going to the Titans/Jaguars game today. And also pray for me for strength and wisdom.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 17, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           -at 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/John-Seigenthaler-Pedestrian-Bridge-465390960269630/?__cft__[0]=AZWWJjPgRmuxDncDkeL4VaPpSRCuG8r4I7XrVcS9jeoWnrl38fz9kh-AGpjMMFUR2qQywwLPHC6VngFPiQ8HJRROCoAuPeCv-I4A1wRJdrl4aTz7WyiG8njutDRjj2fPqZ9XKaOz07ty-ltblXo6dutLH33MSSqJvarmeIwG87T72iajkuU1Ff6cuT8LaznvS3w&amp;amp;__tn__=kC*F" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for me and the Sunday morning "worshipers"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Coble+Nov+17.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Dec 30, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for the people hearing the gospel on their way to the Music City Bowl.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/musiccitybowl?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWWJjPgRmuxDncDkeL4VaPpSRCuG8r4I7XrVcS9jeoWnrl38fz9kh-AGpjMMFUR2qQywwLPHC6VngFPiQ8HJRROCoAuPeCv-I4A1wRJdrl4aTz7WyiG8njutDRjj2fPqZ9XKaOz07ty-ltblXo6dutLH33MSSqJvarmeIwG87T72iajkuU1Ff6cuT8LaznvS3w&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK*F" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #musiccitybowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            — with 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074017787130&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWWJjPgRmuxDncDkeL4VaPpSRCuG8r4I7XrVcS9jeoWnrl38fz9kh-AGpjMMFUR2qQywwLPHC6VngFPiQ8HJRROCoAuPeCv-I4A1wRJdrl4aTz7WyiG8njutDRjj2fPqZ9XKaOz07ty-ltblXo6dutLH33MSSqJvarmeIwG87T72iajkuU1Ff6cuT8LaznvS3w&amp;amp;__tn__=-]C*F" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Frank Rollberg
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            at 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/John-Seigenthaler-Pedestrian-Bridge-465390960269630/?__cft__[0]=AZWWJjPgRmuxDncDkeL4VaPpSRCuG8r4I7XrVcS9jeoWnrl38fz9kh-AGpjMMFUR2qQywwLPHC6VngFPiQ8HJRROCoAuPeCv-I4A1wRJdrl4aTz7WyiG8njutDRjj2fPqZ9XKaOz07ty-ltblXo6dutLH33MSSqJvarmeIwG87T72iajkuU1Ff6cuT8LaznvS3w&amp;amp;__tn__=kC*F" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We had three teams of evangelists on the pedestrian bridge for the Music City Bowl.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise God and pray that God saves many souls!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/musiccitybowl?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWtfhW6dmGUvQuTikw41aC0ybOkiUuBAKtOFebPcaEubOK1A1NqyetiddJQcK8mVxPv_EfLJMP99c5jHBUwhOy_V5eL6ZcwtxAWccgWaHx-y66A2XTaiV5CcB25ZVieYaHpwKUXKfBbf3JQ-2r2YhYlF6cmySifrZ9RxXPLYDch5Pf-Iep8QRiLvpfrdATOADA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #musiccitybowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Dec 17, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Please pray for the people who will hear the gospel on the bridge on the way to the Titans game today".
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Coble.png" length="1465202" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sun, 15 Dec 2024 16:13:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-john-coble</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Coble.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Coble.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Brian Ninde</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-brian-ninde</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Brian Ninde
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lucas Oil Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/ninde_brian" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brian+Ninde.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Brian's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, December 28, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Steven, Bill, Ocean, Lindsay
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel proclaimed, Tracts handed out, fellowship had, &amp;amp; God glorified.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, December 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Heath, Jarren, Conlan, Kevin, Rick, Lindsay, Rob, Deb, George
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fabulous night of Cornerstone Bible Church Evangelism Outreach at Lucas Oil Stadium last night. Gospel Proclaimed, Tracts handed out, fellowship had, discipleship attained, and preached the True Meaning of Christmas…Jesus Christ!!! “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” -‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, November 30, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Steven Kendall and Mary Kendall
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is nothing more important than where you will spend Eternity. The Lord God made a way for everyone to come to him for Salvation- that way is through the work of Jesus Christ on Calvary. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and you will be saved. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jane Ninde, Heath Pucel, Steve &amp;amp; Mary Kendall, Ethan Hoffman, Kevin Zetterberg, Conlan Uptor, Rob &amp;amp; Deb Curfman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed Day. Gospel Proclaimed. Preached Christ Crucified. Gospel Tracts Handed Out. Prayers &amp;amp; Conversations happened.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, October 12, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Steven, Kevin, Conlan, Bill, Ovean
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel proclaimed, Tracts handed out &amp;amp; many conversations had. Blessed day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, October 5, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Steven, Heath, Kevin, Jimmy, Conlan, Jane, &amp;amp; Lindsey
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel proclaimed, many tracts handed out, and great conversations had.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Steven, Conlan, Kevin &amp;amp; Jane
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel Proclaimed. Tracts distributed. Conversations had. Prayers administered. Blessed day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Heath, Rob, Steven, Jane, Bill, Ocean, Lindsey, Penny, Kevin, Deb
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great turnout. Gospel proclaimed. Tracts handed out. Many conversations had.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 8, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Big 10 Championship Day
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/252990484507469/user/100064784020218/?__cft__[0]=AZW22MKQS-bL9IPveGhiojHCKAS3smFUvTchOyamc071nYLLnPIwQcOVqoD2MFoiiYPb4DaGdAM4KXrgtZxDhXr8SmyAeP6IovY7FKDNnROlXiFIwRifnOeisRNKsXV3mE9n4DdxAXR9ZQkMYA4Qi0OrnXDBkK6VmUm-VQ-dra88eycKYUaNwwSUEMxk1lpQUEf9Fhl2sc1II_cLWkOBbRJT&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZW22MKQS-bL9IPveGhiojHCKAS3smFUvTchOyamc071nYLLnPIwQcOVqoD2MFoiiYPb4DaGdAM4KXrgtZxDhXr8SmyAeP6IovY7FKDNnROlXiFIwRifnOeisRNKsXV3mE9n4DdxAXR9ZQkMYA4Qi0OrnXDBkK6VmUm-VQ-dra88eycKYUaNwwSUEMxk1lpQUEf9Fhl2sc1II_cLWkOBbRJT&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/252990484507469/user/1361586281/?__cft__[0]=AZW22MKQS-bL9IPveGhiojHCKAS3smFUvTchOyamc071nYLLnPIwQcOVqoD2MFoiiYPb4DaGdAM4KXrgtZxDhXr8SmyAeP6IovY7FKDNnROlXiFIwRifnOeisRNKsXV3mE9n4DdxAXR9ZQkMYA4Qi0OrnXDBkK6VmUm-VQ-dra88eycKYUaNwwSUEMxk1lpQUEf9Fhl2sc1II_cLWkOBbRJT&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/252990484507469/user/61551555193000/?__cft__[0]=AZW22MKQS-bL9IPveGhiojHCKAS3smFUvTchOyamc071nYLLnPIwQcOVqoD2MFoiiYPb4DaGdAM4KXrgtZxDhXr8SmyAeP6IovY7FKDNnROlXiFIwRifnOeisRNKsXV3mE9n4DdxAXR9ZQkMYA4Qi0OrnXDBkK6VmUm-VQ-dra88eycKYUaNwwSUEMxk1lpQUEf9Fhl2sc1II_cLWkOBbRJT&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Steven and Mary The Kendalls
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/252990484507469/user/100003934414895/?__cft__[0]=AZW22MKQS-bL9IPveGhiojHCKAS3smFUvTchOyamc071nYLLnPIwQcOVqoD2MFoiiYPb4DaGdAM4KXrgtZxDhXr8SmyAeP6IovY7FKDNnROlXiFIwRifnOeisRNKsXV3mE9n4DdxAXR9ZQkMYA4Qi0OrnXDBkK6VmUm-VQ-dra88eycKYUaNwwSUEMxk1lpQUEf9Fhl2sc1II_cLWkOBbRJT&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Jacob
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            And he said to them,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 16:15 ESV
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 24, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cornerstone Bible Church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Open Air Evangelism event (11/24/24).
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Outside of Colts Football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. An amazingly blessed day!!!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And the master said to the servant, “Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.”  -Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭23‬ ‭ESV‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZWZdpNDBv6N3gefsExKKg4KrdPZRFkwrpK02__pbhlt-1ZTrU6qkwqES1rgTP7M5h5tHywbBTWngHaJvOmVbSSkdd12iI9nHzrv91uHJg-ZCU6l9yIeZjL3OlTXlrJvHDMbQK1yqjmOZvrqMVfAsIohcXtmoLDLW2ua_8xV6zZ41NhWU5qHR0-4XSKlCA3FRuY&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 29, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Another blessed day of
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/gospel?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVjcwlHWUUR2sqxAaw-VIh6Uwrl8hlTR17hIi59Ii59gSxDU7eWaQc-bNoS-I-xtfphi2Elj9UZCVJWzFq_U5oX65g52rkRpgN82ty6ryjXv1Z1zyXMUiAED9-jzwmLOfhRYqHq0kLQ3clNBd7WyaEARE66b4pGsxn4yF-WaPcGTz2k29xj-5JmBzxd9qWUIUpPQWqGTp_vBMt7m-8lWo0Au2gjjGcALzNpiqqIhC98Mg&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #Gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            outreach at Lucas Oil Stadium today with our
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/398794534641740/user/100064810085684/?__cft__[0]=AZVjcwlHWUUR2sqxAaw-VIh6Uwrl8hlTR17hIi59Ii59gSxDU7eWaQc-bNoS-I-xtfphi2Elj9UZCVJWzFq_U5oX65g52rkRpgN82ty6ryjXv1Z1zyXMUiAED9-jzwmLOfhRYqHq0kLQ3clNBd7WyaEARE66b4pGsxn4yF-WaPcGTz2k29xj-5JmBzxd9qWUIUpPQWqGTp_vBMt7m-8lWo0Au2gjjGcALzNpiqqIhC98Mg&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cornerstone Bible Church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelism team &amp;amp; guest Steven.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Testimonial by Steven Kendall: "I had the opportunity to join Brian Ninde and his team today. It was very encouraging to meet and hear his protégé’ Kevin, who is 15 years old! He did a great job! Thank You God for the coming generation, for hope- and a future!"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Dec 16, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Proclaiming Gospel at Lucas Oil
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            “Teddy Bear Toss” Night
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Let’s Go Fuel
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FuelTheFire?src=hashtag_click" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #FuelTheFire
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           happy 200
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/crimsonace" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           @crimsonace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Dec 3, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Blessed time evangelizing at Big10 Championship Game yesterday.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/SportsFanOutrea" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           @SportsFanOutrea
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/AnglicanEvangel" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           @AnglicanEvangel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let’s Gooooo!!!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Time to proclaim the Gospel!!!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/SportsFanOutrea" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           @SportsFanOutrea
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/AnglicanEvangel" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           @AnglicanEvangel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Nov 18, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Amazing day yesterday serving with our
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/DiscoverCBC" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           @DiscoverCBC
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Evangelism Ministry Team proclaiming the Gospel in our local community!!!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” -2Cor 5:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brian+Ninde.png" length="1599486" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 11 Dec 2024 20:22:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-brian-ninde</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brian+Ninde-8dff08da.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brian+Ninde.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI Live Interview with Dr. Adam Francisco</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-live-interview-with-dr-adam-francisco</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. Bill Adams interviews Dr. Adam Francisco - Author / Speaker / Educator / Podcaster.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Adam is Director of Academics and Scholar in Residence at 1517. He earned his DPhil from the University of Oxford in 2006 and served as Professor of History, Dean, and Assistant Provost in the Concordia University System for nearly two decades.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            He is also part of
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1517.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For more information about upcoming events, click here:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGgydFlHODJXRXp1aXNMRnc4WmxsNktJU2s0d3xBQ3Jtc0tuWDZXUG01Tld3c3dCbENIODhHejdwcnNnRTg4T21LbFU1ZElTSlBCR1NnVm9UeURySm5od3JGdHBvaU9XNGE0RWNHaDU5SVJZSlR0TnhuOHZWdFZ6X2RFajd5S0xIdWZBcWVFVFRlVmZESnllY21Ocw&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2Fevents&amp;amp;v=asqBR_3GjFE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/events
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Check out our online store for items that can help with your outreach:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI Store:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqblBFODllYlRQc2tMQm0zcHlNaW5WY0VSNGpqQXxBQ3Jtc0tub3hnWGVkRjNNR0tqeXVad1FvUnR0c2JGcVM4NzJpNG12cEZwaDZYRG52RHZreF84cV9pNXM3bnpUcXBkN05icjVIbUpMbEEtcEUxZXZwd0pMQ1B1elVhRjJGLXluSjBSZ0hnbFdMdGRoQldWenI2QQ&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fsfoi.org%2FStore&amp;amp;v=asqBR_3GjFE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Store
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/sfoi+Live+-+Dec+10+-+Dr.+Adam+Francisco.jpg" length="113315" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 11 Dec 2024 16:48:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-live-interview-with-dr-adam-francisco</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/sfoi+Live+-+Dec+10+-+Dr.+Adam+Francisco.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/sfoi+Live+-+Dec+10+-+Dr.+Adam+Francisco.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Stirling Long</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-stirling-long</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Atlanta Falcons
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/long_stirling" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Stirling's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, January 04, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Three hours of Open Air Preaching and Gospel Tract Distribution along with great conversations with Football Fans.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, December 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A windchill factor feeling like 19 degrees blew over the masses of Falcons &amp;amp; LA Ram Fans as we distributed hundreds of Gospel tracts and proclaimed His Glorious Gospel. Great preaching on a cold windy winters night at the Falcons vs LA Rams NFL Game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, December 07, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Doug Renz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Doug Renz - Open Air Preaching on this chilly and foggy Sunday Morning at today’s NFL Football Game as the Atlanta Falcons take on the Seattle Seahawks. Open Air Preaching at the Falcons vs Seahawks this Sunday morning where masses were exposed to the Gospel-The Good News of Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Doug Renz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday’s outreach at the home ground of the Atlanta Falcons, played at the Mercedes Benz Stadium, was excellent. Thousands of sports crazy fans and NFL lovers poured passed us to hear the Gospel being preached. We had awesome gospel centered conversations and we distributed hundreds of gospel tracts. Some fans even stopped to chat and thank us for doing what we were doing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Doug Renz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a wonderful, busy outreach to the Falcons and NFL Fans. I preached with Doug Renz and we distributed hundreds of Gospel Tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Yesterday, in spite of the madness preaching on the streets of Atlanta at a Dragon Con Parade. (a mix of a drag queen and a pride parade &amp;#55356;&amp;#57331;️‍⚧️ a fantasy event hijacked by Gays and Mockers and false Christians who slandered and mocked God for hours) Kirk Dotson did so well being young and standing firm, an experienced preacher beyond his years. I was so proud of him; my, how he has grown. Anyway, I happened to meet Todd. A Marine blown up in Afghanistan &amp;#55356;&amp;#56806;&amp;#55356;&amp;#56811; 15 years ago. His injuries were very severe and very evident. I was able to tell him about my blind brother Garth. Told him if he would Turn to the Lord, the Lord would reinvent him and give him his life’s purpose. He was visibly shaken by my word I gave him, and I know that this was one of those very special divine appointments. One divine appointment that so captured the moment, it was as if I had to go to Atlanta just to give him this word. Hope y’all are doing ok? Have a wonderful Sunday. Blessings, Stirling. ❤️❤️❤️
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 7, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Mark Yoho, Doug Renz, Brandon Jones, Stirling Long, Jimmy Wilson plus 2 others
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For the SEC College Championship Game at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta today, we had six Evangelists preaching and distributing gospel tracts and having conversations with many of the fans. In summary, it was an overall fruitful day in the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 1, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Alex Burt, Doug Renz, Kirk Dotson and Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Sunday’s Open Air Preaching at the Falcons vs Los Angeles Chargers turned out to be an excellent event. The thousands of fans and passersby’s heard an impassioned plea by the above four mentioned evangelists to repent and turn back to our Lord that there sins may be blotted out, and not to negate the works done by Christ on the Cross.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The preaching of the Gospel brought about many affirmations and gospel conversations. I cannot recall a Falcons game where so many gospel tracts were distributed and want to thank you for mailing me those much needed tracts.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday was an amazing day proclaiming the Gospel and what Christ did for us by His death Burial and Resurrection. Many heard the pure Word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 19, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            A picture perfect fall day at the Dome to Open Air Preach His Gospel and distribute Gospel Tracts to many fans of the “Fighting Irish &amp;amp; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets”.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” - Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Jan 7, '24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Preaching the Gospel at
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/nrgstadium?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWJpZdFTVZWsGbYQHMoeIyJJS-pBQnFAt1Pb_gNUQiC4IlrQBgAMi7ZKo3CVSYBMcz-qPSqFUTciJ3EHnip-Y5oXGi9CRppMEqOfelevWWvEp_BkUFxzk3naRPqQcrUxgJzkHmCyFgh5GkVwwr0LdMAZ2NAvkLM_f69RZWWJEo8-6prGn0HAWDq0JJEw3Yeivo&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #nrgstadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWJpZdFTVZWsGbYQHMoeIyJJS-pBQnFAt1Pb_gNUQiC4IlrQBgAMi7ZKo3CVSYBMcz-qPSqFUTciJ3EHnip-Y5oXGi9CRppMEqOfelevWWvEp_BkUFxzk3naRPqQcrUxgJzkHmCyFgh5GkVwwr0LdMAZ2NAvkLM_f69RZWWJEo8-6prGn0HAWDq0JJEw3Yeivo&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/untilallhear?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWJpZdFTVZWsGbYQHMoeIyJJS-pBQnFAt1Pb_gNUQiC4IlrQBgAMi7ZKo3CVSYBMcz-qPSqFUTciJ3EHnip-Y5oXGi9CRppMEqOfelevWWvEp_BkUFxzk3naRPqQcrUxgJzkHmCyFgh5GkVwwr0LdMAZ2NAvkLM_f69RZWWJEo8-6prGn0HAWDq0JJEw3Yeivo&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #untilallhear
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Jan 6, '24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Please pray for our Sports Fan Outreach Team and all these dedicated Open Air Preachers who have joined Alex Burt our Team Leader for this weekend superb sporting event the “College Football Championships”.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            It promises to be a special event and also what a splendid privilege to be able to Proclaim and Magnify the Name of the Son of God - “Jesus the Christ “, who came to seek and save sinners, you and me! ”And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’“
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, Jan 1, '24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This posting consists of only a small segment of the Cities and Events, from the North to the South, from the East to the West, whereby the Lord allowed me amazing opportunities with Sports Fan Outreach International to Boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Dec 24, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christmas Eve in Atlanta proclaiming the “ Happy Incarnation” of our Lord &amp;amp; Savior Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the Gospel to the NFL Fans as the Falcons play the Indiana Colts on this beautiful Sunday in Atlanta.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Dec 10, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The football season always brings about interesting and fruitful conversations concerning the Gospel of Jesus Christ; brought about by bold public preaching of His Word.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “ but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,“
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            -  1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/W+1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Dec 03, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            So blessed to be a part of these wonderful men of God, who love the Lord their God with all their mind and strength and proclaim and magnify His name.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - John‬ ‭5‬:‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Nov 26, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A cold and blustery day at Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints Rival Football Game.  Fans were unconvinced that a “ Payday “ is coming. “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well!” - Luke‬ ‭13‬:‭3‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/S+1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Nov 05, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Three Open Air Preachers gathered for Sunday’s Falcons vs Vikings NFL Game. The masses rolled past the preaching of the gospel with little interest just like the days of Noah. Hundreds of Gospel tracts were also distributed. Lastly we believe the Gospel soiled was tilled with His Word preached with many seeds scattered while sports enthusiasts were preoccupied with their worldly love for football with no thought of eternity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/alex+today.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Oct 15, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wonderful fall Sunday not to hot or too cold to preach to the masses of football fans entering the Stadium. Alex and I preached from John explaining who Christ is and what He has done for us. We both handed out lots of tracts. Atlanta sports mad crowds are very accommodating and we received more affirmation than heckling from mockers. It was a pleasure to take His Gospel to the Lost.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/C81DAEFC-7BAB-40BD-9083-DF4A0F1E7C45.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Oct 8, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Falcons games are normally on Sunday mid morning so it’s been difficult to get other Evangelists to join me because of their church commitments. Having said that Sunday October 8th was a brilliant day Preaching and talking to Atlanta Football Fans, Stadium Staff and Police. I started off playing some West African Worship Music. You can hear a snippet on my Instagram page. Beautiful songs honoring our God as Lord of All. Then I preached a message on John 15. “ Are you in Christ”. I rarely get favorable responses but on Sunday I had plenty. It goes to show Jesus confirms His Word - we are never alone. When we go in His power we always succeed in getting His Word out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long+0.JPG" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Sep 10, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While hundreds of fans flooded the sidewalks headed towards the Mercedes Benz Stadium, a bright light shone over one corner as the Gospel was proclaimed telling the fans of the glorious work of Jesus Christ. Today there were very few mockers and scoffers and both Carol and I had amazing Christ centered conversations with a number of people. “He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.” - John‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long-05df7430.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long.png" length="1266851" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 Dec 2024 15:13:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-stirling-long</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12-6 Weekend Events and Bowl Games</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-6-weekend-events-and-bowl-games</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           12-6 Weekend Events &amp;amp; Bowl games &amp;amp; GWP
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Schedule, etc list:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
                     
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3JPMHVpVHBjYnJURmExZFdTMDBNdGltYU9GUXxBQ3Jtc0trd1VZN3FOaXlBTm9BTGVGdWpQWHA4UHVaamNuRWdQbkwweEdDVTRyTzc3dlB5eTlVQlRZTHVyMnVkbFlzckpHMmlTeVY3clRBNk1CZzZrekJtZUxKSDh4VnRJYi1CSzBZa1ZYMUQ0Zzk2QTV3WEpuWQ&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fsfoi.org%2Fsports-concerts-festivals&amp;amp;v=sQyAJ-_ngUA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/sports-concerts-fest...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
                      College Schedule:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbm50LWZDYW5GOC1ERFdDM2toOGdvVUNSOUQwUXxBQ3Jtc0ttUDRJSHFEV0VodzNGeDc4dUlra0VZMXBCX3Fic2J5ZjZHWl93TkF6SmNVbHR6LXpqdDlHQXZ0NmtYd0pzck4zNXFwcEt6WDVsMTdqczcwcmRYOFJvaXFfWGVvcno3MDZHaVV3TUFjRzNwNUJyUkVKbw&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Ffbschedules.com%2Fcollege-football-schedule%2F&amp;amp;v=sQyAJ-_ngUA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://fbschedules.com/college-footb...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
                      NFL Schedule:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUVRRi16Zm9QdnE1YUdxMC1iZEYzYWppbURUUXxBQ3Jtc0trSk5YZHNhM3Z4SUhMZnZlTkNaLU9rM0EyRjFMMjdSbU1LQ2U3OGFZUHpPdXpaeWIxUURtb1ZMX29CMjFzZzNtYy1pZDdDTDRZOWxOYzVDbTdkOVJvS0pmOTl5c29xdks3Si1UTHFFTTBrZDFpWVdBRQ&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Ffbschedules.com%2Fnfl-schedule%2F&amp;amp;v=sQyAJ-_ngUA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://fbschedules.com/nfl-schedule/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI:  GWP Fellowship Conference June 16 - 20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
                      GWP for all preachers:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0Zqak5yR0s4MWlwcTFQZmMtRmk0NDRLSUFhQXxBQ3Jtc0treW13cmlCbTNSSHh3ckNic3ZIQUthTmd1cGpzZVdwRmVNMW55RWpaS0piY3Rycm9QVUplVWJSZ2tnNFFRMHNzbDNWUFlCOG9lZDhHMFd2T19Za0N3RUlnNWwtS3VTY3BHbHFBazhRUUM1SVhybXdSdw&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.georgewhitefieldprogram.org%2Fgwp-fellowship-conference&amp;amp;v=sQyAJ-_ngUA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.georgewhitefieldprogram.o...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
                      Church Planting
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbklSd2plaGVROGlTdFBDLWViV21JZTItbkVvQXxBQ3Jtc0trU1pVRDFzMm5sYWpSUFVkNEFXYkdOTjR6eTM0WkdXYmtaLTFFTk1vRjktSHFwX1BMYWw0Z2FhNHpzeVIwU3hVcjVLRXBzODVoc2xKZ0R1NmtTdXF0aEpYRWxNZlRDY1NsdUdwMnRmcUZNM2dVQldnWQ&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.georgewhitefieldprogram.org%2Fchurch-planting-for-evangelists&amp;amp;v=sQyAJ-_ngUA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.georgewhitefieldprogram.o...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI Events:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
                     
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFdTQ0ZhTkZGRUZrR2RpUVZSOTRsVy1pU25QZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsSzRUaVlZd2gzcnd0aXpMbzd0U1VnSk0xanItUVFVYTZGMFZrcHBBQTFjWlZxTV96VTJBbXpDcEpTbmtTU0lmcE1OUmQyWGwxd2tlclJBVWdPTHU4SUwtQWNrRzhTWmd1ZFZucGp6SFpZY3RFa3p6bw&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fsfoi.org%2Fevents&amp;amp;v=sQyAJ-_ngUA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/events
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 + Bowl Games:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
                     Week's Schedule:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFN4a0tVeHJtbFF1S1JPYWNub1ZPMFBLRC15d3xBQ3Jtc0trWTdLOG9kQ2s3WFRRa042RklpSlVld2d3NXVHbzdOMTc1eTZTclV3bWctbU1qN2ZqR2trWm96dU52Sl9ORWlKdVg4WmF3NlpLczdzSEtBemphLWwxOVdtdUpkdHg1ZHRRblF2RGxiSzg5VUZEMF9aWQ&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2FSFOI-1000-Football%23GameSchedule&amp;amp;v=sQyAJ-_ngUA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/SFOI-1000-Footba...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
                     Football Pro &amp;amp; College:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGlMRUlwNjJRaXQ3aXdwaFhkdWxyZENzWkloQXxBQ3Jtc0tuYzZHaWVGVTVLUnlURC1IRUJrSUJsNmJLbkttaXc5ampEcjNIN0RsNHFiYlZfM1dfYVNhTTVGTmE2X2U2MFVseUdpR0dxQ3ZvMHFWX1N5ZG9icXVaV0NfMVpZLV9DYnRIVW5DcU1BMURCeTZ0UzBzbw&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2FSFOI-1000-Football&amp;amp;v=sQyAJ-_ngUA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/SFOI-1000-Football
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
                     Bowl Games: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUw3N2l0VGVMeS1NUXJzN2gxZW5RNXpPMWg5QXxBQ3Jtc0tubTAtLVZ3TV9IWVRqLWxEOUY4ek9JMzdUTHZXMzFGOWd1dm9xeGJVVkRzZTN5cktLVVJ3c282UnVJUnJyWF90cHREZW1HYXNCalJnRUwxaXlLTXlMb2Z1UGhfcl9KLXQ5NmlDSkM3SXB2b1loTmpodw&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2FCollege-Football-Bowl-Games&amp;amp;v=sQyAJ-_ngUA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/College-Football...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
                     NBA:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGFQU2tTV2thS0ZyaF9GX1JwanQ3N0hYY3BpUXxBQ3Jtc0tuXzRCNU9CcHF3Q1VqSG15RjUwNXkzeVEwTVptU0pBSEltTXlLWHdPVHNxUTNuU3hVbVo1M21kcXdYZC03OFNTcmh1cGsyazRZZm5jQzh1bkduTmY3LXJaWGJoU1FqQXRwU3Rkc3pkX3BKUkROamhkMA&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2FSFOI-1000-NBA&amp;amp;v=sQyAJ-_ngUA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/SFOI-1000-NBA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
                     NHL:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkpXREZMUUl1T0g2YmVHeEtncW41VlUwUFRLd3xBQ3Jtc0tuMXA2TTdXcTdLR21UZ09HaURDN3NzVENMbmx3X0hyc0VlOG9tX1MzZFR3U3ZoSkVFTEdRNlNRTFd2Wks0RW56S0xHWDB1UnM4a0ttSER5dFpWSXBZVmJwSTlQb1FwLWY1X0FBNWdDY2RXOWxTaUF4bw&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2FSFOI-1000-NHL&amp;amp;v=sQyAJ-_ngUA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/SFOI-1000-NHL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Join the Team:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
                     
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0dVMk9FV1BwNXg2LXRXajQtQ3ZDSjlMY2JDZ3xBQ3Jtc0tua0RQZ0Y5emZGQWlMZUlFbVdzbWZuTjcybTA5WnZFbzZoQTV3ZmxEZ3RDaFlJZ2hsX2RMU3luZUZxbnFsYWRuT2pKMmxUWXlBRWZuUFotazk2d19YSlN2NXJhcWc5a0dIUGFBZWRuamM2TzA5eF9Saw&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2Fsfoi-evangelists---join-the-team&amp;amp;v=sQyAJ-_ngUA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-evangelists...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How to write a Tract:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
                    
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjY1OVZyeUpmQmVmbXQ1dzhwT1N3OFBrOFhxZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttS3RsbXBNY1dQSkg0bWZ0cVNPTjViVzNOSkJSRmYwbEgzYnVuQTJPMTVkeER4TzZVR2NUbUhTbXQzZ0E4TnUzYmR5TGkzTjBsSVRqT3ZfWFVxMTlvVldJY0toSmk2dGlDLXd6UDZTakNaSDVjUkpPOA&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2Fhow-to-write-a-tract&amp;amp;v=sQyAJ-_ngUA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/how-to-write-a-t...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI Donate:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
                     
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3M5YnhrZnJybF9IN3FYQ2xxcHYySFN5LXJ4d3xBQ3Jtc0trV2lORDdaRXhFcURqTVdmNDF3cEk5Uk5FWm9oTEI2T2tJN2o0R2dUaHBIczdfZWNwNTZraWxhTk5oQ1RHTnhNZE5ESTVSckVuZ3o0dGJZUHBlOTdvTGhiN3lKOUt4RWw0UXRYN1RIWmVnRFdkZ1V0OA&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2FDonate-Tax-Deductible-Gifts&amp;amp;v=sQyAJ-_ngUA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/Donate-Tax-Deduc...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fundraising Training:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
                     
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqa09KcmdmaFBsUTFsaUFYOExXNmxsM0NtS0Jjd3xBQ3Jtc0tuWEpsbDRGcjhVWENtMjlKU1NHTWRvWE84bjhpRm9BdmlLTUtvSXNsbjRvSmtReGw3Q3JFQjdRd0YwLWVjZkJ2T3k4aUJfUkpfUTBwcnJacXptMHhYOC1IcUFQc3YyTkVFRFNiUF9KeG9jZElQV2VrNA&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2Ffundraising-training&amp;amp;v=sQyAJ-_ngUA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/fundraising-trai...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Keep Your Finger in the Text (Expository preaching program):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
                    
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkxzMUZjcHNOaXFkNC1yQm5HTEI3N01TYmw0Z3xBQ3Jtc0ttTWtneGlFZTFNdUNqMFVRSGZidE1FanNBTDlob0pHWXdMLWJwVHdCN1dhdTBYLXdMak90UjA3MUVkdFZSa013TlJkUjY0Vjk3Q3VsWmhrcnhORDIyQzVKcnBxNXJmY1FOSTI2ZFZaQ0h4UkdZNVlOcw&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2FKeepYourFingerintheText&amp;amp;v=sQyAJ-_ngUA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerin...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bowl+Games+-24-25.jpeg" length="116896" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Dec 2024 17:49:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-6-weekend-events-and-bowl-games</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bowl+Games+-24-25.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bowl+Games+-24-25.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Grayson Shaw</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-grayson-shaw</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Grayson Shaw
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Allen E. Paulson Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/shaw_grayson" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Grayson+Shaw.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Grayson's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jim Shaw, John Shaw, Wesley Mincey, Bailey Mincey, Daniel Miles
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The crowds were slimmer than normal for the 1 PM kickoff. We set up in our usual spot and after a few minutes, Wesley scouted for another location with good foot traffic, and once he found one, Bailey and Daniel accompanied him. The interactions were pretty low compared to past outreaches, but Daniel had a good conversation with some believers, and Grayson spoke to two middle school aged kids who had their hope in Christ and encouraged them to keep the faith. Jim and Grayson Shaw preached and others held signs and passed out tracts. It has been a fruitful season outside of Paulson Stadium.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: John Shaw, Allen Watruba and Tom Kollars
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The crowds were thinner than usual and there was a lot of apathy as we did our outreach on Saturday. We still were in our usual spot and had a good number of people pass by as we passed out gospel tracts and John and Grayson Shaw preached. Tom Kollars brought his trombone and played hymns and interacted with many people. We had a few conversations, including with a young man named Alex who had his hope for his eternity in not having committed sins that have hurt anyone. We directed him to Jesus’ message of repentance and belief. Pray for Alex to consider justice, and how he needs to be made right with God through Christ’s blood.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Wesley Mincey, Bailey Mincey, Daniel Miles and Allen Watruba
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The crowds poured in Saturday night as it was the biggest rivalry game of the year for Georgia Southern and Georgia State. Being in our usual spot, where a lot of students come in we interacted with a large number of people under the influence of alcohol, and dealt with the normal amount of hecklers and mockers. It has been tamer this season, but this was more of a typical night time outreach. We had a few good conversations, passed out a good number of tracts, and preached for about an hour and a half. Two young men said they wanted to attend church the next day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Wesley Mincey, Bailey Mincey, Allen Watruba and David Hammond
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The outreach went well. This was our first true night game of the season as it started to get dark while we were still doing ministry. This season has been much tamer as far as negative feedback and heckling, but we did have a couple this time out. We held our signs to try to get personal interactions, and had some good conversations with a few people coming to the game. It took a while for the foot traffic to build up, but once it got closer to game time there were a good amount of people coming in. Grayson Shaw was the only one who preached this time, he was able to go for about and hour and a half. Overall, the outreach lasted about 2 hours. No issues with police, tracts were handed out, and God was glorified through the event.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: RJ Braddy, John Shaw, Jim Shaw, Wesley Mincey, Steph Mincey, Bailey Mincey
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The crowd wasn’t as big for this week, but we were still in an area of good foot traffic, and we ended up splitting the group to cover more ground after about 25 minutes. There was a lot of positive feedback from passerby’s, but we didn’t have as many conversations as last week. We did have a few good ones though, and Grayson, John and Jim Shaw preached messages in the open air.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Kaz Deluca, Jack Martin, RJ Braddy, Allen Watruba, Jim Shaw, and John Shaw
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           First outreach of the year went very well. We had a good team mixed with some seasoned evangelists as well as some who were coming out for the first time. Jim and Grayson Shaw preached in the open air while the rest of the team passed out tracts and had personal conversations. Around 200 tracts were passed out, and RJ said that 3 people gave their lives to the Lord. We also got a few contacts to invite people to church the next day. Overall it was a good first outreach, and we are optimistic that we may be able to have a team of 10+ at some games this year. The Lord is working in Bulloch County GA.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 30, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Georgia Southern vs App State
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jason and son John were the only two at this game since team lead Grayson Shaw was in Alabama visiting family for Thanksgiving. People were moving fast, and were on a mission to get into the game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             There was a party atmosphere in the air and Jason preached and John held a sign. They talked to a few people and most were either “yes I believe” or hostile. Got a middle finger from a girl in her mid 20's who turned around to do so, and others wanted to be hostile, but when asked to engage they walked away. Was more hostile than it has been in previous games this year, but that is night games for you.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jason asked some when they understood they believed and tried to get a little deeper with some people but wasn't able to get much substance out of them. Jason and John also talked to the parents of a player on the Detroit Lions who were positive, but not too deep.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There were lots of people who don’t believe Christ is the answer, but don’t have an answer themselves. Highest attendance so far this year from what Jason could gauge.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 16, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Outreach at the GSU vs Troy game went well.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I had 8 people there including myself, and a missionary who was home from the Philippines who usually goes and works with Alex Burt at Georgia reached out to me on Friday night about coming out and working with us. He got there early and passed out tracts, and the rest of us got there at 2:30.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We had Daniel Miles, Trevor Callaway and his girlfriend Maya, Eric Gray, Jason Wiltse and his son John, myself and Derek.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We ended up splitting into two groups of 4 since we had 8, and Derek led a group on one side of the stadium while I had another group where we normally stay. Eric got on the mic for the first time and did well reading in Isaiah and John. Jason and John held signs while engaging with people by the gate, and I stood by Eric as he preached, and preached on Proverbs 10-11 after he finished up.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We passed out a number of tracts and met a few people who said they were wanting to do ministry like what we were doing. There wasn’t much hostility overall.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 19, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           GSU v James Madison
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Outreach at the Georgia Southern vs James Madison game went well. We had Jason Wiltse (pastor of Liberty Church in Sylvania) and Daniel Miles in attendance. Jason held the “Are you going to heaven? Take the test signs and preached, I held signs and passed out tracts, and Daniel passed out tracts.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The foot traffic wasn’t as heavy this game as it has been in the past. I had a few good conversations, particuarly with a man named DJ and the woman that was with him and another man named Thomas Hill.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           DJ and the woman realized the importance of knowing where they would spend eternity, and were open to going to a local church. Thomas was as well, and I got their phone numbers and invited them the next day. I sent DJ to Wesley’s (a fellow evangelist) church and I got a text back from him, but am not sure if he went. Did not hear from Thomas.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jason was enthusiastic about the opportunity to evangelize, and engaged with many people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a good, God honoring event. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 13, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The attendants were me and Wesley (the associate pastor at Thrive Church in Statesboro), because most people were either out of town or at a family function. I knew once we had gotten down to two that something unusual was going to happen, and it wasn’t quite on the scale that I thought it would be, but this game was different from the others. I bought some yard signs offline that have some messages on one side of them, and also a “Are you going to heaven, take the test” sign on the front. I preached for a while and he did as well, and I saw my friend from the adult baseball league for the second home game in a row. He came up and greeted me again.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            There were many more drunken people in the crowd, and thus many more sarcastic comments and mocking charades. Nonetheless, we still had a few good conversations, and were able to pass out some tracts. Wesley did very well interacting with people, and had a good conversation with the ticket scanners at the gate, although they kept getting busy due to people needing to get into the game. Wesley later told me that the gatekeepers said that people were complaining about us being there, but they were taking up for us saying that we had freedom of speech and were within our rights.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had several people from cars behind us ask what our “are you going to heaven” signs said, and we got to speak to the asker as well as the other people in the car with them. One of the guys in the backseat of a truck noticed my shirt and that we had gone to the same high school. He said he was a Christian, but the guy who asked the question in the front did not seem to be.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             ﻿
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I also had a young man who claimed to be an atheist and who was also under the influence of alcohol come up to me and ask about taking the test. He said he would get into heaven as a result of predestination and how a priest told him he was going to heaven when he was young. When I started to ask him questions to engage him, his friend who said he was a Christian kept trying to get him to go into the game saying “not right now” and “I don’t want him to get saved while he is under the influence.” Eventually they went inside the game and I gave the guy a tract. He tried to give it back, but I told him he should keep it and read it in the morning when he sobered up.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I also had a guy in a car pull up behind me and drunkenly tell me he wanted to meet me later to tell me about him hemorrhoid. I gave him a thumbs up and told him I wouldn’t be there.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 14, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Outreach at the GSU game went well on 9/14. We met at 4:30, and I got there about 4:45 because I needed to find some ponchos for the guys since it was raining. We passed out a bunch of the SFOI tracts, and had Jim, Grayson and John Shaw preach.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We also had Daniel Miles, Wesley (last name unknown), Kaz (n/a), and Stephen Forrester there with the group. The last 3 were laborers that were added to the field from our first outreach when we met Wesley. He recruited Kaz and Stephen from his church.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The new guys did well, and there was one guy who prayed to receive Christ, and we got his phone number so that he could be invited to church. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: August 31, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Georgia Southern v Boise State Outreach Report 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            "We got to our parking spot meet up at around 2:30 and the last person to arrive got there at around 2:45. We made the 20 minute walk to our spot at the corner of Lanier Drive and Chandler Road and set up the speaker and got our signs and tracts out. The foot traffic there was pretty good, and we will set up near there if not in the same spot next time.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We had 6 people total (John Shaw, Jim Shaw, Eric Gray, Daniel Miles, Trevor Callaway and his girl friend Maya), and engaged in open air preaching, reading of scripture, holding signs that read “are you going to heaven, take the test” and passing out some gospel tracts.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a few who had never done street outreach before, so it was a good learning experience for them to hold signs and pass out tracts. We had a number of good conversations, and met a local associate pastor who said he would like to bring us next time. It was a good, God honoring event."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Grayson+Shaw.png" length="1420399" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Dec 2024 17:05:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-grayson-shaw</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Grayson+Shaw.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Grayson+Shaw.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Pat Hegarty</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-pat-hegarty</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Pat Hegarty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Canvas Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/hegarty_pat" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Pat+Hegarty-dc10e5eb.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Pat's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Friday, November 28, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Mike Henderson, Tracy Hegarty, Dom Lopez and Paul Lopez
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was the last outreach to the CSU Ram Football Fans of 2025. The weather was warm for November here in Colorado and the crowd was a good size, even though the Rams have had a difficult year in terms of wins and losses. We handed out over 400 of the "Are you a good person?" cartoon-style tracts and were able to preach for about an hour and 45 minutes. Please pray for all those who heard the Word and those who received the message in written form in 2025. God Bless!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a bit of a colder day in Northern Colorado for the game against the UNLV Rebels. But the crowd was a decent size as game time arrived and an opportunity to preach three different messages all from the Psalms and hand out some tracks in between preaching. Have one more home game left for this season the Friday after Thanksgiving. If you're in Fort Collins and you like to join me let me know. God bless!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The attendance at Colorado State's Canvas Stadium on October 18, 2025, was a record all time high of 40,416 for our fifth #sfoi outreach of 2025 at CSU. I preached from Psalm 50 about the God's call to both legalist and the lawless to glorify God by bringing the sacrifice of thanksgiving which cause us to look away from ourselves and what we are doing to the perfect sacrifice that God has provided in Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: Mike Henderson and Cody DeGroot
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a bit rainy but not too cold for this CSU Rams v the Fresno State Bulldogs game that kicked off at 7:00 pm on October 11th, 2025. We had a number of people who stopped and talked including one man who stood up on a rock opposite Mike Henderson for about 20 minutes offering challenges to the Gospel and asking questions. It was a good interaction. I also talked to 2 high school-aged brothers that were Romans Catholic, one of whom thought he would get to heaven if he "did not do anything stupid". Please pray for all who heard the Word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: Mike Henderson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mike Henderson and I arrived at Canvas Stadium about 3:45 for the game between the CSU Rams and the WSU Cougars. We decided to set up on the quieter side of the stadium in hopes of being heard clearly. We took turns preaching for about an hour and a half, with many people taking literature, including about 20 copies of the Gospel of John. Many people expressed appreciation for our presence and the bold proclamation of Christ. We also had a few naysayers to whom we pronounced our wish for God's blessing on them and for whom we are praying.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: Mike Henderson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mike and I were out at Canvas Stadium for the CSU Rams v the USTA Roadrunners game. I arrived about 5 pm and stayed until about 8:30 pm. Mike had to leave a bit earlier. We were able to preach to the fans for a good portion of that time, leading up to kickoff at 7:30 pm. Our message was about Christ suffering for us so that we would not have to be afraid or troubled when we are called to suffer for righteousness' sake. 1 Peter 3:13 "Who will harm you if you are devoted to doing good?" The answer is that no one can ultimately harm you in that case. Even if you are persecuted for Christ, you are blessed. We pointed out that CK, as someone who strove to interact with people with gentleness and respect as he defended the reason for the hope he had in Christ, was and is a great example of that truth. After the preaching, there were about 5 or 6 students that engaged me in conversation for about 45 minutes. It was a great opportunity. I praise God that my brother Mike could join me and I was blessed by his preaching! Join us if you can! Next home game is on Sep 27th.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There was a good-sized crowd out at Canvas Stadium for the first home game of the 2025 season at Colorado State University. I arrived about 2 hours before kickoff. I was preaching about the strong confidence David exhibits in Psalm 23 because of the very real presence of the LORD, his shepherd, in his life. All of this prefigures the shepherd that was to come, who would lay His life down for his sheep. Read Psalm 22 and 23. God Bless!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 29,2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Had a great time preaching and had a friend named Joel come who is part of our Fri night evangelism team. Handed out a lot of tracts. Praying God saves souls!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/468748786_9872286156120996_8690863014021305250_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 26, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined:
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joel Roman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was another beautiful day in Colorado for the 100th homecoming game for the Colorado State Rams. The crowd was at capacity and opportunities were abundant to not only hand out gospel literature but to preach the gospel of Christ as well. Check out our you tube channel for videos. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.youtube.com/@HeartyGospelHelping" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           http://www.youtube.com/@HeartyGospelHelping
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 12, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a bright sunny warm day out at canvas Stadium with a good amount of people in attendance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two of my fellow ambassadors had to work that day but I was blessed to be out there proclaiming the gospel of Christ and handing out gospel literature.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The game was an early 1:30 p.m. start so I was there from about 11:00 until 2:00.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 21, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Joel Roman and Dom Lopez
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The weather was very nice for the CSU v UTEP game in Fort Collins which started at 3 pm on 092124. I was joined by 2 brothers who encouraged and assisted in taking the gospel to the fans.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We passed out tracts and preached from Psalm 34 on the subject of "God Delivers us from from ungodly fears through reverence for Christ."
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The crowds were smaller this week but there were many opportunities. Praise God for His faithfulness!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 14, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Caleb from Gospel Invasion Ministries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            On Saturday Sep 14th at Canvas Stadium we had the largest crowd ever recorded for the Interstate rivalry game between the Colorado State Rams and the University of Colorado Buffs led by Deion Sanders ie. Coach Prime.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            A Denver-based ambassador from Gospel Invasion Ministries came up for the game to join me. I was able to preach and have conversations from about 2:30 PM until about 5:30 PM.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a great time as always. I am praying for more laborers this coming week! Pleas consider joining me if you can. For Videos check out my Youtube channel - Hearty Gospel Helping.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 7, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a beautiful day to be out at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, CO on Saturday September 7th for the CSU Rams opening home game of the season.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            I was able to display the "Are You Ready" cross and preach from Psalm 1 and 2 using the theme "Against Our Refuge the Blessed Royal Son the Peoples Plot in Vain" As well as from John 15:1-17 on "Christ the True Vine, Source of All We Need"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Pat+Hegarty.png" length="4504092" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Dec 2024 16:04:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-pat-hegarty</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Pat+Hegarty.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Pat+Hegarty.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Campus Ministry - Joe Hinson</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-ministry-joe-hinson</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Campus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Joe Hinson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Utah
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Campus' mission is for Christ to be preached and the Word of God to be taught in the open air at as many College and University campuses in the US as possible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you would like to preach with Joe, see the schedule below and contact him directly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Utah | Tuesdays 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/hinson_joe" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
        
            Joe Hinson
           &#xD;
      &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Phone:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:940-230-7477"&gt;&#xD;
      
           940-230-7477
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Email:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:joe.hin@gmail.com"&gt;&#xD;
      
           joe.hin@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I'm at UVU today. Prayers appreciated for fruitful ministry.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZXq-eAglSby1CgKhiLqoAybW-KVA4EKB74DcxIPbhfpWpjdEbGvJiiIWx2KBfGEPdlDVD9qiN4TRNZITeOvdc8Xfyb-63vElbr75G8lvrvn8nFw6ca__HyRM_dmPXG2XTb_QsdeozcnKC2poUNRyM3f&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Advancingthegospelofficial?__cft__[0]=AZXq-eAglSby1CgKhiLqoAybW-KVA4EKB74DcxIPbhfpWpjdEbGvJiiIWx2KBfGEPdlDVD9qiN4TRNZITeOvdc8Xfyb-63vElbr75G8lvrvn8nFw6ca__HyRM_dmPXG2XTb_QsdeozcnKC2poUNRyM3f&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advancingthegospelofficial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus+-+3-4e5bc8c9.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We're at U of U today. Prayers appreciated. So far, we have had a brief conversation with a guy who holds to baptismal regeneration. Pray for him; his name is Jordan.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus+-+2-ee04c3aa.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            During our outreach today at UVU we're passing out invites to an online anonymous b Bible study. Pray this and our efforts today would bare fruit.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZUV_RfysBmJf0Xo26BWdVvPB0D7SygY-DHO-b6BBcwVMLZywk-V7YYWGlDuub02jhuhVowSbtCc5edR7vs3MB-gn2B6yYEpVDO4qxOzecaVA3aNdLO-vAWjEW3vQcmRqnYMQ4eFlN-VhoGvzTflO6BFqDlWD4eobLOtOUEdIsGxl30cIxHHXPRNanRd_xa_sWs&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Advancingthegospelofficial?__cft__[0]=AZUV_RfysBmJf0Xo26BWdVvPB0D7SygY-DHO-b6BBcwVMLZywk-V7YYWGlDuub02jhuhVowSbtCc5edR7vs3MB-gn2B6yYEpVDO4qxOzecaVA3aNdLO-vAWjEW3vQcmRqnYMQ4eFlN-VhoGvzTflO6BFqDlWD4eobLOtOUEdIsGxl30cIxHHXPRNanRd_xa_sWs&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advancingthegospelofficial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus+-+1-0c7f6966.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not feeling well today. Nothing contagious. I'm at UVU for the next few hours for outreach. I could really use some prayer.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus+-+2-05489dcc.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here at UVU. Prayers appreciated for our outreach.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus+-+1-e767e57d.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, November 06, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers appreciated for my outreach to UVU. Already had a few Gospel conversations of substance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus+-+1-d2f6627c.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Brother
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ed.romine.14?__cft__[0]=AZWJwDrtYSZFKxv9wOgE02SrlUb1G8-4GpeUE3WPWLyFIwPB9E2BQNNdmS1jODYPoeRS_KDOoMhJrgZnXc2v3UTw6nLlPAdBlW2jPnkObminLWPGPZaoW8cJWZYuM4j1oPZ5SGgz4LyKcYUkMvx185od5i1wHpdtmub6aYQikiL5pgpfNyA47C0MDUA6W3bmzx4&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ed Romine
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and I had a great outreach to the University of Utah today. The gospel was preached and we had great conversations with 4 students. Prayers appreciated.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus+-+1-192e22bc.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers very much appreciated for our outreach to UVU today. Pray for Franko and Dave. 2 LDS members we had gospel conversations with. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZUBR1B2Hd4Ik2MZf5wR5s0ljaNcg5fz5W2koDbMKN1fxVe3TUIQlnSqRfOZQC371Chzycbk6a4MFrgCbqiUCV8G3DfdGSOnilbE3pVrhodT9vM2-sMzTtmoziq4hqykOEuHP663RSGCF2dv54qr8T7FxuFfMB2nrLnIxf93jAmunw5XUl7-7XoRwSBMwECl6no&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K*F" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ed.romine.14?__cft__[0]=AZUBR1B2Hd4Ik2MZf5wR5s0ljaNcg5fz5W2koDbMKN1fxVe3TUIQlnSqRfOZQC371Chzycbk6a4MFrgCbqiUCV8G3DfdGSOnilbE3pVrhodT9vM2-sMzTtmoziq4hqykOEuHP663RSGCF2dv54qr8T7FxuFfMB2nrLnIxf93jAmunw5XUl7-7XoRwSBMwECl6no&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K*F" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ed Romine
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Advancingthegospelofficial?__cft__[0]=AZUBR1B2Hd4Ik2MZf5wR5s0ljaNcg5fz5W2koDbMKN1fxVe3TUIQlnSqRfOZQC371Chzycbk6a4MFrgCbqiUCV8G3DfdGSOnilbE3pVrhodT9vM2-sMzTtmoziq4hqykOEuHP663RSGCF2dv54qr8T7FxuFfMB2nrLnIxf93jAmunw5XUl7-7XoRwSBMwECl6no&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K*F" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advancingthegospelofficial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, October 09, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Outreach to UVU.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZXGFL5euj8ez6KCb_Fczl6sRAc1VpOvJfQWcALwyrrqRZJE30YnVFbkUBE-Mfryn4-FjQeQWTRF6opx26VYPcksUJUVTR9vh_RPdnNDnz9ry80j9nTSGHD6rzD3JP_BHVk2lIxxNs43HxtD1MkCKlUOzJU9gIj9_Hom3Nui5Z4D6JBJDvKhRr2sQrFlegTkImU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Advancingthegospelofficial?__cft__[0]=AZXGFL5euj8ez6KCb_Fczl6sRAc1VpOvJfQWcALwyrrqRZJE30YnVFbkUBE-Mfryn4-FjQeQWTRF6opx26VYPcksUJUVTR9vh_RPdnNDnz9ry80j9nTSGHD6rzD3JP_BHVk2lIxxNs43HxtD1MkCKlUOzJU9gIj9_Hom3Nui5Z4D6JBJDvKhRr2sQrFlegTkImU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advancingthegospelofficial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ed.romine.14?__cft__[0]=AZXGFL5euj8ez6KCb_Fczl6sRAc1VpOvJfQWcALwyrrqRZJE30YnVFbkUBE-Mfryn4-FjQeQWTRF6opx26VYPcksUJUVTR9vh_RPdnNDnz9ry80j9nTSGHD6rzD3JP_BHVk2lIxxNs43HxtD1MkCKlUOzJU9gIj9_Hom3Nui5Z4D6JBJDvKhRr2sQrFlegTkImU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ed Romine
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, October 02, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            UVU outreach update...
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZXwEyz0eADdOOKm69bmlNf9Irjwoao6ZHZlZcnM4_eQ9KnUaCGkDOHqdIpJA5YsmrinR0nj7fn5gFgwMzgzhMLJ0SfTeXXNRiHson2-OSequgJhpBpOgErDazxgQ1jdPJ-e5brBZrUdO4uEfrggMG_FZtDikl-1sXDm6XzDl2tbPnZefiQi0SyTWdFCZfffBaI&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Advancingthegospelofficial?__cft__[0]=AZXwEyz0eADdOOKm69bmlNf9Irjwoao6ZHZlZcnM4_eQ9KnUaCGkDOHqdIpJA5YsmrinR0nj7fn5gFgwMzgzhMLJ0SfTeXXNRiHson2-OSequgJhpBpOgErDazxgQ1jdPJ-e5brBZrUdO4uEfrggMG_FZtDikl-1sXDm6XzDl2tbPnZefiQi0SyTWdFCZfffBaI&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advancingthegospelofficial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/607402722334295/?__cft__[0]=AZXwEyz0eADdOOKm69bmlNf9Irjwoao6ZHZlZcnM4_eQ9KnUaCGkDOHqdIpJA5YsmrinR0nj7fn5gFgwMzgzhMLJ0SfTeXXNRiHson2-OSequgJhpBpOgErDazxgQ1jdPJ-e5brBZrUdO4uEfrggMG_FZtDikl-1sXDm6XzDl2tbPnZefiQi0SyTWdFCZfffBaI&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ the King Evangelism Prayer Group
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            At UVU, please pray.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZXGUVrT3Wa3GDrcX1H1H_YvxIC_wLlPw35pwHt9zCbgVHuGpzOzH1BFXNgKvMjpDZ_cgJ7-pepJnFgJ3xO9f90O4i8u87SSNjtGLRXngwYq0xNIJOCqRw71-a7hQeqOqata5BydAONeAaSyzlc5QCYvI-9ax99HdGUXu3WO_K7zUnJQ6Wp6YNlpGTYsTzoaF0M&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Advancingthegospelofficial?__cft__[0]=AZXGUVrT3Wa3GDrcX1H1H_YvxIC_wLlPw35pwHt9zCbgVHuGpzOzH1BFXNgKvMjpDZ_cgJ7-pepJnFgJ3xO9f90O4i8u87SSNjtGLRXngwYq0xNIJOCqRw71-a7hQeqOqata5BydAONeAaSyzlc5QCYvI-9ax99HdGUXu3WO_K7zUnJQ6Wp6YNlpGTYsTzoaF0M&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advancingthegospelofficial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            UVU outreach update. A call to prayer.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZWMLOD5ej20Y-um8WkAAmYKbXUAjPRbeuNLfTLXr7vfKEWNSc1wukppFvJesOh-L5n2jSWQ7u2AZrjF9BOQ9TGOWLG1CuMVhkaO3-jXhYwJdFEcGokrq7PLY2MPQsB4_Yiu-EJSrIhQY1IUSe8oDFAd9s83baEnnCpCLQ1LvnGbQCaLn91_GJvgFkcCcWVgjqY&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Advancingthegospelofficial?__cft__[0]=AZWMLOD5ej20Y-um8WkAAmYKbXUAjPRbeuNLfTLXr7vfKEWNSc1wukppFvJesOh-L5n2jSWQ7u2AZrjF9BOQ9TGOWLG1CuMVhkaO3-jXhYwJdFEcGokrq7PLY2MPQsB4_Yiu-EJSrIhQY1IUSe8oDFAd9s83baEnnCpCLQ1LvnGbQCaLn91_GJvgFkcCcWVgjqY&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advancingthegospelofficial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ed.romine.14?__cft__[0]=AZWMLOD5ej20Y-um8WkAAmYKbXUAjPRbeuNLfTLXr7vfKEWNSc1wukppFvJesOh-L5n2jSWQ7u2AZrjF9BOQ9TGOWLG1CuMVhkaO3-jXhYwJdFEcGokrq7PLY2MPQsB4_Yiu-EJSrIhQY1IUSe8oDFAd9s83baEnnCpCLQ1LvnGbQCaLn91_GJvgFkcCcWVgjqY&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ed Romine
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/607402722334295/?__cft__[0]=AZWMLOD5ej20Y-um8WkAAmYKbXUAjPRbeuNLfTLXr7vfKEWNSc1wukppFvJesOh-L5n2jSWQ7u2AZrjF9BOQ9TGOWLG1CuMVhkaO3-jXhYwJdFEcGokrq7PLY2MPQsB4_Yiu-EJSrIhQY1IUSe8oDFAd9s83baEnnCpCLQ1LvnGbQCaLn91_GJvgFkcCcWVgjqY&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ the King Evangelism Prayer Group
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            A call to prayer for UVU...
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZXSPJwn9lq6CZLrxZjrftpmjdkyVSMeQQpJ2VSUF3izHXUUIz4cK7W3o6Fh8vTbzk4mfruEWwfR5uKEyZ5kC6dCffsnmTQB96z2rJ5Dsd8xKoY3QoW3afNnnfObenqXHWmOTlnufEXZo8x9PSjDSa5CMiOPImYwxsyToYPwaQ-eSbkbXWuth44CEIGP6ejLiUjhM_52HQHrnBiDIdh8XD34&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Advancingthegospelofficial?__cft__[0]=AZXSPJwn9lq6CZLrxZjrftpmjdkyVSMeQQpJ2VSUF3izHXUUIz4cK7W3o6Fh8vTbzk4mfruEWwfR5uKEyZ5kC6dCffsnmTQB96z2rJ5Dsd8xKoY3QoW3afNnnfObenqXHWmOTlnufEXZo8x9PSjDSa5CMiOPImYwxsyToYPwaQ-eSbkbXWuth44CEIGP6ejLiUjhM_52HQHrnBiDIdh8XD34&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advancingthegospelofficial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ed.romine.14?__cft__[0]=AZXSPJwn9lq6CZLrxZjrftpmjdkyVSMeQQpJ2VSUF3izHXUUIz4cK7W3o6Fh8vTbzk4mfruEWwfR5uKEyZ5kC6dCffsnmTQB96z2rJ5Dsd8xKoY3QoW3afNnnfObenqXHWmOTlnufEXZo8x9PSjDSa5CMiOPImYwxsyToYPwaQ-eSbkbXWuth44CEIGP6ejLiUjhM_52HQHrnBiDIdh8XD34&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ed Romine
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/607402722334295/?__cft__[0]=AZXSPJwn9lq6CZLrxZjrftpmjdkyVSMeQQpJ2VSUF3izHXUUIz4cK7W3o6Fh8vTbzk4mfruEWwfR5uKEyZ5kC6dCffsnmTQB96z2rJ5Dsd8xKoY3QoW3afNnnfObenqXHWmOTlnufEXZo8x9PSjDSa5CMiOPImYwxsyToYPwaQ-eSbkbXWuth44CEIGP6ejLiUjhM_52HQHrnBiDIdh8XD34&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ the King Evangelism Prayer Group
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 3, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Last outreach at the University of Utah before winter break. Prayers appreciated.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ed.romine.14?__cft__[0]=AZXj6qMUXgCpmfuOKLQVofbVfgJOo-ZFER1zQ9JUjUZUrToNj6a_PaJAZFYjJONknc6juQr1rmzupFMh-lfy1hmDpwkkZKPH_c2AUXwiPV0hwz0JGo4GK6TY3gWfjh__LMAGSZN5pBlGY2YtyBpfnxxGK_mlIEUiPIg42vlM7L35fVBf2n1Z9mpkoB7QmB5Arhs&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ed Romine
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            is preaching on Philippians 2. I just finished an Advent message on  Colossions 1:15-20.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZXj6qMUXgCpmfuOKLQVofbVfgJOo-ZFER1zQ9JUjUZUrToNj6a_PaJAZFYjJONknc6juQr1rmzupFMh-lfy1hmDpwkkZKPH_c2AUXwiPV0hwz0JGo4GK6TY3gWfjh__LMAGSZN5pBlGY2YtyBpfnxxGK_mlIEUiPIg42vlM7L35fVBf2n1Z9mpkoB7QmB5Arhs&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Advancingthegospelofficial?__cft__[0]=AZXj6qMUXgCpmfuOKLQVofbVfgJOo-ZFER1zQ9JUjUZUrToNj6a_PaJAZFYjJONknc6juQr1rmzupFMh-lfy1hmDpwkkZKPH_c2AUXwiPV0hwz0JGo4GK6TY3gWfjh__LMAGSZN5pBlGY2YtyBpfnxxGK_mlIEUiPIg42vlM7L35fVBf2n1Z9mpkoB7QmB5Arhs&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advancingthegospelofficial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus.jpeg" length="156046" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Dec 2024 14:44:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/campus-ministry-joe-hinson</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">Campus Mission</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+-+Campus.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Andy Schmelzer</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-andy-schmelzer</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 - Andy Schmelzer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Event_68e2e9b0-ef8c-42a7-aa53-885dff4030b2---052-7c072e05.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 30, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Oregon Duck football game outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Between me and Jon Clements team on the other side of the stadium and the evangelism invasion guys that were there it could have been about 30,000 fans that encountered at least part of the gospel from the tracts and preaching.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To God be the glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Event_68e2e9b0-ef8c-42a7-aa53-885dff4030b2+-+052.jpg" length="803206" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Dec 2024 15:41:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-andy-schmelzer</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Event_68e2e9b0-ef8c-42a7-aa53-885dff4030b2+-+052.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Event_68e2e9b0-ef8c-42a7-aa53-885dff4030b2+-+052.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Tom Brewer</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-tom-brewer</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Tom Brewer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tiger Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/brewer_tom" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Tom+Brewer.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Tom's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jack Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was the last home game for the season and a non-SEC opponent, Western Kentucky University. We set up at the railroad tracks on Skip Bertman Drive. Jack led off on the mic by reading. I followed up with preaching from Exodus and Acts 7, John 3, Psalm 2, and a series of passages on justification by faith. A lot of tracts were passed out at the tracks. Lord willing we plan to be out there again next year.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Zoe White
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/zoewhite8?__cft__[0]=AZVP1TuMfJj3c2R8JjOn5Dw9iVl9Vp4f3lukMWMK-axGLu8EZUxvkQuzbB7gRSWw0_REqKsWMknO8ryMrqqsKm103JinDwzSAAGzT-M55TXeYg&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zoe White
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            proclaiming the gospel at LSU vs ARK
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jack Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/JClark4755?__cft__[0]=AZVRMZrga0ywN7YG7zLh3fdKxgQ8ISJg4ZWcrKcOKH0mVGnCVAwZ200Rcv6tqtv8RZjYKc619sxSG2oquWw1jRMMWl-ovVwCk7NZh01FouDbDT1Frj5WnxCqImUIiIA1e8rZbCMNn1mPDFU70bEO617IlDYIIO7Z4mQMscgmCTO12A&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jack Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            proclaiming truth at LSU vs aTm. Don’t try to redefine your sins; the Bible is God’s dictionary. Repent and believe the gospel. LSU vs aTm outreach.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Grady Bergeron and Jack Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/grady.bergeron?__cft__[0]=AZWrbIfaA0XD4_kfRlAHJnKAd4vC3HIhIGcjkQiwSPPfOZb-yzAkhF0f1EF62K0_NJentIokJ-_FKw7JTjozHUxKb_1mRg3BAKx8ZQ23yp5teKg7m7UvBgqBXshY2Fnm6VgRUAL-CMAO7aHXveIPPx7PjGwadFDgX-SWkmfX28IMhA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grady Bergeron
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            preaching @ LSU vs USC evangelism outreach.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/JClark4755?__cft__[0]=AZUNEmhh9-9L-mGwTXHu1vE3gGFhD3W_he8sStMqUpD0z6QJoOgQDKB1Me7btGBYTkyIcKkm4jJV5lddTIXqVd16kCfxFIwnUXG-t-mf9D0M0xvmi7iTBxdWsc5ORWeeeQQLEpQJgMO53g8T2uaNlYBt3yci1_eEKG65LB6CCdKs8g&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jack Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            proclaiming the Word of God @ LSU vs USC
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Zoe White and Jack Clark 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            LSU vs SLU Evangelism.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/zoewhite8?__cft__[0]=AZVGNhuz0D2iUoLIZUIeILx2sMAKL4ZYz3qSNFfj-hCPwNKK3Ho4-uINjC0lb0BN0zicxE6FbhjUgk69Igs1ijFis60-e6Sn5nDTah4AdV8FsA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zoe White
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/JClark4755?__cft__[0]=AZVGNhuz0D2iUoLIZUIeILx2sMAKL4ZYz3qSNFfj-hCPwNKK3Ho4-uINjC0lb0BN0zicxE6FbhjUgk69Igs1ijFis60-e6Sn5nDTah4AdV8FsA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jack Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            having a gospel conversation at the LSU vs SLU outreach. Another captive audience beginning to collect while Jack Clark reads the Word of God
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           LSU vs SLU outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Zoe White
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            LSU TIGERS vs Florida Gators outreach
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/zoewhite8?__cft__[0]=AZUEzsjajaJWMsps3d1X8p0yKvQtpsoah0kLM0A1ys4FKxWy_JvKcZ2jOSF2Y_zjC0zxwxbJADqW1_JuzFXspOzdhUg-Ds9B00ojmEZ7I4J7yN9r-ooac9_seUy14CAu2LNGamB7aSSdHw1O2ZbFfLGToza98V4mqMrCL_zs6EwZgQ&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zoe White
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            proclaiming the gospel
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jack Clark, Zoe White, Grady Bergerona and Jeffery Faulstich
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           LSU vs La Tech outreach began around 3:30 with great weather and a steady stream of fans walking to Tiger Stadium (aka Death Valley). Plenty of tracts were passed out. Zoe, Grady, Jeffery, and I all took a turn at the microphone to proclaim the good news.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 30, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            LSU vs OKLAHOMA EVANGELISM TODAY with
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/grady.bergeron?__cft__[0]=AZWyzl7xnVdzAz_k6k8TPlQ7le5I2wplqz9RLxkSHWMJ3okuALI1gEKlCF3uuUtNtxzH0Zi00g4jkZIkva7P4tEJBLehw8vz2VawngX9iVtdPqn5AL7SlRCHc6jhrFwpZlX1wko-eHhm4pJKT7R-HFg0kTyH74DAVJnTxSDAd_wC5a9oswv8HqQ1QGUoz3JpMvAF5Jx4e9WbMwd-NP4kNCKOboawrncK3yEM-ZYdgQbXzg&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grady Bergeron
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and Zoe White.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Tom-Brewer-November-30-LSU-vs-OK.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 12, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           LSU vs Ole Miss game day evangelism;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/JClark4755?__cft__[0]=AZU8FHznueh4zNwEInReJ5pkXq1jlX_Z3Ud6GcvFx3JGU1rmOwUIRyQZC3D9oqVLgrF0qt-Oa3EuXATfgssXw-O0SvUql7JP9z_nuUr0sK-0VNX8baOwtxnPI6DzDAnzvbDMtHugCLovhhXIFRoQNUPPXpFGHsRzccEafh-u0f7meQ&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jack Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            proclaiming the truth.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/462885336_10161787503388256_3301241414086872931_n-1287b973.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 28, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined:  Jack Clark, Todd Leger
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We followed a scheduled prayer meeting at Jack Clark's house before going to campus.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We arrived almost an hour early, so we spent about four hours proclaiming the gospel and passing out tracts on Skip Bertman Drive at the railroad crossing. Each one of us took a turn at the microphone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/LSU+vs+South+Alabama.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 7, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Zoe White, Grady Bergeron, Jack Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            A team of four evangelists met at the home of Zoe White, Director of Declaring Truth Ministries, for a time of prayer and praise in song before heading out to LSU.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Zoe, Grady Bergeron, Jack Clark, and I went to our usual spot at a railroad crossing on Skip Bertman Drive about a quarter mile from Death Valley (aka Tiger Stadium). We were able to employ two CUBE speakers on tripods, and we positioned them so that one Cube could be heard by fans coming from a parking area about a quarter mile away, and the other Cube positioned in the opposite direction so those same fans would continue to hear as they walked past us toward the stadium.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had large gospel signs, and we passed out over 500 tracts. Zoe, Grady, and I took turns on the microphone to proclaim the good news. Only a few brief encounters with fans were had, while Jack was able to have a lengthy gospel conversation with a young mother and her child.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           LSU EVANGELISM TODAY
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/458686104_10161689632638256_2083332701121344600_n-1c6566de.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/grady.bergeron?__cft__[0]=AZXJPJDi4v46gsE8QHM-_wYHFQdysPDCvMmGZRlxTmM5gXtgcvmv1yUtt17DlEEm4PqTizlh2KOd6Ou5h76LyyiKOfqgoljW8kyim95A96J6wA3sRrQgNFMsIjrKPuqqqhdlHMO95Q6xmbKxnTpa4n0V37H49G6B_bqU4pCMKBBrJg&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grady Bergeron
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            proclaiming truth at LSU
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Dec 16, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Tom Brewer and Grady Bergeron departed Denham Springs around 7:30. We were able to have a prayer call with Bill Adams on our way to New Orleans. We arrived early and were able to access a good spot next to the stadium entrance.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Each of us had a few gospel conversations with fans, mostly with professing Christians. The conferences represented were the Conference-USA and the Sun Belt Conference, so the crowds were not that large.We started by passing out tracts, and then Grady, using amplification, began preaching the glorious gospel message.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After Grady, I began preaching and during which time we were joined by Chris Obaugh and Jeffery Faulstich. Chris closed out the preaching time, and we left the area at 1:00pm. We were able to have a few more conversations with the local street vendors, and as is common in New Orleans they tend to profess a belief in Christ but without a real desire to follow Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As always our prayer is that God will be pleased to use our feeble efforts and give life to the hearers of the gospel and to those who took and read tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/tom.brewer.752?__cft__[0]=AZUibQAampmFF6Gj6P3F-l7wvmVpjFW1IOAaWVZ702FkmbqM5I3QPLN4o7BE-rGPI2Q4hxOh63Zszm28K10U5cC8BLeepdk_MWmdLTjvMg4-hFQj0Mf4PpGk1fUK6CchdnBNKgxIuMpOW74-woY-pbdIR1xpUt5CQ_ejP880nlKm6w&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tom Brewer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            bringing the word!!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Starting early evangelizing the "R&amp;amp;L New Orleans Bowl Game"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            At the R&amp;amp;L New Orleans Bowl
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Chris Obaugh,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jeffery.faulstich?__cft__[0]=AZUSdkSB7J6ggXwcQUqkiYHcVerGftH9drQ9hIrs-53oDr5_wuSuzL-PBwOCclhAWLbGMkyDK1eXU9DWPGATGtDgyG2cFGIY0A-DV78y4p2chhntzFX4p9A6zIQZ6rzqkkIqRdPSn4B_ndyw7FkXdCX6K2DZP0Fij4iDRb2uRAZPCGx_Pua791V1S77CTzp4O0w&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeffery Faulstich
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/grady.bergeron?__cft__[0]=AZUSdkSB7J6ggXwcQUqkiYHcVerGftH9drQ9hIrs-53oDr5_wuSuzL-PBwOCclhAWLbGMkyDK1eXU9DWPGATGtDgyG2cFGIY0A-DV78y4p2chhntzFX4p9A6zIQZ6rzqkkIqRdPSn4B_ndyw7FkXdCX6K2DZP0Fij4iDRb2uRAZPCGx_Pua791V1S77CTzp4O0w&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grady Bergeron
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Tom+Brewer.png" length="1283633" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 20:18:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-tom-brewer</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Tom+Brewer.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Tom+Brewer.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Rick Garland</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-rick-garland</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Rick Garland
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           LA Memorial Coliseum
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/garland_rick" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Rick+Garland-43120c18.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Rick's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, January 01, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Sean, Justin, Ronnie, Tatsuo, Shannon, Kim, Jason, Daniel, Chuck.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Massive crowds of probably 50,000 are waiting to load on buses for the game. We had 3 preaching stations and several walking thru the line out tracts
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jason, Kim, Leo, Tatsuo, Shannon, Caleb, Melissa
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was the hometown rivalry with UCLA. Crowds of over 100,000 heard the preaching. We had some good conversations, especially with a believer asking about why we do what we do. A few thousand tracts went out and the Gospel was heard by many more.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Tatsuo and Shannon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rained all day, but huge crowds still showed up and we had complete freedom to preach without interference.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Tatsuo, Nick, Jason, Kim
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord was gracious and many took tracts. Good conversations and freedom in our preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jason, Reuben, Nick, Shannon, Tatsuo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were preaching at the University of Southern California to huge crowds. The week before, we had a pastor rebuke us for open air preaching. This week, we had an amazing Divine appointment. A man named Nick took a tract, sat down nearby and read it, then approached us with questions. It's clear the Holy Spirit was at work in his heart. He struggled with drunkenness and the simplicity of faith in Christ. The amazing part is that when we arrived at the stadium, we realized we forgot our tracts. We got some tracts from another person from our church. They were different from the ones we brought. The tracts we had were "This Was Your Life" and "How Men Come to Christ." Both deal with the topics that Nick struggled with. Had we brought our tracts, he wouldn't have received those. God overruled our plans with forgetfulness because He knew what Nick needed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Great afternoon of Gospel preaching even in the midst of a heat wave. Pray that lost souls will find refuge in Christ.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVemmAf_4wvxQe2dw03rCiAFdD8GV5Z_u2JfEwsww6XqGOvcFOAb21o0IJFK-fOiFIpCL6sd5fFz4WnAJcVxOvJjdMUFg026NcQ9W3Omsc42WiSFeIDzhHhHXr3fsVCzEIwXwyqlkKln5xJTvPuWO587kpbv2YDetsozZzBaPHnmw&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 30, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord gave great crowds to hear the Gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Rick+garland+Nov+30+USC.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 16, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yesterday we had a group from our church in Mexico ministering to migrant camps. Today we will be sharing the Gospel to the 100,000 plus at the USC game. Pray for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           USC evangelism in SoCal
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXAh0YyfEMdhnLoSU2AQV1om5cONXDUXAAxmNk_0XyZVXLC4B6jlMOyxnhClXI3tVE6q7HnTPkLUecYxMMKdXkEWOzUCiHsgxOnEC4rslGsM9psWBHnY3Y3SOFhV3KHKLB1xHKImyf8bjGEpz8j46i0_NI_aHEG6CbrjUiS_AdDzA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/467426639_10226366820987903_9066374682999042899_n-d41b5ece.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 12, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for our evangelism efforts at the USC game this morning from 930-1230. We have 5 from our church going out today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are playing hymns while passing out tracts and a police officer walks over and asks if we can turn the speaker louder. That was a first.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZU7liK8r55hun-9g-L_worClS4QXdDgggfsg9Zxdj6tJzmj_YQvIl6pm0Z51NNSKiEY1SqMKUhsiZtNSVbOjiV6THaA1cy_oyFdp-HTplg2vMSsLg-wKihCt1sXKJlJ1tRcEAU6Puxt_3mNnf0r7qWI&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fantastic day sharing the Gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXvzpDEjOGQOQb1mFTZd3nQ8jhRdHoEZu3MlgcNqgcHHt5EM73wBO1HnM5R3to98M3f_fUZv7Jbo4GUnudgy2_-eGoSJl7GHSdrDotaEGTe7AMpOKJGRNN2v1u-W8LMnOUGd95eMA2jYNsAWhwJB_5zrHaFRPrzX4GI2joU7KpbQA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 28, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 7, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Nov 18, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Amy and Ruben giving tracts to USC fans
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWi2WfUsHWtcSpPQh0b5nyrXvldxVdw2fiHXFz9uGJD33g0ErE9iUb2sxxC8yzmmLF6Pdt-JV-k6fNK9sonts2ga87OlxGIJEM0k3qV6I6hUeKSYhuPA47QOstiTiOGXJI41NkW4sKfAoZfyUHcl9RwQDl5ejNtiCNyptuA6cJ2BQ&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you for the prayers. Our team of 11 from 3 different churches preached to thousands and gave out hundreds of tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry sharing the Gospel from the Scriptures
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Rick+Garland-43120c18.png" length="2050117" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 18:40:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-rick-garland</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Rick+Garland+2.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Rick+Garland-43120c18.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Richard Walker</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-richard-walker</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Richard Walker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Memorial Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Shylo's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/walker_richard" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Richard+Walker.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Richard's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Sharon Walker, Nigel and Krystal Harris, Joshua (Last name unk), Jaime Watts, Brady Brewer, Eric Coles
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great outreach with three Gospel presentations, much preaching and dozens of tracts passed out.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Sharon Walker, Brady Brewer, Nigel Harris, Krystal Harris, Eric Coles
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great interaction with hundreds of fans (maybe thousands)! Dozens of Bible tracts were passed out.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Nigel Harris, Eric Coles, Sharon Walker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Excellent crowds! I preached Philippians 2:9-11, and Nigel preached topically on Salvation. Dozens of Bible tracts were passed out, a handful of gospel conversations took place.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Sharon Walker, Nigel Harris, Krystal Harris, Eric Coles
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Led a great team, lots of interaction and conversations with the crowds, and dozens of Bible tracts were passed out. Some in the crowd were familiar from the last home game; it was great to chat with them and continue the relationship.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Eric Coles, Kaylee Harris, Sharon Walker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I preached and my crew passed out Bible tracts for 2.5 hours. Tens of thousands of people, hundreds of tracts distributed, dozens of gospel conversations initiated.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 23, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Alabama/Oklahoma
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            Raucous crowd.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            I arrived at 4:15pm and preached until 6:30pm (kickoff).
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Multiple interactions, most were not interested in hearing the gospel. However, there were some positive interactions and many tracts were passed out. I preached on Isaiah 6:9-10, Daniel 3:1-7, among other passages.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Thousands heard Christ preached.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 2, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelists who joined:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Richard Walker.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            It was just me today. I arrived at Gaylord Family/OU Memorial Stadium at 0900 and started preaching. I went live outside Campus Corner for a time and attempted to go live at the stadium, but the signal was blocked. I preached Matthew 4:1-2, Exodus 16:2-20, Habakuk 2:4, Genesis 7:7-16, and Daniel 3:1-7.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            Crowd interaction was decent, I had not been preaching for 5 minutes and two strangers came up and put their hands on me, and started praying! This was much welcome!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Most people were open to the Word, one man tried to get me into a discussion on contrails, but I was not there for that. There were a couple of young mockers, but that was about it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            I preached for two hours and left at kickoff, 11:00am.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch the short video from Richard on Facebook:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/100001349488513/videos/1601274607182144/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Video
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 14, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelists who joined:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Richard Walker, Shylo Galvan, Clint Sloan
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The three of us met up at Campus Corner around 1200-1215 and proceeded to Gaylord Stadium. Shylo and I preached until about 14:45-14:555 pm (1430 CST kickoff).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 7, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Campus Corner, game night 7 Sep 24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Richard+Walker.png" length="1213308" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 Nov 2024 15:54:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-richard-walker</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Richard+Walker.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Richard+Walker.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - David Day</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-david-day</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: David Day
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Auburn University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/day_david" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on David's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord is kind. He saves us that we might bring Him glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXLGHb6yVlZKInE5nx2fRAd8jvZX_M8FdYeZhm3GifjSQSl2VWYh3cQPakqG1mu5WRrl3-Z6G5qIUDl4WrrgoS3TlhdCIsl6gDPAN8ShM1Cr6AAVOQJTp0YVqc_TT4NcM5T59E8DpJnNjohftMwZrdWnCWvg5rMva5NnrK0lL1rr-b82qYIf7PuwhrBiOI7iag&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #Sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/jesusislord?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXLGHb6yVlZKInE5nx2fRAd8jvZX_M8FdYeZhm3GifjSQSl2VWYh3cQPakqG1mu5WRrl3-Z6G5qIUDl4WrrgoS3TlhdCIsl6gDPAN8ShM1Cr6AAVOQJTp0YVqc_TT4NcM5T59E8DpJnNjohftMwZrdWnCWvg5rMva5NnrK0lL1rr-b82qYIf7PuwhrBiOI7iag&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #JesusIsLord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord is kind. Today, He showed His faithfulness again by raising up another laborer from our own local congregation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kendall came with us to Auburn, and by God’s grace, he lifted his voice in the open air for the very first time. His two young sons stood beside hi,m passing out gospel tracts with joy, smiling at every soul who passed, and one of them even reading the Scriptures aloud with childlike boldness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a glimpse of God’s mercy, a reminder that He is still calling workers into His harvest.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amazed, truly amazed at the Lord’s kindness to all of us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXLGHb6yVlZKInE5nx2fRAd8jvZX_M8FdYeZhm3GifjSQSl2VWYh3cQPakqG1mu5WRrl3-Z6G5qIUDl4WrrgoS3TlhdCIsl6gDPAN8ShM1Cr6AAVOQJTp0YVqc_TT4NcM5T59E8DpJnNjohftMwZrdWnCWvg5rMva5NnrK0lL1rr-b82qYIf7PuwhrBiOI7iag&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #Sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/jesusislord?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXLGHb6yVlZKInE5nx2fRAd8jvZX_M8FdYeZhm3GifjSQSl2VWYh3cQPakqG1mu5WRrl3-Z6G5qIUDl4WrrgoS3TlhdCIsl6gDPAN8ShM1Cr6AAVOQJTp0YVqc_TT4NcM5T59E8DpJnNjohftMwZrdWnCWvg5rMva5NnrK0lL1rr-b82qYIf7PuwhrBiOI7iag&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #JesusIsLord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Two new laborers from my local church, Morningview Baptist, joined us today. The Lord is kind, raises up laborers.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUxlG9cc1g4Thhlh9WFbjpffH_mnNgSRPpb7_hMs2MuPQiWOH0nzbXt443retAahoHyEKnrM_Kt0_Cxe3D1P1PqIY7bsYwl3MI0pDyh7cTqj_-r7bK6oHym-dnBKfJnxrMovjKqtiKkmC8OxkOTEfLL0HQiwq-04bewegbTFJZ_I9xaXU23Mggc-NRdo7qLueY&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #Sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Bill Scott, Scott Roney, Blake Cochren, and his daughter
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "This is Auburn game day, there are other things than this."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for the Lord to grant life and destroy idols today. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWjHlqfI9_5wu1cl1P2s4lnn-cg0DU4Y7VeBZVlV3I1VvjkqXQ5UVq4D3XzbTFLFpJQf3bwoWVZOla835t6HCILR39ao8r3N95-UDTMxAkxLD_p9S7boMSSxLk0z2diaFyJD3rHBPTjiXDdX-BFcqJgN4qyLeuweUraHFhN4jxtUfgj3PgikLzjp_Vnotu7SvU&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is a surety to be found, an absolute, that the sun will give you warmth, if you do not eat, you will starve, if you, your children, your best friend to your worst enemy die without Christ, will most certainly perish in hell. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord is kind and many tracts were given out, conversations about the Lord, and many heard through the public proclamation of it. Amen, the Lord has saved us to tell us His marvelous deeds
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day+-+SFOI1000-1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Nov. 23, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord filled Auburn with the preaching of the Word and the praising of His name.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWjHlqfI9_5wu1cl1P2s4lnn-cg0DU4Y7VeBZVlV3I1VvjkqXQ5UVq4D3XzbTFLFpJQf3bwoWVZOla835t6HCILR39ao8r3N95-UDTMxAkxLD_p9S7boMSSxLk0z2diaFyJD3rHBPTjiXDdX-BFcqJgN4qyLeuweUraHFhN4jxtUfgj3PgikLzjp_Vnotu7SvU&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/467978810_10169625536195204_8210928128317779721_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Nov 16, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today has proven to be one of the most remarkable times I have experienced in Auburn while witnessing. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            A young man approached me and asked me about my favorite verse to sum up the Gospel. I told him Romans 5:6-8. I shared how it amazes me the Lord would love ungodly people, yet He as, for He has loved me.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            As I went out today, I prayed for more of those conversations where all I had to do was talk about who Christ is and what He had done. The Lord answered my prayers.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From a lady hearing and coming over to talk, confess the sin she struggled with, and listen to the Gospel.  It was so good to worship the Lord.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Later a husband who had an argument with his wife walked up and received some marriage counseling..."You need to love your wife as Christ has loved the church."
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Even had a Hindu stop and talk.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Lastly,  a young kid parked and listened for about 10 min and confessed sin, how unloving he has been. We talked about hating sin, loving Christ more than anything, honoring parents, being respectful, being pure and making no provision for the flesh, but depending on the Lord to help you do it all. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            He asked some good questions, has some good concern.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord is gracious!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            My prayer was answered.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After our time at Toomer's Corner, a day filled with preaching, passing out tracts, some conversations, a dear brother graciously invited us to his home, where his wife had prepared a delightful lunch. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We gathered together, we prayed, we laughed, and we exchanged accounts of missionaries. He was much older than us and gifted us with those stories told by an old man who has walked with the Lord longer than some of us have been alive.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One joy when he took us out to his barn, showed us these two where he goes to pray. "One chair is mine, the other belongs to Jesus."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was true fellowship, the kind that nourishes the soul, reminding us of the richness of our shared life in Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Pray for open doors to preach the Gospel and you will be praying the will of God.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/gospelpreachingbringsgospelconversations?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXlSUKXMV9f-s1mwuHpgU3eWKvsHvS_WFynZpJdzYCRW4nhceInKG_DK3yKPKXk_IAaKjDkAaR3NUgMEyhjFja0F4xP4Wje3tSI5q6f6FRZRi_sPFnqgWHsYyHF7YYZHLcDZuYtDA4ysOd7L1xCkjUPt7IeXXU44MQw_3i3fkSPz2WxDGW5rxlok5kfSWsKyl4&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #Gospelpreachingbringsgospelconversations
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: August 31, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord is kind in all His ways. Many listened, some took tracts while a few scoffed. Some were gracious believers—but many are still lost. A pastor and his wife heard the preaching, came over, and kindly bought me a drink and encouraged me in the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Earlier, I had a conversation with two men who were supporting homosexuality and abortion. One of them laughed while twisting the Word of God. It was then that the Lord sent Hunter and Dalton, who were curious about the abortion sign. I joined their conversation, which led to sharing the Law and the Gospel, and even the two men who initially scoffed sat and listened. This was God’s kindness to all of them—to hear about the greatest demonstration of love the world has ever known: the Cross of Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for Hunter and Dalton, and especially for the two men who support abortion, as they are here every game and have heard the truth numerous times. May the Lord wake them from their slumber.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise the Lord! Go out, share the Gospel, and have great conversations, telling others of all the Lord has done. The fields are ripe for harvest, and God is faithful to use every moment for His glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Dec 23, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            One of the joys you experience from being consistent is seeing and meeting the same people over and over. And in ministry, this helps grow fellowship and trust with law enforcement and those who work the games.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today I had a friend who is in charge at the events around town, who sees me all the time, every year. He approached me today smiling, asking if I was keeping every straight and went to ask me to pray for his ailing wife. We prayed on the spot for her. What a testimony of what the Lord does, isn't He kind?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Go and own your city, claim it through the preaching of the Cross for Christ. Be your cities John the Baptist, be its Paul, its Whitfield.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Own it, preach Jesus to the city. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXJ1Uw3PVWRTNsY_Gcsp6zM9jHMLIlEuCIXVXASqQuO39qK-FI5VrVtT5aHT2gXehZZ3lTm_bwORPBaHlFx7IGp5R1GkmEcIVMwgLtvqklQwsnBfKk-6TH5RJYNYhxhKCkTdIrHXjwSlQsR8OZ-6nfPB8HK2KN0lTD9llLMOee2mcRnAE9i3pink7RlmTMqtfI&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/camelliabowl2023?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXJ1Uw3PVWRTNsY_Gcsp6zM9jHMLIlEuCIXVXASqQuO39qK-FI5VrVtT5aHT2gXehZZ3lTm_bwORPBaHlFx7IGp5R1GkmEcIVMwgLtvqklQwsnBfKk-6TH5RJYNYhxhKCkTdIrHXjwSlQsR8OZ-6nfPB8HK2KN0lTD9llLMOee2mcRnAE9i3pink7RlmTMqtfI&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #CamelliaBowl2023
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Nov 25, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When people come up to me, and they did, interrupting the preaching to make sure that I knew football is not a sin, I agree, football is not a sin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Surrounding the game, the festivities, sin manifest itself...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A response to the preaching today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Oct 21, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The crowds in Auburn this season have been great and many have heard the Gospel.  It is great to be encouraged by Bill Adams and Alex Bert with Sports Fan Outreach to go and preach outside the ball games.  Men and women all across the country are at games every Saturday preaching!  If you watched the game on Saturday, many of those in the stands heard the Word before going in!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amazing that the Lord gives us opportunities to worship Him, to worship Him! Evangelism is Worship! We all know we should gather with the saints, we should pray, but oh friends, to worship Him through telling others who He is and what He has done alongside fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, it is revival in our souls!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Think of all the people who even today may be mindful of the Lord from hearing some street preacher or someone sharing with them at the job, school, etc.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Go and Tell others, worship Him!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Sep 02, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I have not loved God with all my heart, none of us have. But God through Jesus Christ saves us, saves sinners. He does not save those who have loved Him, He saves those whom He loves. John 3:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a Gospel to preach, not knowing who it is becoming the Power of God to, but knowing the same Gospel Paul preached, Steven preached, the same faith Abraham believed in is the same faith and Gospel that saved me. Praise the Lord!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day.png" length="1401297" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 25 Nov 2024 18:07:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-david-day</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Nick O'Berry</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-nick-o-berry</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Nick O'Berry
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Williams-Brice Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/oberry_nick" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Nic+O-Berry.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Nick's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jamie Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           South Carolina's last game of the season did not disappoint. Thousands of fans showed up, and the crowd was a little more raucous. More of everybody were there-- families, young people, college students. But with two of us out there, we were able to cover more ground and more time. Praise God for a great season of proclaiming the gospel at Williams-Brice Stadium this year.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Ken White
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday was a gorgeous day to be outside preaching the Gospel. Brother Ken White was with me. South Carolina fans did not disappoint. They showed up by the thousands, and they heard the gospel. One who stopped to listen said he had a better understanding of the atonement. He seemed to be someone God is dealing with, maybe on the cusp of belief. Another stopped to listen and to give encouragement, as he was a believer. Ken preached and ministered to a group of young men who were professing believers but still walked in their sin. Our prayer is that God will use these encounters to work faith and salvation into their lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Mike Andrews and his future son-in-law, Alex
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another beautiful early fall South Carolina day filled Williams-Brice Stadium once again. SC fans always show up. Mike and I preached simultaneously about 50 yards apart. There was also another preacher, Spencer, down from us a little ways. So the whole area was saturated with the Gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Something is definitely happening. The response of the people at the games this year has been remarkable. I was able to engage in several one-on-ones while I was preaching. People stopped to listen. They wanted to hear what I was saying. I have been praying for this, that God would just invade this nation with the gospel. He is working, and it is evident. Keep preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           South Carolina didn't disappoint with regard to attendance. Many fans showed up as expected. I was glad to see Anchor Baptist Church was out once again, passing out tracts. The atmosphere felt a little different as I believe recent events sobered people a little. The assassination of Charlie Kirk has been a game changer of sorts. I pray God will use this time to raise up more and more workers for the harvest.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           E
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          vangelist w
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ho
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          joined
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : Jaimie Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          South Carolina was packed for their first home game. Jaimie Clark was able to join me, and the crowds responded positively and negatively. But people were hearing God's word, and it did not come back void, as He promised.
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 23, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           South Carolina played its last home game of the season this past Saturday, November 23. As usual the fans were out in droves. The interesting thing about Saturday was you could feel that it was the last home game. Two people actually approached me and said goodbye. One I expected. But the other came out of the blue.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first who approached me was Mr. Green, the parking lot attendant. He wanted me to pray with him one last time. I told him I hoped to see him next season. He said he couldn't be sure, but that he hoped the same. I will continue to pray for him even though I don't know if I will ever see him again. Please do the same.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The second was a fan I had never directly spoken to. She came up to me while I was preaching and told me she always looked forward to hearing my voice on game day and thanked me for being there. That's the first time I ever talked to her. But, unbeknownst to me, she was listening all season.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I recount these two experiences because it shows God is using the preaching of His word, even when we may not realize it. We truly do not always know how the preaching of His word is having an impact in someone's life, someone we barely know or someone we don't know at all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So take heart, brothers. Keep preaching. God's word always accomplishes everything He means it to.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 16, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Ken White
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yesterday in Columbia, SC, was a beautiful day to preach a beautiful gospel. It truly was a gift. It was one of those days when the preaching just flowed. And people listened intently as they waited to cross into the stadium.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            I was also able once again to minister to Mr. Green, the parking attendant who always saves a spot for me. He needed prayer desperately. He didn't give me details, but I could tell it was serious. I was able to pray for him. Be in prayer for him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           South Carolina has one more home game next week. Keep those fans in your prayers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 5, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            South Carolina's game Saturday against Ole Miss was much anticipated in Columbia. There was much hope among the fans that the Gamecocks would pull an upset. So, they were excited and loud.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            That got me thinking as I preached how Man tries in so many ways to find excitement and satisfaction outside of Jesus Christ. We'll fire ourselves up over so many fleeting and, ultimately, unfulfilling idols. And these things never satisfy. The fans were let down that day. But don't blame the Gamecocks. They could never satisfy their fans the way Jesus can. Nothing and no one can.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The irony hit me. There I was almost drowned out by the noise of so much excitement about something that passes almost as quickly as it arrives. The message they really needed they could barely hear. I'm not maudlin about this. The Gospel goes out, and it never comes back void.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            I know people heard me because God can overcome any amount of noise. But I also know many people turned their back on true joy, lasting joy. For some it may have been their last opportunity. For others it may have been the next link in God's chain that draws them to Himself. Either way, blessed be the name of the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 21, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            It was family day the South Carolina game. Moms and Dads come and visit their children who attend the university and go to the game. There were bands playing and lawn games and a lot food. So that attracts many people.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The crowd Saturday was very receptive to the preaching. But what stood out to me were the ticket guys. They get used to you being there and seem to love to hear the preaching. I have had several conversations with these men.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Sometimes they ask for prayer, that sort of thing. Once you become part of gameday, people expect you to be there. It seems that makes them more willing to talk and listen to you. As always, great day.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/20240921_.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 14, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            "The crowds for the South Carolina game were considerable on Saturday. There was a lot of hype around the LSU game. Plus, College Gameday was there. So, getting to my usual preaching spot took a little longer than usual. But I made it and was able to preach up until kick-off. Bigger crowds means more people heard the gospel.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise God for that. Continue to pray for the South Carolina fans. Also, pray that the preaching of the gospel at these games would be an encouragement to other Christians who walk by.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The parking lot attendant asked me to pray with him before I headed out. Again, that is an ongoing witnessing opportunity. Continue to pray for that man. His name is Mr. Green."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: August 31, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Ken White joined me to preach the gospel at the South Carolina home game on Saturday, August 31, 2024. As expected there were plenty of souls to preach and talk to. Some in the crowd were very encouraging. What impressed me was that most of the encouragers were young people, college age. Those that stopped to talk to me were very eager to hear the gospel being proclaimed publicly. Many in the crowds listened. You can always tell by their posture and the thoughtful look on their faces that they are processing what you are saying. Ken was able to engage in several one-to-one conversations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was also reminded that the outreach doesn't end when I leave the preaching site. When I got back to my truck I got into a conversation with the parking lot attendant who remembered me from past seasons. When he found out what I do he actually asked me to tell him what the gospel is. That will be an ongoing conversation as the season progresses because I told him to expect me each home game and to expect me in his lot. Praise God for unlooked for opportunities."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Nic+O-Berry.png" length="943117" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 25 Nov 2024 17:02:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-nick-o-berry</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Nic+O-Berry.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Nic+O-Berry.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - John Dawson</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-john-dawson</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: John Dawson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Liberty Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/dawson_john" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Dawson+1.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on John's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Trying to build an outreach team. Chuck Dalton joined me and had 3 spiritual conversations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 04, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today was the University of Memphis vs Arkansas Football Game. Proclaimed the word of The Lord from Mark 7:31-37, The Miracle of Hearing: Reawakening Our Spiritual Senses. Mike &amp;amp; Jenna Fergus had many conversations while I preached. Kobe, a Gen Z student who attends Bellevue Baptist Church, Dr Adrian Rogers' former church, walked up, thanked me and asked if he could pray over me. I said yes. I wish you could have heard Kobe's prayer as well as the look on passersby faces. They have moved the Pre Game Band Concert to the area that I preached at the first game. We moved to the other side of the street, being Faithful  Witnesses to the calling of proclaiming The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many heard the word, praying the Lord will open their ears, eyes, mind, souls while giving them understanding and calling them to Himself. That I will be faithful for each home game to proclaim His Gospel. Many came by thanking us for being there. Need more prayer warriors, those willing to have gospel conversations as people pass by &amp;amp; for others who would be willing to proclaim the word during pregame activities.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: John Dawson, Mike &amp;amp; Jenna Fergus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yesterday was University of Memphis Football first Home Game. Proclaimed the word of The Lord from Isaiah 52:13-53:12, The Exalted &amp;amp; Suffering Servant. Gave 1 Bible away to Caleb a Middle School Student to give to his friend Major, who is not a Christ Follower or Believer. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I had Mike &amp;amp; Jenna Fergus, a couple from my church, with me today and Jenna was able to give prayer cards to a lady and they switched phone numbers to talk more. The Lady came up asking me when I was going to start singing Charlie Daniels songs. Which lead me to ask her about his song The Devil went Down to Georgia looking for a Soul to Steal. I asked her was her soul with the Devil or with The Lord Jesus Christ. Many heard the word, praying the Lord will give them understanding and I will be faithful for each home game to proclaim His Gospel. Many came by thanking us for being out on Tiger Lane. Need more prayer warriors, those willing to have gospel conversations as people pass &amp;amp; for others who would be willing to proclaim the word along with me during pregame activities.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 16, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 26, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Memphis
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 19, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          North Texas
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 28, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Middle Tenn
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Date:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           September 7, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "The Lord Blessed the Outreach with perfect weather. Crowd was lower than opening week but that was to be expected with an early start. I was able to continue preaching from the Gospel of Mark.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray Requests
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex - Middle School Student who is a Christ Follower. I challenged him today to take a Gideons New Testament to start a Bible Reading Program with one of his Non Christ Follower Friends.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Rob - He Thanked Me for Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Which in turned he was able to share The Savior with those in his Tailgate Party who were asking why someone would be preaching at a Tailgate Event prior to the football game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Knox - Freshman in High School returned this week and was able to talk with him and to encourage him in his Walk &amp;amp; Faithfulness in The Lord."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: August 31, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "I was by myself Saturday and did not take photos. I went live twice on y Facebook page. I had a Good Gospel Conversation with Five High School Freshman. 4 received New Testaments with Psalms, Proverbs &amp;amp; Genesis. Praying they will take time to read &amp;amp; meditate on God's Word &amp;amp; He will reveal Himself to them and that they will repent &amp;amp; cry out for His Salvation. Hope they will come &amp;amp; see me Saturday morning from 9:00-11:00 CST"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Nov 18, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is also such a wonderful feeling knowing you are representing Christ as His Ambassadors and to shine His Gospel Light to the masses of sports fans. This Saturday promises to be a grand occasion and an opportunity to share His word and strengthen your very own faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Dawson+1.png" length="1695323" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 21 Nov 2024 18:42:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-john-dawson</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Dawson+1.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Dawson+1.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Grey Cup Ministry - Andy Schmelzer</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/grey-cup-ministry-andy-schmelzer</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grey Cup Ministry - Andy Schmelzer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Event_68e2e9b0-ef8c-42a7-aa53-885dff4030b2---052-7c072e05.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Nov. 14th - 111th Gray Cup ministry.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXdrPx8qkvNsSdYiD2kp52LZXJC8aJSAJKsZAZJXHnXAhH4bUEkYFL3hLDwPS4KKSpg-HjRpi3tBXlUe1hiTtSqdg8DYgwmSM1pkssfac_YLh4-9KPb7-uNMNnZzNnUO_6tldbt4iR56s7SOcEF916SyZuWCGnERwh3AaECr-Q4qA0yTxDeOtgDP9ul2z-pz-17xil4G0CS7QXxGjRfffnA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/466413669_10230731848614008_1049402907995651813_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Brother Gerry
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           preaching at a sidewalk.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUgIP0WScPIz-pCQht3A4DXRm_54-cGTIbnLrnfL6cTtuR58H-LruxHtPB6Fhd9RPSQ2SGbMUhJwLIq31Le_JeJm8EDaQrSxJR36DzV8ezyL_G9O6Do1rpvn85R2uXwYjbMJ9NKxCp6umJ0qfVCehhSxgd1HykUPxuDiX4GpUcEekAJdyw3pEDCTICUi5Wvb-bKVsYmB5bX4D7FF9ewu_4o&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Gray Cup Vancouver BC. Good first day of preaching the gospel, giving out tracts, and great conversations.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Event_68e2e9b0-ef8c-42a7-aa53-885dff4030b2+-+052.jpg" length="803206" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 21 Nov 2024 17:17:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/grey-cup-ministry-andy-schmelzer</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Event_68e2e9b0-ef8c-42a7-aa53-885dff4030b2+-+052.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Event_68e2e9b0-ef8c-42a7-aa53-885dff4030b2+-+052.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Steven Kendall</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-steven-kendall-1</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Steven Kendall
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ross-Ade Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/kendall_steven" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Steven+Kendall.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Steven's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, December 06, 2025 - Big 10 Championship outreach in Indianapolis Indiana
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Big 10 championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis between #1 Ohio State University and #2 IU
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Friday, November 28, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many IU fans are at Purdue. Had a handful of conversations with believers and was encouraged by them and they thanked me for being out there. Pass out tracts for an hour and played worship music while trying to engage with people. Then preached for an hour and had a couple come up to me to ask many questions. They stop and listen for ten minutes or so. Holy Spirit was working on the young gentleman.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 08, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Want to share the blessing I received with you today. Everett preach today at Purdue for the first time ever. I was in the middle of preaching and I was in one of those modes I could have preach for 8 hours straight. Everett looked at me and ask me can I preach. I quickly wrapped my thought up and turn it over to him. I prayed over him and God Holy Spirit worked through him mightily. He started off reading Romans 1 but then continued through much of Romans. He then started giving the sense of the scripture to the people passing bye, he brought questions, he brought applications, he brought the gospel, he exhort people to respond and brought a conclusion. I was amazed. But why? The same Holy Spirit that works in all of us is the same working in him as well. So I should not of been surprised. You would have thought he been in a class on hermeneutics and homiletics. I been pouring into him over the last year and praying with him. I don’t know if I can say I have truly discipled him in anyway but I have invested time into him, model out the Christian life before him and he is growing tremendously. He is connected with brothers in Christ at Purdue and it is showing. He preach over a hour today and many people responding to the preaching, whether positively or negatively. People were hearing and it had an effect. What a blessing. When he first started a man stopped instantly and listened at least for 20 minutes. He was a believer. His name was David. He said he couldn’t help but to stop what he was doing and listen. It was powerful. The Holy Spirit was speaking through Everett. What a blessing today.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Everett preaching for his very first time anywhere
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Heath Pucel, Everett Gewax, a junior at Purdue, Everett's friend, Riley Noggle from Purdue and Allan Earl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Photo below:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Scott, who attended Purdue 40 years ago, wanted to thank us for preaching the gospel at the Purdue campus. We prayed for his mother, Bunny, who is 102 years old and doesn’t understand grace. Pray God would be gracious and open her mind to understand the gospel that she might respond. 2 police officers were harassing us again, asking us to now leave from where we were told to go by Purdue. SFOI attorney Peter has finally been able to send an official email out to Purdue who is in violation of the Constitution.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Photos below:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Everett a junior at Purdue who heard me preach at last year Purdue Notre Dame game has joined me ever since. He loves to hold up signs with different thought provoking questions and have gospel conversations with people. Pray for the continual growth of our dear brother Everett. The man who Everett was witnessing to in grey shirt was Everett roommate from freshman year.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Photos below:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Noah with Heath. A brother in Christ who was encouraged. Pray that Noah might join us in the future IU games as well as others
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Photos of Purdue outreach below:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Everett Gewax
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the Purdue football game today, Everett was holding up signs, drawing people into dialogue with questions on what is good and does objective reality exists. God's word continues to be preached. We trust that it will not return back void. Continue prayers for more laborers for the harvest as God opens the hearts, eyes and scriptures to the people.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Everett Gewax. Riley and Tim
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Riley, Everett and Tim join me this week at Purdue University to preach and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. All the fans flowed in for 2 hours, unable to enter due to a supercell storm approaching. Then by God's grace they all came past us again for another straight 2 hours while lightning and rain poured on us all. Though we got soaked, many heard the gospel and many questions were asked and answered, including how, as Christians and non-Christians, do we respond to what took place this week with Charlie Kirk and his assassinator, Tyler Robinson. Everett is handing out tracts.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Everett Gewax
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Begin preaching at the student entrance of the football stadium and was illegally kicked out again like last year. Preach maybe for 20 minutes or so and was told if I continue, I would be issued a citation and arrested. I moved multiple blocks away and preach at 2 different locations. Everett forgot to take pictures of me preaching at each location. He had some interactions with the crowd and students, but nothing of any significance.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 16, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Purdue University home game
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The Purdue team (Elijah, Alan , Steve in background) Not pictured Pastor Matt and Everett. Many gospel conversations and many tracts handed out. Also mocking and scoffers and spiritual warfare- even so- the gospel was preached.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            10s of thousands of people heard.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            God even provided a man of peace - Christians- who provided parking. We were able to talk to this Christian couple and encourage him and his wife  even as they encouraged us.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you God for my team- free parking- and ears to hear!!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 28, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Everett
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Preach and handed out tracts. No gospel conversation but a paramedic sat on the back bumper of the ambulance and listen to me preach for almost 2 hours and thank me for preaching God Word.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Everett who listen to me preach two weeks ago when Purdue played Notre Dame asked my wife Mary how he could do what we were doing. Mary gave Everett my phone number and he called me two days later. This was his first time in the public handing out gospel tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG-20241003-WA0000-e8d5be3e.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Above:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “This is Everett who join me today and who I am going to join on campus in apologetic. He listen to me preach two weeks ago before I got kicked out by the police. He was very fearful today but felt better by the end. He froze on the rejection of people receiving gospel tracts from him. He is only a year in his profession of faith. Keep praying for him as his heart is to tell people about Jesus. He went to a Christian school as an atheist. Than begin to really look at the evidence of Christ and came to the decision by faith Jesus is God after his senior year in high school.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: August 31, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The brother who was going to evangelize with me wife had their child born prematurely a couple weeks ago with health complications and is not able to join me at this time. The members of his church ( Purdue students has back out also afraid they may offend Purdue university officials by open air preaching because they got an open platform on campus for debate). So I was by myself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            It went well for being by myself but not without God as I handed out gospel tracts the first hour and preach about a hour and a half. I had no trouble with law enforcement or school officials. Had a couple God moments with getting parking which is not convenient at Purdue. The police was near me at all times as I evangelized.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             As for pictures I really don't have any significant ones. While the crowds picked up I preach and when it was slow I handed out maybe 100 gospel tracts and had a couple conversations with believers. So an uneventful report but I know God was working on the paramedic who was parked in front of me most of the time. God put her on my heart and I was unable to leave my spot to go talk to her. Then after handing out tracts for 30 minutes or so she came walking straight towards me and asked for a tract. I gave her a tract and she went back doing her job. Later I seen her reading the gospel tract and when I was preaching she was listening but I never got an opportunity to talk to her.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Also at the end of my preaching right at the start of the game a deacon of the Catholic church was reading that morning in Jeremiah, I think he was alluding to chapter 7 but not sure because he said the prophet was standing outside the gates of the temple and proclaimed the Word of the Lord. So he concluded what I was doing as biblical and thank me. He then left to go to the game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Steven+Kendall.png" length="1370128" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 21 Nov 2024 16:15:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-steven-kendall-1</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Steven+Kendall.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Steven+Kendall.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Matthew Cochran</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-matthew-cochran</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Matthew Cochran
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Arcisure Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/cochran_matthew" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+Matthew+Cochran+-25.001.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Matthew's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, January 01, 2026
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: Timothy Cochran
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another cold day, but we handed out a few tracks to people. And we also met another ministry on the street called mobile mission. The gospel of Luke was preached from.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, December 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Kevin and Marco
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was the coldest day of outreach all season for a Steeler game yet, for the first time, I had two other evangelists join me, and we probably handed out about 80 gospel tracks maybe less, but we were able to preach from Colossians chapter 1, John chapter 3, and Luke 15. We had a few interactions. It was a good day of ministry despite the cold.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, November 16, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preached from 1 cor 15 and Luke 15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Read mostly from Romans and expounded a little on the text, Romans chapter 1-8, had a few people clearly stop to listen to the preaching. One went up to me and told me Jesus is King.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, October 12, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preached from Jonah and the book of Luke, had people stop nearby and listen a little. Praise God that many heard the word of God proclaimed on the streets.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was hoping a few others would join me, but ended up being just me on the streets for the Steeler game. I opened the season by reading from Proverbs, chapter 1, and then, after reading and preaching a little from that, I went on to John, chapter 5. Had a few people respond positively with God bless you. Other than that, no interactions was a peaceful day. Praise God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 17, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preached from Matthew about loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Had no interactions from crowd.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 20, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preach from John 3:16 Luke 18, James 4, and Galatians
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Had someone challenge me and ask me to leave preaching spot. I told him I've been coming to the games regularly and wasn't moving and told him I would leave later. Guy was upset claiming I wasn't helping people and was being too loud. I tend to be a soft hearted but grateful I held my ground.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Three Atheists approached one wanted to know if I was preaching from original book. Question was asked what he meant by original book. He then said I don't know. Other Atheist said I'm gay and I then told him that God loves him. He responded with no he doesn't. I said to him why not. All three walked away after that.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 6, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Same location but this time in the evening. Preaching from Joel 2 and parable in Luke about Prayer of pharisees and tax collector.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When about to preach from Luke someone asked about what the word was. Got to briefly share about Luke before they walked away. No problems from crowd. Everyone either listened or kept walking.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 23, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Corner of w general Robinson St and Tony Dorsett drive. Preached from Psalms 118, Psalms 130 and Psalms 32.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hundreds of thousands of fans. There were even Charger fans. Interaction from one professing believer. He seemed positive and encouraged when sharing what I was preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Matthew+Cochran.png" length="1391702" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 21 Nov 2024 15:22:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-matthew-cochran</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Matthew+Cochran.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Matthew+Cochran.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Jason Sleichter</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-jason-sleichter</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Jason Sleichter
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           William &amp;amp; Mary Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/sleichter_jason" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jason+Sleichter-5c8e47c4.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Jason's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Don Karns, Mike Stockwell and Chris Jones
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great day with some dear brother. Two spots preaching so many heard the Gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Had several group conversations and gave out 20 or more Tracts and preached and shared the Gospel for nearly 2 hours.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 16, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Chris Jones
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Chris and I spent about an hour and a half preaching at William and Mary and we were able to hand out quite a few tracts.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One young man spoke with Chris for quite a while as I was preaching and was very encouraged by what we were doing. From what Chris told me, he was a believer who had heard about Ray Comfort and was interested in street ministry. Chris was able to point him to some helpful resources.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/20241116_125955-2-354e1aa3.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 28, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Chris Jones
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Chris and I went to the William and Mary football game to preach and pass out tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was encouraging that more people seemed open to receiving tracts than we expected and I believe at least two people told us 'Thank you for what you are doing.'
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            We preached on a street corner for about 30-40 minutes each and then I preached a second time on God's judgment for about 20 minutes from Matthew 25 and Hebrews 9:27 and then we left.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jason+Sleichter-5c8e47c4.png" length="1371269" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 19 Nov 2024 17:08:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-jason-sleichter</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jason+Sleichter-5c8e47c4.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jason+Sleichter-5c8e47c4.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Grey Cup Ministry - Mason Goodknight</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/grey-cup-ministry-mason-goodknight</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grey Cup Ministry - Mason Goodknight
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/54146720242_7703145c3d_c.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Nov. 17th - Please pray for the
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWUPwB2Eto4GzS5yb4XRPuYniiQZTYaSczAU_UJoab65_xvHgJMHAIlLpsbleaPYB5xtOhaV56SdC7Y68HUW1uSaiLNwO4xsiTmxZBJT8TJy-x40LQtApwnxch0xxnp2etT9gGfeyK5VwwKQOYIbhMN4B_RsBXSoTWJ7DGJZWpf3JG_BhEWRdFYdz-7uha7cHc&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/greycupchampionship?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWUPwB2Eto4GzS5yb4XRPuYniiQZTYaSczAU_UJoab65_xvHgJMHAIlLpsbleaPYB5xtOhaV56SdC7Y68HUW1uSaiLNwO4xsiTmxZBJT8TJy-x40LQtApwnxch0xxnp2etT9gGfeyK5VwwKQOYIbhMN4B_RsBXSoTWJ7DGJZWpf3JG_BhEWRdFYdz-7uha7cHc&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #GreyCupChampionship
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Outreach team of Bill, Andy, Ernie, Ingrid, and Jerry still out there around the stadium in Vancouver BC today. Thank you all and have a blessed Lord's Day!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/467238233_10212387200553196_4536742918786193020_n-676b997e.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            You can see the stadium in the background. Hundreds strolling by and heading towards the stadium or otherwise passing through downtown Vancouver today have heard and continue to hear law and gospel truth proclaimed for this last day of the
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUHywpeLUOPVHkZL-8L4w5qPkVwwHETETCEuvP0zG6toogLCA26lGFC585D5JAzGlDVst3uewQRrNQxs727no8LhcBYYU22quk3w908YFmzbpOBjxVtMc0YUBUa2wCQXoQjVIB3-DcFIckSzZtbxvfrJrra7RjBHNwJLsyRRGGGA0CQnHM-9L-QUbGxq8a7kt8&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/greycupchampionship?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUHywpeLUOPVHkZL-8L4w5qPkVwwHETETCEuvP0zG6toogLCA26lGFC585D5JAzGlDVst3uewQRrNQxs727no8LhcBYYU22quk3w908YFmzbpOBjxVtMc0YUBUa2wCQXoQjVIB3-DcFIckSzZtbxvfrJrra7RjBHNwJLsyRRGGGA0CQnHM-9L-QUbGxq8a7kt8&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #GreyCupChampionship
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Outreach. May God save His people! Thanks for your prayers!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/467396210_10212387451599472_5380743127948607354_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXSU2dB4H3cjDVDctPm_WUUfScPvJNuig0JzZeMbKKj3oWYIpRknXMLmVTd2ao_PO9mYQ1xe41Q5B249TU7FNshpZmMR9S6DKnod90LPhAg8F-zTeMrQ3T2r3KX3XKpBdYZsyjzh8IlImFF5n21gaHEFyUQC2pPjXhSqIZbd_zA9AMcMsC5SBLJQmC-vuTWupJe_l93qgYph-DXPXqJ9byX&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/greycupchampionship?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXSU2dB4H3cjDVDctPm_WUUfScPvJNuig0JzZeMbKKj3oWYIpRknXMLmVTd2ao_PO9mYQ1xe41Q5B249TU7FNshpZmMR9S6DKnod90LPhAg8F-zTeMrQ3T2r3KX3XKpBdYZsyjzh8IlImFF5n21gaHEFyUQC2pPjXhSqIZbd_zA9AMcMsC5SBLJQmC-vuTWupJe_l93qgYph-DXPXqJ9byX&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #GreyCupChampionship
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Outreach Preaching
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More Preaching at the #SFOI #GreyCupChampionship Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My friend Chad Deveault visiting us here and taking part in our #SFOI #GreyCupChampionship Outreach here in Vancouver
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason-Goodknight-60f178d5.jpg" length="88580" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 19 Nov 2024 16:18:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/grey-cup-ministry-mason-goodknight</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason-Goodknight-60f178d5.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason-Goodknight-60f178d5.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Joe Hinson</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-joe-hinson</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Joe Hinson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           LaVell Edwards Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/hinson_joe" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson-319e277a.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Joe's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Ed Romine and David Oveson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great outreach. The weather was cool but pleasant. The game was well attended. Many thousands were offered the gospel. We ended up having several conversations as people drew near to the preaching. At one point I had 6 LDS college students surround me and were asking questions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Ed Romine, David Oveson and James Delmonte
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great outreach. This crowd usually doesn't take a lot a tracts, but we got out more then usual. Great weather for an outreach coupled with a big in-state rivalry game made for large crowds. Many thousands of people heard some portion of the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Friday, October 3, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Started out a little rainy. I was a little concerned since I forgot my rain gear. Fortunately, the rain held off. The outreach went pretty well. A few tried to discourage me. One guy hugged me and thanked me for being there. Pretty sure he was LDS. Also had a brief conversation with an LDS teenager, I was able to get a few more tracts out than the last game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: Pastor Ed Romine
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Busy outreach. Lots of people. Not the best tract day, but the gospel was preached. I had an officer ask me to move, but I instead offered to turn my amp down a little.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            Team leader recon retreat in San Francisco
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZWjIkruzKbkdLrN9_PTnyEFc0l76zxvV4X1NMl2x6tW15geyUGAHhYFFr5INH2InGsMQRnXPpoQ62hoctgvDk4I5Wq80CSBLCecIc1QL44pAMQG1pw1WSYcziEBxok-45Z5_AWCrQ6usJh1Cal3JZ4knidq208CbHGSQn02UZEtHTgLietsirpxou3IJvcNRCMtYV3G89YJyfwh5poArQqG&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Advancingthegospelofficial?__cft__[0]=AZWjIkruzKbkdLrN9_PTnyEFc0l76zxvV4X1NMl2x6tW15geyUGAHhYFFr5INH2InGsMQRnXPpoQ62hoctgvDk4I5Wq80CSBLCecIc1QL44pAMQG1pw1WSYcziEBxok-45Z5_AWCrQ6usJh1Cal3JZ4knidq208CbHGSQn02UZEtHTgLietsirpxou3IJvcNRCMtYV3G89YJyfwh5poArQqG&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advancingthegospelofficial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/607402722334295/?__cft__[0]=AZWjIkruzKbkdLrN9_PTnyEFc0l76zxvV4X1NMl2x6tW15geyUGAHhYFFr5INH2InGsMQRnXPpoQ62hoctgvDk4I5Wq80CSBLCecIc1QL44pAMQG1pw1WSYcziEBxok-45Z5_AWCrQ6usJh1Cal3JZ4knidq208CbHGSQn02UZEtHTgLietsirpxou3IJvcNRCMtYV3G89YJyfwh5poArQqG&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ the King Evangelism Prayer Group
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sportsfanoutreach?__cft__[0]=AZWjIkruzKbkdLrN9_PTnyEFc0l76zxvV4X1NMl2x6tW15geyUGAHhYFFr5INH2InGsMQRnXPpoQ62hoctgvDk4I5Wq80CSBLCecIc1QL44pAMQG1pw1WSYcziEBxok-45Z5_AWCrQ6usJh1Cal3JZ4knidq208CbHGSQn02UZEtHTgLietsirpxou3IJvcNRCMtYV3G89YJyfwh5poArQqG&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 16, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           BYU home game outreach update:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was cold and had a light amount of snow. That didn't keep the fans home. They were there in large numbers as they have been all year. I was the only evangelist there, so I switched back and forth between preaching and passing out tracts. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 18, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           BYU Home game outreach update
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The cold weather finally arrived in the Utah Valley. Temps in the upper 40°s. That didn't slow down the crowds though. Brother Ed and I are taking turns preaching and passing out tracts.
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 12, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           BYU Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Crowds are pretty constant. Stoplight preaching in a Mormon context is a little tricky as we only have a few moments to make a clear distinction between the Biblical Gospel and what the LDS church teaches. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 21, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I was by myself today. The crowds were large and steady. A good number of tracts went out.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I got into a brief conversation with a young, LDS teenager, and was able to get into a few of the differences between Biblical Christianity and LDS understanding of the Gospel. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: August 31, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brigham Young University game
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Crowds are pretty good for the first home game. Bro Ed and I are on a busy corner directly across from the stadium. Loads of people, majority LDS are hearing the Biblical Gospel. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson-319e277a.png" length="1747623" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 Nov 2024 16:12:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-joe-hinson</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson-319e277a.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson-319e277a.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Grey Cup! Day 4</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/grey-cup-day-4</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grey Cup!  Day 4 - BC Place Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/54147895299_aeebb26c69_c.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today was day 4 of the Grey Cup and Game Day at BC Place.  A photographer joined us to take many pictures at our 3 ministry locations.  As soon as he sends the pictures they wll be sent.  Until then these are 3 videos showing my ministry location and 2 videos showing Ernie's ministry location.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            You can see the crowd flow at each location.  The busiest location was in front of the stadium where Andy, Gerry and Mason were preaching.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 Nov 2024 04:44:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/grey-cup-day-4</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Grey Cup!  Day 2</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/grey-cup-day-2</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grey Cup!  Day 2 - Vancouver
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/54141883296_f70be32e2e_c+%281%29.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Day 2 went well.  We arrived about 11:00 AM with a large crowd already in the area for the annual
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grey Cup Festival Stampede Breakfast
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .  I believe it is hosted by the Calgary team as a way to promote the Calgary Stampede. This means there were lots of souls in our area early to hear the Gospel and the crowds stayed large all day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Again, there was much support from the Christians in the crowds, Ernie spoke with a young Christian couple from Fort St. John and Ken a gentlemen who needed some Christian assistance with a situation where he believed his car was stolen.  Often evangelists serve the fans in different ways depending on what they need.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Below are some pictures and videos from the day.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Sat, 16 Nov 2024 13:29:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/grey-cup-day-2</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Grey Cup!  Day 1</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/grey-cup-day-1</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grey Cup '24!  Day 1 - Vancouver
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dear Friends - Day 1 of the Grey Cup mission was very fruitful.  There are six of us laboring for the 4 days.  One group was comprised of Ernie &amp;amp; his wife Ingrid, they live in Chiliwack, Canada about 90 minutes from Vancouver, and me.  The other team was Andy Schmelzer, Mason Goodknight and Gerry Collins.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We labored for 7 hours at the
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.greycupfestival.ca/festival-events/save-on-foods-street-festival-fri" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grey Cup Festival
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            .
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Our location was here: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/zjJJyAFYbaeG2fns9" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Canada Place
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/zjJJyAFYbaeG2fns9" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Way
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . This was one end of the Grey Cup Festival activities held on Canada Place Way.  The festivities were a street festival replete with zip line, concerts and vendors.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/54141894800_a1e1b2f0a5_c.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here's a view of the street Festival
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ernie, Ingrid and I worked our corner for 7 hours.  Several good conversations. Lots of affirmation from Christians.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One Pastor from the the First Nations, which is a word for Indians in Canada, stopped to listen for about 15 minutes.  He said he had never seen open air preaching before and was excited about it. 
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here's a couple of videos of Ernie.  The videos show him preaching at different times during the day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 15 Nov 2024 14:00:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/grey-cup-day-1</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>FCB: Updates in Spreading the Faith</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/fcb-ministryreport</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open-Air Preaching in Bangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Rashal Rana's Ministry Report:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dear friends,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           We went out at night for open-air preaching. 60% of the population did not like to listen, but 40% were very interested in learning more about the Word of God. 23 people were eager to receive Bibles from us, and 11 confessed Jesus as their personal Savior. We had good communication with them and invited them to attend our church. Their names are:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ol&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Jahangir
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Asad
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Hasan
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Parves
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Abdul Goni
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Kader
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Mosarof
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Zahidul
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Monowar
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Khaza
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Taher
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ol&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for them as they walk in God’s path regularly. Additionally, we have started a sports discipleship camp this month, which will run for three months. Please also pray for our believer students.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           --
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many Blessings! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rashal Rana 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Contact Details:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phone Number: +8801712793206
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           WhatsApp &amp;amp; Signal: +8801712793206 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Facebook, Instagram &amp;amp; LinkedIn: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:rashalrana93@gmail.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           rashalrana93@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            To know more, please visit their page at:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/FreedomChurchBangladesh" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/FreedomChurchBangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg" length="6933" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 14 Nov 2024 14:03:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/fcb-ministryreport</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Mason Goodknight &amp; Ryan Clark</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-mason-goodknight-ryan-clark</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists: Mason Goodknight &amp;amp; Ryan Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jones AT&amp;amp;T Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/goodknight_mason" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason+Goodknight-4361ef26.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Mason's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/clark_ryan" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ryan+Clark-bd2e6830.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Ryan's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Ryan Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6%2F&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXj4PAqmZaqsaoaKyaw_-1B93FYObTSR93KRjW47OjWlO2yHOUv6-BLBl-0WjCHg0feDGqttM50-ncdfwGFWUP5Au0mft_8-i9GMNtFPJgJ81U7xUI0MtaqPqaTgMcyvYeJjj9tc7WrXUcCIFpcl4lJL2PJAJa5PfnFtRFQdkZlFM-TvYVLiWv7Zek7zEO48Uy5jt9EOjaK6vtK2h0wyDTu&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReformedBaptistChurchofDC?__cft__[0]=AZXj4PAqmZaqsaoaKyaw_-1B93FYObTSR93KRjW47OjWlO2yHOUv6-BLBl-0WjCHg0feDGqttM50-ncdfwGFWUP5Au0mft_8-i9GMNtFPJgJ81U7xUI0MtaqPqaTgMcyvYeJjj9tc7WrXUcCIFpcl4lJL2PJAJa5PfnFtRFQdkZlFM-TvYVLiWv7Zek7zEO48Uy5jt9EOjaK6vtK2h0wyDTu&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reformed Baptist Church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Outreach to the U of O Ducks Game
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Ryan Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a great time at Autzen. Handed out thousands of tracts and preached the gospel and tens of thousands streaming into the game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Ryan, Casey, Alex
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a great time preaching the gospel and handing out hundreds of gospel tracts at the U of O vs. Oklahoma State game. Thousands heard or read the law and gospel truth. We had positive things like a lady thanking me and giving me a hug, and negative things like the young man who tried to steal our amp. Overall a good time!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 9, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Jon, Nicholas, Megan, Heather, Elias, Casey, Alex, Scarlit, Ziggy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We have out over 1,000 tracts and covered two of the gates with open air preaching as well as gospel banners and signs. It was a great outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 26, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReformedBaptistChurchofDC?__cft__[0]=AZWsvxiJkwb2H-AB4V_jqbUNRlh4QyP3_3Bn_GqbZw0NkQ-Upbj_KVh4F-WnK4uasc29f7x5CsSdxzVpqZK7Ei0177KWb3Foy2p6DFYlmxIIwSSt3wYgFP-hahTx4-BdXoZtVk2X0qv-kjNy4lxlOzHjnCqUcfti-EX7y1CLW4Tgz6NIrNaC7cnjTudG8QY_FZnqG7TvFukYpyBqjOiFseB4&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reformed Baptist Church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Outreach to the U of O vs Illinois Football Game
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 12, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Reformed Baptist Church Outreach to U of O vs. Ohio State Football
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUwcf1TjA5O4em4imwVcuxnKqBOqO_N6jMCjT66a_9qaPKlL4Et9JN3ATp_mr32C1Yr7SGckdV51W2lTN16o27T3HIn4bT2-kesBPtHKpbgtQLea6nYaKFvx0kr2PTj4z9dpmIHzFqnKFJ8pApYarHg9bbAqrprHQB-Lh7NMaG8OuxkJmBDP8cTcSObi7eqTQAOeXi4PDmhtEhNKeRGlsCt&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 4, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReformedBaptistChurchofDC?__cft__[0]=AZXndmqtOhkwAXGbpaLIitMxXfpWSG6MJatiW7j0A8SxfBPSTLjz85RSR1X4DxyH-Jhb5FJxqFtuBo20NBDp9fp_zH8p9cPX_WbvD2nB57KOOo-_LVwXoeKrybGe5pfn5LC2Fwr5yzvGD7zbUDj0jCqfMKjv36HYbdJmi9fguTDfBa6mjGED3sT7FCMUGYjnB7wwd46rzwThaGtBVkqhtzmB&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reformed Baptist Church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Outreach to U of O vs MSU
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXndmqtOhkwAXGbpaLIitMxXfpWSG6MJatiW7j0A8SxfBPSTLjz85RSR1X4DxyH-Jhb5FJxqFtuBo20NBDp9fp_zH8p9cPX_WbvD2nB57KOOo-_LVwXoeKrybGe5pfn5LC2Fwr5yzvGD7zbUDj0jCqfMKjv36HYbdJmi9fguTDfBa6mjGED3sT7FCMUGYjnB7wwd46rzwThaGtBVkqhtzmB&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel tracts and banners can spread the good news to thousands. Get some and go!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 7, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReformedBaptistChurchofDC?__cft__[0]=AZXlmGyiZxbS8dB7__5VMp9dKBSA_fJJUZj1BuzRBIrKvRWpQgWk2EEXesd5V3auKVFYg-3jtPLKOhGapS6GF8kOMJ0stGlT6rUM9yRTjnE5C-BKlSJQP0wQAa0hQC4zKEfrYLCInugoWGwi0Et01ABDBGH49M2S7QatibJ9vIrPSj4UHSNsf216OwKRc3INk9pkqe-CI0Yf2JJLNQ8hjohs&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reformed Baptist Church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Outreach to the Oregon Ducks
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason+Goodknight-4361ef26.png" length="1180350" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 Nov 2024 15:18:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-mason-goodknight-ryan-clark</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason+Goodknight-4361ef26.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason+Goodknight-4361ef26.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Joshua Tubbs</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-joshua-tubbs</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Joshua Tubbs
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Protective Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/tubbs_joshua" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Tubbs.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Birmingham Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: December 27, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelist who joined: from left to right:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rue, Jacob, John Calvin Shaw, Grayson Shaw, John parsons, Joshua Tubbs and friend of Rue.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Tubbs+-+Birmingham+Bowl.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 9, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Rue
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rue and I were blessed to be able to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ at the UAB football game in Birmingham. Rue was able to speak with two Jehovah's Witnesses who walked past the preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was able to speak with a young man named Adam about his need for a Savior. Who was very engaged and had some good questions. It was a blessed time of fellowship and outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 2, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I was able to preach at the UAB football game in downtown Birmingham and had some good encouragement from those passing by.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After I finished I was able to speak and give a tract to Kenny, a parking attendant who had been listening.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/8DE23670-67C5-4FE2-B723-CC004DC52784.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Tubbs.png" length="1421717" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:57:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-joshua-tubbs</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Tubbs.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Tubbs.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Joe Toy</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-joe-toy</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Joe Toy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Carter Finley Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/toyjr_josephr" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Toy.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Joe's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Daniel Springs, Darrel Davis, Sean Keefe
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          There
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          was a big crowd for this rivalry game. Lots of tracts went out. Preaching to crowds at three locations. Prayed for a young man dealing with addiction.
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Friday, November 21, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Daniel Springs
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a small team of two men, as some men went elsewhere and some could not for various reasons. We proclaimed the gospel for three hours and passed out lots of tracts. We were blessed with a number of conversations and prayed with some people. A lot of believers going to the game thanked us for being there
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Daniel Springs, Pat McClanahan, Paul Infranco
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were blessed to have four men at the outreach. Smaller than usual, which limited our coverage at the game. We got out some tracts, but not as many as usual. The crowd was a little testy as it was a night game and a little more drunkenness. The gospel was proclaimed and had an amazing engagement with two men in their car, looking for parking
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Peter Firth, Pat McClanahan, Daniel Springs, Paul Infranco, Bryan Brady, Zack Brady, and four Brady teenagers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Because of the size of our team, we had three preaching spots and tracts going out at each location. We were able to pass out over 500 gospel tracts. The teenagers were a big asset at the game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Peter Firth, Daniel Springs, Paul Infranco
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a team of for men and preached and passed out gospel tracts for three hours. We were thanked by some fellow believers for being there. No real significant gospel conversations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Peter Firth, Pat McClanahan, Daniel Springs, Paul Infranco, Tony, David, Jermele
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were blessed with a team of eight men. One man enjoyed being there for the first time. Covered three congested entrance points. Lots of gospel tracts were passed out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Friday, August 29, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we bring the gospel to the bus station this afternoon in Raleigh.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lots of great gospel interaction at the bus station this afternoon. A number of Bibles were picked up from The Book Table. Blessed to pass on some food to the folks, which is provided by God's people.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Tommy Waltz, Darrel Davis, Daniel Springs, Peter Firth, Pat McClanahan, Tony, Thomas
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were able to cover three areas and reach more people. One person trusted Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Pray for us as we are at the Jones Franklin abortion Mill this morning, standing for life and sharing the gospel and offering help to Moms
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Pray for us as we Proclaim Jesus and interact with students for a little bit of time before we head to the football game this evening.
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Great day sowing the gospel at NC State this afternoon.
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Blessed to sow the gospel seed at NC State this afternoon. The Lord opened up some great opportunities to share Jesus.
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Pray for us as we begin to proclaim the gospel at the NC State football game tonight.
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Blessed to have a team of eight men proclaiming the gospel at the NC State game tonight. Thousands of people heard about Jesus,
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          and lots of gospel literature was passed out.
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tommy Waltz is proclaiming Jesus to the crowds at the NC State game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Daniel Springs is challenging people with the truths of God's word at the NC State game
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Darrel Davis is making Jesus known to the football fans at the NC State game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 9, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Daniel Springs, Paul Infranco, Kevin Cressy, Michael, Sam, David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Last game of the season. Blessed to have a team of seven men. Preached the gospel for 3 1/2 hrs. Passed out 1,000 gospel tracts. A few gospel conversations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A man from Kansas was visiting and preaching the gospel by himself and joined our team.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 2, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Peter Firth, Kevin Creasy, Daniel Springs, Paul and Nathan Infranco
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lots of tracts go out. Got 10 Life Of Jesus Books into the hands of Spanish speaking people. Peter had a 15 minute conversation with a Jewish man.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 12, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelists:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul Infranco, Daniel Springs, Peter Firth, Sam, David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Blessed to have a team of six men. We worked three locations. Passed out about 300 gospel tracts. Some short gospel conversations.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           State Police told us if we had any problems to let them know. They crowd was very cordial for the most part. A number of Christians encouraged us and thanked us for being there.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 5, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists: Stephen Brock, Bryan Brady, Brenden Hardy, Zack Brady(plus son and daughter)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Blessed with a team of seven people.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Passed out about 500 gospel tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We had four preachers.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We had numerous gospel conversations.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One person on our team was new. First time working with us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 28, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelists:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peter Firth, Paul Infranco, Stephen Brock
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a great team of men. This allowed us to work three different areas.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Three teen boys listened to the preaching for 30 minutes. The gospel was shared with them one to one.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some good interaction. Approximately 500 gospel tracts passed out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 14, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists: Tommy Waltz, Daniel Springs, Darrel Davis, Paul Infranco, David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We six evangelists at the NC State game today. Lots of tracts went out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a few gospel conversations. Five men preached during the 3 hours on location.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, August 29, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Name the evangelists that joined: Peter Firth, Daniel Springs, Darrell Davis, Bryan Brady, Zack Brady, Eva Brady
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe's Testimony : Lots of tracts go out. No real significant conversations
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Had a large team of seven people. Scouted out some new areas to plant
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           smaller teams. A lot of positive encouragement from believers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great night sowing the gospel at the NC State game in Raleigh with a great team of men.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Darrel Davis' Testimony:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           56,919 fans were in attendance at the season opener with the Wolfpack taking on Western Carolina with a 38-21 victory. But, I’m not writing to you about sports today. I’m writing to you about Jesus.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           We didn’t get to share the gospel with all of the fans, but I know for sure that thousands streamed by our location during the 3 hours of outreach at one of the main entrances. They heard the gospel proclaimed and many took gospel tracts from our team members.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some people thanked us. Some mocked us. But no one walking down the sidewalk that day was unable to avoid Jesus. That is our job…to make Jesus an unavoidable subject in Raleigh and beyond.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Nov 25, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we begin to Proclaim Jesus Christ at the UNC/North Carolina State football game tonight.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great night at the UNC/NC State game. Blessed with a team of 10 people. Able to preach at three locations. Lots of tracts went out
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Oct 28, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed to make Jesus known at the NC State game with great group of men.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Big crowds at the game today. Many are hearing the gospel on homecoming weekend.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Making the Gospel of Jesus Christ known to those who are at the NC State/ Clemson game today
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we begin to proclaim the gospel at the NC State/ Clemson game today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Oct 7, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we are at the NC State game today. May Jesus Christ be exalted and glorified as we Proclaim his great name.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed to have enough guys today to break up into two teams. Lots more people are hearing the gospel today at the State game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great day sowing the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the NC State game today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Toy.png" length="1411688" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 11 Nov 2024 16:43:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-joe-toy</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Toy.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Toy.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Mike Andrews</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-mike-andrews</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Mike Andrews
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bank of America Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mike+Andrews.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Lonnie Davis
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mike Andrews open air preached using amplification. Lonnie Davis passed out tracs. We had some discussion with a couple of individuals.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mike+Andrews+-+SFOI1000-1.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 3, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Tim Hutto
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We preached before the game to the fans coming in. We also passed out tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/IMG_6707-dfdcd27f.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Jan 7, '24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I got to preach the Panthers game yesterday. This is an old picture, but I was there yesterday. Please pray that the word fell on good soil and that someone would trust Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are all ministers. Go share the Gospel wherever you are. This message will change the world. Message me if you would like to join me on an outreach. It was pretty neat to see the big Air Force jet fly over.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you very much.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mike+Andrews.png" length="1999929" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Nov 2024 18:29:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-mike-andrews</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mike+Andrews.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mike+Andrews.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - DOC Schank</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-doc-schank</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: DOC Schank
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           NFL Team: Minnesota Vikings
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stadium: US Bank Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/schank_bill" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill+DOC+Schank.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Doc's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise the LORD, the Gospel Outreach at the Minnesota Vikings game yesterday went very well. The Preaching of the Gospel was not hindered. Approximately 70,000 football fans heard the Gospel being preached. Praise GOD, many Christians were encouraged by hearing the Gospel being preached in public. TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!!!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 3, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Brother David Miller and Sister Natalie Simon (she handed out a lot of Gospel Tracts)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise The LORD, The Gospel was faithfully Preached to approximately 65,000 Minnesota Vikings Fan's. GOD by HIS HOLY SPIRIT gave us utterance to open our mouth boldly to make known the mystery of The Gospel (Ephesians 6:19).
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The Gospel was not hindered by the Police, Security guards nor anyone else. Praise The LORD, a lot of Gospel Tract's were handed out by Sister Natalie. ***It was a very nice blessing that GOD stopped the rain. It stopped raining right when we started to Preach The Gospel.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise GOD, their were a number of fellow Christians who were encouraged to see us on the street Preaching The Gospel (Whole Counsel Of GOD'S WORD &amp;#55357;&amp;#56911;. GOD Protected us from all evil.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ***SOLI DEO GLORIA (TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY)!!!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 5, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Brother David Miller and Sister Natalie Simon (she handed out a lot of Gospel Tracts)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Minnesota Vikings do not play at home this Sunday they will be playing in London, England. So David and I went and Preached The Gospel to the 50,000 Minnesota Gophers Football fans in Minneapolis.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise The LORD, the Preaching of The Gospel went very well. GOD gave us favor with the Authorities and The Preaching of The Gospel was not hindered. Praise GOD, David and I faithfully Preached The Gospel (Whole counsel of GOD'S WORD). GOD by HIS HOLY SPIRIT gave us utterance to open our mouth boldly to make known the mystery of The Gospel (Ephesians 6:19). And GOD protected us from all evil.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           **Also, Praise The LORD, I had a very brief conversation, but a very good Witnessing conversation with a young man in his early Twenties
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 22, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: David Miller
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise The LORD, Brother David Miller and I went to separate spots to Preach The Gospel at the Minnesota Vikings Football game, so that more fans could hear The Gospel being Preached. Praise The LORD, approximately 65,000+ fans heard The Gospel (Whole council of GOD'S Word) being Preached.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             ﻿
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
        
            GOD by HIS precious Holy Spirit gave David and I utterance to open our mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel (Ephesians 6:19).
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            GOD gave us favor with the authorities and The Preaching of The Gospel was not hindered. Praise GOD, many Christians were encouraged to see us on the street Preaching The Gospel and encouraged us to keep up the good work.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To GOD ALONE Be The GLORY!!!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 15, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: David Miller
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise The LORD, The Gospel was faithfully Preached next to US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis to approximately 66,000 football fans who came to the Vikings game. The Holy Spirit gave us utterance to open our mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel (Ephesians 6:19).
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many Christians were encouraged seeing us out on the street Preaching The Gospel. To GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!!!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/20240915_122422.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Dec 31, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise The LORD, The Gospel was FAITHFULLY Preached to the Minnesota Vikings Fans, next to US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis this evening.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise God, the Gospel was NOT hindered by the Police, Security Guards or anyone else. GOD gave us utterance to open our mouth boldly to make known the mystery of The Gospel (Ephesians 6:19).
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           GOD PROTECTED us from all evil. **And Praise The LORD, other Christians ?? were encouraged hearing us out on the Street Preaching The Gospel and pleading with sinners to be reconciled to GOD.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            **I apologize that I forgot to take a couple of pictures of our Outreach this evening. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SOLI DEO GLORIA!!!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until We Go HOME 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill DOC Schank 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Nov 12, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise The LORD, Brother's David, Jeff and I preached the Gospel to the Minnesota Vikings fans as they were walking out from US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis this Afternoon. Praise The LORD the Gospel was NOT hindered by the Police, Security Guards, or anyone else. GOD, by HIS HOLY SPIRIT, gave us utterance to open our mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel (Ephesians 6:19). And GOD PROTECTED &amp;#55357;&amp;#56911; us from all evil.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Also, Praise GOD there was a Christian Sister ✝️ (Flo and her 10-year-old Son Jaden) who stood by for 20 minutes or more listening to the Gospel being Preached. They were very ENCOURAGED by GOD'S WORD!!! And she thanked me for coming out to Preach The Gospel. ***I told her it's an HONOR for me to EXALT the Name of JESUS who is the KING Of Kings And LORD Of Lords!!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SOLI DEO GLORIA (TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!!! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, Oct 23, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise the LORD, I preached the Gospel next to US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis to the Minnesota Vikings Football fans earlier this evening. (Brother David wasn't able to join me since he didn't get off from work until 3:30 and it's almost a 3-hour drive for him to get to Minneapolis. Brother Jeff wasn't able to join me either. I was by myself, but actually, I wasn't by myself, because the LORD was with me. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise GOD, the Gospel wasn't hindered by the Police, Security Guards, or anyone else. GOD by the POWER of HIS HOLY SPIRIT gave me utterance to open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel (Ephesians 6:19). Praise GOD we know by HIS WORD that He softened some of the hearts of unsaved sinners who are not born again yet.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There were 2 different men that came up to me screaming at me to shut up. What an oxymoron that 1 of those men screamed at me saying, "Freedom of Speech. Shut up". There is definitely NOTHING new under the sun. Also, that man caused me to think about Romans 1:18.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 1:18 KJV
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.1.18.KJV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.1.18.KJV
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Also praise the LORD, that GOD PROTECTED me from ALL Evil. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Soli DEO GLORIA (To GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!!!).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until We Go HOME 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill DOC Schank 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Oct 8, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother David Miller and I Preached The Gospel faithfully to the Minnesota Vikings fans before they entered the US Bank Stadium for the football game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise The LORD, thousands and thousands of people heard The Gospel (the whole counsel of GOD'S WORD) being Preached. Brother Jeff wasn't able to make it this week and normally Sister Natalie joins us and hands out Gospel tracts. But she wasn't able to join us this time either. But, again the Gospel was FAITHFULLY preached and we were not hindered by the police or anyone else. And GOD PROTECTED us from all evil. Praise The LORD, we also handed out some Gospel tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!!!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until we go HOME.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill DOC Schank 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Sep 24, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the LORD, by the power of GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT we FAITHFULLY preached the Gospel. There were 4 of us, brothers David, Jeff, and I preached the Gospel and praise God, sister Natalie who was with us, handed out MANY Gospel Tracts.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Even though there were a lot of hecklers and some who cursed at us preachers, praise the LORD, there were a lot of Christians who were ENCOURAGED seeing us out on the streets preaching the Gospel.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Even though it was raining very hard before the fans came out of the stadium, praise the LORD, GOD cleared away the storm so that approximately 65,000 football fans were able to hear the Gospel (the whole counsel of GOD'S WORD) being preached.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SOLI DEO GLORIA!!!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until we go HOME.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill DOC Schank
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Sep 10, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today Brother's David, Jeff and I (Doc Schank) were Preaching the Gospel to the Minnesota Vikings Fans next to the US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise The LORD, The Gospel (Whole Counsel of GOD'S WORD) was Faithfully Preached in love and Holy Spirit Boldness. Even though we had a handful of drunk men who were very Aggressive towards us and literally getting right up in our face and yelling and swearing at us; Praise The LORD, there were a number of people who stood by listening to the Preaching of The Gospel.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There were a number of Gospel Tract's handed out. And Brother's David and Jeff had a very good Witnessing Conversation with a couple of young men who were Students at North Central University. Attached are some pictures from our Gospel Outreach today. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Solo Deo GLORIA!!!&amp;#55357;&amp;#56911;&amp;#55357;&amp;#56911;&amp;#55357;&amp;#56911;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill+DOC+Schank.png" length="1195952" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Nov 2024 17:10:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-doc-schank</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill+DOC+Schank.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill+DOC+Schank.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Gerry Collins</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-gerry-collins</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Gerry Collins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bakersfield College
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/collins_gerry" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gerry+Collins-89cd144b.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Gerry's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: Julie Collins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Was able to pass out about 250 tracts this week. I was blessed this week with a good reception, with most taking tracts. I was able to witness seeing 2 young boys with one reading the track I handed them to the other and this opened the door for more conversation later during my time there.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist(s) who joined: Julie Collins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This week, only my wife and I were able to attend. We were able to pass out about 200 Gospel tracts. Seems I’m now recognized by many of the football fans. Several Christians thanked me for being there and one lady said she also needs to be doing the same. It’s a blessing to be encouraging other believers that are present.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Though by myself again this week I had a wonderful time passing out many tracks this week. Several Christian’s there also thanks me for being at the game. Had a great conversation with one particular individual who I thought at first was a heckler but he ended up being a seeker and he was very open to the message of the gospel. Also invited him to my church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was hoping to have two join me this week, but circumstances prevented that this weekend. However, this was a blessed outreach to me even though I was alone. Our recently hired assistant/youth pastor was going to join me; however, he is very supportive of gospel proclamation. Also, I believe more support is coming from my church going forward. We are praying for evangelism. Particularly blessed this week, as I handed the Are You Born Again track to him, he immediately said to me, “I have been thinking about this.” He said my friend is telling me I need to submit to Christ! I said back Amen you need to submit your life to Christ! The Lord seemed to really be breaking that man. Only had a few seconds but was able by God's grace to water that seed. Praise the Lord! The outreach also was announced at our assembly this last Sunday, and I am thankful for that.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Thursday, Aug 21, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was the first game of the season. It was a scrimmage game with lower than normal attendance. Almost 100% of those attending received tracts. Because it was a free scrimmage game there was no worker at the entrance to the stadium and I was able to place a tract in everyone’s hand as they entered. I was able to have some conversation with one man who appeared to be caught up into the Hebrew Roots movement. Next event I hope to have some brothers with me at the event.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: November 2, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This week I attended the outreach with just myself. The crowds were smaller than normal at the game. I was still able to pass out approximately 120 gospel tracts at the outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 19, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Cameron Hunter
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Was join this week game with one of my elders from my church Cameron Hunter.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Together we passed out About 400 gospel tracts. I had a few one on one conversations, one in particular with a man who was an unbeliever but married to a believer, he was concerned about his in ability to not sin. Was a great opportunity to offer hope to him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 28, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined:
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Chad Clendenen and Chad Knox
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Was joined by Chad Clendenen from my church and his friend Chad Knox. We were able to cover most of the foot traffic as people enter the stadium from the parking areas and were able to pass out about 600 gospel tracts.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a joy and an encouragement to have these brothers join me at this outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 7, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I had scheduled another from church and his son the join me but he had to cancel. This location is great for passing out tracts and engaging in one on one conversations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            I passed out about 220 tracts and had to conversations 2 young men Simon and Anthony. One was catholic and one who had never heard the Gospel yet was wearing a cross.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Next outreach Lord Willing I will have others join me. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Nov 4, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This week I was hoping to be joined by one of my elders from my church but ended up being alone. The outreach went well though. I passed out about 150 tracts as I recall. Has a good gospel presentation with two young adults neither had never heard gospel presented before. One was a Catholic and ended up being somewhat hostile and the other listened very well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Oct 21, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This week Cameron Hunter from my church was able to join me at the outreach. Someone at the game told me this was a Homecoming game and the crowds seemed to be higher than normal. There was also another on the campus. We were able to pass out at least 300 gospel tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Sep 30, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was not able to have a partner this week. I handed out about 180 tracts this week. Only a few rejections and a few believers encouraged me for being there. They seemed as well hopefully. I also had a brief follow-up with a confessing believer from a previous week and was able to share a gospel track with the mother and she was reading the track afterwards.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Sep 9, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I attended the first home game of the season at Bakersfield College on Sept 9th, 2023. I invited another to attend with me but he circumstances didn’t allow him to make it. The crowds are usually light and I pass out tracts and engage in one on one conversations. I was able to pass about a hundred gospel tracts and had a wonderful talk with two young men name Bruce and Brian. Bruce had never heard the message though raised in a church. Both were very open. Was able to give a NT to Brian. Attached is a photo of Bruce and Brian
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God Bless
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry Collins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gerry+Collins-89cd144b.png" length="1946481" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Nov 2024 17:04:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-gerry-collins</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gerry+Collins-89cd144b.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gerry+Collins-89cd144b.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>NC State Fair: Game Summary by Tommy Waltz</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/nc-state-fair-game-summary</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NC+State+Fair+-24.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           NC State Fair Report by Tommy Waltz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hello Everybody,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I wanted to say thank you for making this outreach to the State Fair a great success this year. We are changing our culture one soul at a time, and we have also encouraged many Christians. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I heard one grandson witnessing to his grandmother after he passed the preaching of the word. God gave us a peek behind the curtain of His sovereign hand, but He did so much more we could not see. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here is a Podcast I did with some of the evangelists who came to serve from out of town. Don't forget to follow our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.gospelgm.com/the-truth-that-transforms-podcast" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           podcast on Itunes or Spotify
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truth-that-transforms/id1347557192" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Truth That Transforms Podcast 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I also have another podcast show that encourages men to be men in a feminized culture. It is called 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://rightwayfarmllc.com/everything-manly-podcast" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Everything Manly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here are the numbers from the State Fair Outreach     
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            300,000 heard the Gospel or more 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3- cults were engaged with the Gospel 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           61- Bibles were given out 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10- Jesus Films 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            16,000- Tracts were given out. ( probably more, but I did not ask everybody) 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           45- Conversations with unbelievers and believers 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a Gospel witness there almost all ten days during the fair. Thanks again, guys. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Tommy Waltz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           "It would be very easy to prove that revivals of religion have usually been accompanied, if not caused, by a considerable amount of preaching out of doors, or in unusual places."- Charles Spurgeon 
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.gospelgm.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           www.gospelgm.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NC+State+Fair+-24+Team.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           NC State Fair Outreach Team 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Register to receive SFOI emails:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://form.jotform.com/240104738591455" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Emails
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Sponsor An Evangelist to preach at an event:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/Donate-Sponsor-an-Evangelist" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           SAE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            .
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Become a SFOI Ministry Partner:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/Partners-Page" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           MP
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Join the SFOI Team at an upcoming event:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/events" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Events
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Submit a Prayer Request:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/prayer-request" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Thu, 31 Oct 2024 17:30:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/nc-state-fair-game-summary</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>NFL London: Richard preaching in Piccadilly Circus</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-london-richard-preaching-in-piccadilly-circus</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+London+US.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           NFL London: Richard preaching in Piccadilly Circus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            This is a good clip of Richard preaching in Piccadilly Circus which is perhaps one of a couple of the busiest tourist locations in London.  In the middle is Shaftsbury Fountain where tourists sit and where they take pictures.  There is always lots of foot trafffic. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So imaging here in the middle of London is an Ambassador of Christ proclaiming eternal life to the passing souls.  Many listen, many ignore but either way Christ is preached which is the goal of evangelism: preaching Christ to unbelievers that they might be saved.
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To partner with SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Register to receive SFOI emails: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://form.jotform.com/240104738591455" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Emails
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sponsor An Evangelist to preach at an event: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/Donate-Sponsor-an-Evangelist" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           SAE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Become a SFOI Ministry Partner: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/Partners-Page" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           MP
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Join the SFOI Team at an upcoming event: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/events" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Events
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Submit a Prayer Request: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/prayer-request" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Thu, 31 Oct 2024 14:58:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-london-richard-preaching-in-piccadilly-circus</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>NFL London '24: Piccadilly Circus</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-london-24-piccadilly-circus</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+London+US.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           NFL London: Piccadilly Circus Overview
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Piccadilly-Circus" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Piccadilly Circus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            is one of two premier tourist destinations in London and an ideal location for Gospel ministry.  You can see it's location on the map:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bing.com/maps?q=piccadilly+circus&amp;amp;FORM=HDRSC7&amp;amp;cp=51.509584%7E-0.134089&amp;amp;lvl=16.0" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           PC
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bing.com/maps?q=piccadilly+circus&amp;amp;FORM=HDRSC7&amp;amp;cp=51.510118%7E-0.134153&amp;amp;lvl=16.0" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            It is close to Buckingham Palace, Westminster home of UK Parliament,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leicester_Square" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Leicester Square
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and the other main tourist stop
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Trafalgar-Square" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Trafalgar Square
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            .
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The video below shows the layout of Piccadilly Circus and why it's an excellent location for ministry.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Register to receive SFOI emails:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://form.jotform.com/240104738591455" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Emails
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Sponsor An Evangelist to preach at an event:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/Donate-Sponsor-an-Evangelist" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           SAE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            .
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Become a SFOI Ministry Partner:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/Partners-Page" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           MP
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Join the SFOI Team at an upcoming event:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/events" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Events
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Submit a Prayer Request:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/prayer-request" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Oct 2024 09:55:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-london-24-piccadilly-circus</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Justin Johnson</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-justin-johnson</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Justin Johnson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cardinal Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/johnson_justin" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+-+Justin+Johnson.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Justin's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 19, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Outreach at the Cardinal game
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 5, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Murray State
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cardinal Game Saturday.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/462113796_1068824838102573_3992315307703035408_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+-+Justin+Johnson.png" length="1484265" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Oct 2024 14:44:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-justin-johnson</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+-+Justin+Johnson.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+-+Justin+Johnson.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Samuel Wilking</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-sam-wilking</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Sam Wilking
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mackay Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/wilking_samuel" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Sam+Wilking.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: October 12, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Handed out a lot of tracts and got to preach once again in front of the student gate area as students walked to the game extremely drunk.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There was a lot of Oregon State fans that heard the gospel as well. I preached to the Nevada marching band as they marched by as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 21, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nevada vs Eastern Washington game report
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praising the Lord for another amazing gospel opportunity at the game. Lots of students heard the gospel, many students took gospel tracts as well. There were two incidents where some students would try to distract over secondary means.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For example, one woman came up and claimed to be a Christian and loved what I was doing but wanted to suggest I move my son in his stroller slightly out of the sun. Another distraction happened later when two guys claiming to be Christians asked if they could pray for me. I told them” Sure, but are you guys Christians?”
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of the guys said they just recently got rebaptized and said they would go back to church and confess a priest. I gave them a gospel tract and encouraged them to confess to Christ and seek Him out more. They walked away and didn’t want to pray.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Overall had great crowds to street preach to. At the entrance where I stood, the marching band had to enter to get to the pre-game performance. So I got to street preach to the whole marching band as they marched by. One of them mocked me and said, “I am a lesbian!” And to my reply, I told her that her sin would condemn her and to repent.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thankful for all the interactions and safety. Please be in prayer for the students who heard the gospel and took tracts. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 7, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nevada vs. Georgia Southern
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Today I was able to set up near the student gate. My goal today was to preach and evangelize on the street with some of the Nevada students.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           During pre-game and through the first half of the game students are in the back free lot partying, getting wasted, and living in sensuality. I handed out lots of tracts to students. Some students mocked bragging about their drunkenness and homosexuality. Another woman at one point not a student leaving the game told me “ This doesn't work.” I asked “How do you know that?” she responded, “I am a Christian that is how.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           There was also a young lady who was a student there who came up and asked why I did evangelism. But she was very enthusiastic she was able to ask religious questions. She told me how she is wrestling between wanting to live for the world but she wants to know God as well. She was in a rush so I quickly explained the gospel to her and gave her a “Way of Salvation” tract.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           You also might notice in my photos all the smoke behind the stadium. 2 hours before
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           the game a fire broke out south of Reno at Davis Creek and blew up drastically in the last few hours. At the moment 1,800 acres have burned up.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please be in prayer for those who took the tracts, the young lady who heard the gospel, and also all those in Reno currently getting affected by the fire and evacuations."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Nov 5, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Got to preach at the Nevada game today
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZVbrAo4SAQSNNXJt52OFcTMwa4cMwzLgGZiO5756KLGA8XVg5pdmsFABnv7s9Y0d4yJy27u8_lPnrg7r1dYN-Ba7-3tcgiObUx9YfwlGp1iSJfHawMopRwxAq7AoPRfP5_G3-Ya8jv7isM78u9LByT7pkSEC2oURlgsScnnJ60u6xvIAKMhNaBsy2B_TN9bqkI&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZVbrAo4SAQSNNXJt52OFcTMwa4cMwzLgGZiO5756KLGA8XVg5pdmsFABnv7s9Y0d4yJy27u8_lPnrg7r1dYN-Ba7-3tcgiObUx9YfwlGp1iSJfHawMopRwxAq7AoPRfP5_G3-Ya8jv7isM78u9LByT7pkSEC2oURlgsScnnJ60u6xvIAKMhNaBsy2B_TN9bqkI&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preaching to Nevada students and fans heading into Mackay Stadium for the game. Lots of tracts were handed out today and they heard the gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZXk3VeS_qgUvJPdge2UXvU5yE5A-NVWMS_skAKWNnaf_rUZH_DScdINLT-dNkZvddFi5JrznrRVnX0F1Gh35mNNzSnxOKh6sl8WLQFf4-0gmb-odjDIRYUXt4urYY_mRRQ9UJRwHTiALb9kp6OjH6ZQ2pFRzFqFGQ0IFAvwVtuq81EQ9eKOrEfrqdWu7YD6AHg&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZXk3VeS_qgUvJPdge2UXvU5yE5A-NVWMS_skAKWNnaf_rUZH_DScdINLT-dNkZvddFi5JrznrRVnX0F1Gh35mNNzSnxOKh6sl8WLQFf4-0gmb-odjDIRYUXt4urYY_mRRQ9UJRwHTiALb9kp6OjH6ZQ2pFRzFqFGQ0IFAvwVtuq81EQ9eKOrEfrqdWu7YD6AHg&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Oct 14, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Great time evangelizing at the Nevada Wolfpack and Kansas Jayhawks football game! Handed out 20 tracts and many heard the Gospel. Posting video later.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers for all those who receives tracts that they would go check out the Bible on it and have their hearts opened to the truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Sam+Wilking.png" length="1501097" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 16 Oct 2024 20:15:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-sam-wilking</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Sam+Wilking.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Sam+Wilking.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - John Crowley</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-john-crowley</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: John Crowley
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           FBC Mortgage Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/crowley_john" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Crowley-886c00c5.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on John's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025 - Cure Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            USF vs Old Dominion handing out Gospel tracks and sharing the Glorious Gospel
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Last game of year for UCF preaching at handing out tracts
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/paul.rosbury.3?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul Rosbury
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/globalnetworkofevangelists?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Global Network of Evangelists
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ron.cohen.5891004?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ron Neumann
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/myrue.l.spivey?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Myrue L Spivey
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jsrucci?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Steve Rucci
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/lwwotm?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Living Waters
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jcbarros?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Barros
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Ligonier?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ligonier Ministries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sportsfanoutreach?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/mts.comp?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mts Comp
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/WretchedNetwork?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wretched
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1581725508722910/?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelism Group
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/ericneedle?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eric Needle
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Antioch Community Church Orlando
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/stevepsanchez?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Steve P. Sanchez
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/emeal.zwayne?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Emeal EZ Zwayne
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/www.operationsaveamerica.org?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Operation Save America
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jerry.fanshaw.7?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jerry Fanshaw
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/shanebrownministry?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Shane Brown
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/lori.sweetbrown?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lori Brown
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jay.edward.758?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Justin Arjuna Edwards
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jeff.durbin.7?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeff Durbin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Jerry Goff
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072374030928&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Go Stand Speak Ministries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1524690164444610/?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           EVANGELISM
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572283787963&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sweet Water Fellowship
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/streetevangelismtampabay?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Street Evangelism Tampabay
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/matthew.redondo?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew Redondo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/anne.marchetti.3?__cft__[0]=AZUamNBFOvaL25V0MY-dunNeUY6PHlSomZ-CHrQT8DZUvzaVD3AFojQ4MAavkrFaCl_lphc5HSjcWI4SlKZm79iSTmot4_evTXwRCNjQzQ-OyPUZEadQxVfNa5LOYwpkwK4Rj8LbXxSebXmjorfF2qJhyZlKOTfY2pSK7LrlknpCTDXB5Nn0jNZbyZJ9Wl7u3Jr28Jj_d2L0uJBJ41AFAGyr&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Anne Marchetti
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/rob.medina.31?__cft__[0]=AZW54DGzJ7RCzGWOlBvi41EHd1lVekTp_AW1s8O4Itgb08PjyAsLwCyGLGxjsecvEpzJIzAwM9aAYm_QVm8GNm6OqXddmTUuvKAFpPADyZsSjw4d-fSliYAPAswerND1ey4Tr0tF7fADcPskEMHNz2oDGrimdwTEQaPo-bCm8g2hYUecMe335d2X7NhvzEtR2qH9M_0-ainS-XZAsSZ5GlUU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rob Medina
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/chandler.langevin?__cft__[0]=AZW54DGzJ7RCzGWOlBvi41EHd1lVekTp_AW1s8O4Itgb08PjyAsLwCyGLGxjsecvEpzJIzAwM9aAYm_QVm8GNm6OqXddmTUuvKAFpPADyZsSjw4d-fSliYAPAswerND1ey4Tr0tF7fADcPskEMHNz2oDGrimdwTEQaPo-bCm8g2hYUecMe335d2X7NhvzEtR2qH9M_0-ainS-XZAsSZ5GlUU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Chandler Langevin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZW54DGzJ7RCzGWOlBvi41EHd1lVekTp_AW1s8O4Itgb08PjyAsLwCyGLGxjsecvEpzJIzAwM9aAYm_QVm8GNm6OqXddmTUuvKAFpPADyZsSjw4d-fSliYAPAswerND1ey4Tr0tF7fADcPskEMHNz2oDGrimdwTEQaPo-bCm8g2hYUecMe335d2X7NhvzEtR2qH9M_0-ainS-XZAsSZ5GlUU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/paul.rosbury.3?__cft__[0]=AZW54DGzJ7RCzGWOlBvi41EHd1lVekTp_AW1s8O4Itgb08PjyAsLwCyGLGxjsecvEpzJIzAwM9aAYm_QVm8GNm6OqXddmTUuvKAFpPADyZsSjw4d-fSliYAPAswerND1ey4Tr0tF7fADcPskEMHNz2oDGrimdwTEQaPo-bCm8g2hYUecMe335d2X7NhvzEtR2qH9M_0-ainS-XZAsSZ5GlUU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul Rosbury
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/seth.tweeddale?__cft__[0]=AZW54DGzJ7RCzGWOlBvi41EHd1lVekTp_AW1s8O4Itgb08PjyAsLwCyGLGxjsecvEpzJIzAwM9aAYm_QVm8GNm6OqXddmTUuvKAFpPADyZsSjw4d-fSliYAPAswerND1ey4Tr0tF7fADcPskEMHNz2oDGrimdwTEQaPo-bCm8g2hYUecMe335d2X7NhvzEtR2qH9M_0-ainS-XZAsSZ5GlUU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Seth Tweeddale
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Eric Needle
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/emeal.zwayne?__cft__[0]=AZW54DGzJ7RCzGWOlBvi41EHd1lVekTp_AW1s8O4Itgb08PjyAsLwCyGLGxjsecvEpzJIzAwM9aAYm_QVm8GNm6OqXddmTUuvKAFpPADyZsSjw4d-fSliYAPAswerND1ey4Tr0tF7fADcPskEMHNz2oDGrimdwTEQaPo-bCm8g2hYUecMe335d2X7NhvzEtR2qH9M_0-ainS-XZAsSZ5GlUU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Emeal EZ Zwayne
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We have been witnessing to students who face painting last year. We witness near her and Chick-fil-A student will stop to take photos with crows and kids line face painting. How can we expect others to hear our message unless we take the first step to sharethe Glorious  Gospel it with them?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/paul.rosbury.3?__cft__[0]=AZU77Gg-ZSnYgHwV-gMUfoZoDv3729AyS7Bld-fz9K5liQ0XbCweH3wfACudjY2NokncqFaxClQPAAB7Q5g-o4hgzhFMcJ6pX8ilBaErF5capJlPJcVoV30bIjFxPglg4NcCSVLYg8w-59jP207lGXIi&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul Rosbury
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/globalnetworkofevangelists?__cft__[0]=AZU77Gg-ZSnYgHwV-gMUfoZoDv3729AyS7Bld-fz9K5liQ0XbCweH3wfACudjY2NokncqFaxClQPAAB7Q5g-o4hgzhFMcJ6pX8ilBaErF5capJlPJcVoV30bIjFxPglg4NcCSVLYg8w-59jP207lGXIi&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Global Network of Evangelists
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/mts.comp?__cft__[0]=AZU77Gg-ZSnYgHwV-gMUfoZoDv3729AyS7Bld-fz9K5liQ0XbCweH3wfACudjY2NokncqFaxClQPAAB7Q5g-o4hgzhFMcJ6pX8ilBaErF5capJlPJcVoV30bIjFxPglg4NcCSVLYg8w-59jP207lGXIi&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mts Comp
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org?__cft__[0]=AZU77Gg-ZSnYgHwV-gMUfoZoDv3729AyS7Bld-fz9K5liQ0XbCweH3wfACudjY2NokncqFaxClQPAAB7Q5g-o4hgzhFMcJ6pX8ilBaErF5capJlPJcVoV30bIjFxPglg4NcCSVLYg8w-59jP207lGXIi&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/tpusafaith?__cft__[0]=AZU77Gg-ZSnYgHwV-gMUfoZoDv3729AyS7Bld-fz9K5liQ0XbCweH3wfACudjY2NokncqFaxClQPAAB7Q5g-o4hgzhFMcJ6pX8ilBaErF5capJlPJcVoV30bIjFxPglg4NcCSVLYg8w-59jP207lGXIi&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           TPUSA Faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072374030928&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZU77Gg-ZSnYgHwV-gMUfoZoDv3729AyS7Bld-fz9K5liQ0XbCweH3wfACudjY2NokncqFaxClQPAAB7Q5g-o4hgzhFMcJ6pX8ilBaErF5capJlPJcVoV30bIjFxPglg4NcCSVLYg8w-59jP207lGXIi&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Go Stand Speak Ministries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/gotellthem?__cft__[0]=AZU77Gg-ZSnYgHwV-gMUfoZoDv3729AyS7Bld-fz9K5liQ0XbCweH3wfACudjY2NokncqFaxClQPAAB7Q5g-o4hgzhFMcJ6pX8ilBaErF5capJlPJcVoV30bIjFxPglg4NcCSVLYg8w-59jP207lGXIi&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Street Preachers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/lwwotm?__cft__[0]=AZU77Gg-ZSnYgHwV-gMUfoZoDv3729AyS7Bld-fz9K5liQ0XbCweH3wfACudjY2NokncqFaxClQPAAB7Q5g-o4hgzhFMcJ6pX8ilBaErF5capJlPJcVoV30bIjFxPglg4NcCSVLYg8w-59jP207lGXIi&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Living Waters
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           October 13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           September 7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For only the second time the police stopped from preaching and passing out gospel tracks. we
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           had moved to usual spot due lighting in the area . Please pray for the office he did ask nicely to stop and I had told a long before hand they really don't like to preach there but due to parents' weekend there are many to go and preach. It was Jane's first time in dealing with police so she was upset
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           August 29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Team: University of Central Florida
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Orlando, FL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/457277307_8832069106822875_3826757338468785084_n-d039457c.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Crowley-886c00c5.png" length="1880268" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Oct 2024 12:24:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-john-crowley</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Crowley-886c00c5.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Crowley-886c00c5.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 -  Francisco Nieves</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-francisco-nieves</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Francisco Nieves
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/nieves_francisco" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Francisco+Nieves-1e9f6503.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Francisco's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Thomas, Drew, Peter, Hannah and Adrianna.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great outreach. Lots of positive feedback. Lots of tracts were handed out. We had a wonderful time and God was glorified.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Peter and his sister, Kai, Adrianna, and me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a lot of positive feedback from the crowd. Kai open air preached for the first time. Hundreds of Tracts were passed out.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Thomas, Gary, Peter, Samuel and Adrianna
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great start to #SFOI1000 University of Texas. We had two evangelists preaching the gospel from 8 am until the game started at 11 am. And then four other evangelists are handing out gospel tracts at different intersections. A lot of people showed support and a few were scoffing. Please pray for fruit!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 28, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelists who joined: Drew Pettiti, Nathaniel Ro
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            I was busy early in the afternoon with a church event and so we had to go to the stadium after the game was over. This was a blessing in several fronts.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           First, we found cheap parking on the street rather than having to pay the full prize for a parking garage. Secondly, we arrived there as the sun was setting so we did not have the Texas heat beating down on us. And lastly and most importantly, a lot more people took tracts from us after the game than when we usually go before the game.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was accompanied by my friend Drew aka Bruce and he brought along a University of Texas student named Nathaniel. Nathaniel is on fire for the Lord and he quickly began handing out tracts and even started preaching!!!!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had some technical difficulties with the amplification equipment and so we had to preach without it. However, the crowd was close enough to were they still able to hear.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for this young brother that he may continue to boldly proclaim the gospel. Also pray for the myriads of people who heard the gospel and took tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 14, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Agustin, Bruce and myself had a wonderful time witnessing to fans at the Texas Longhorns game this weekend. We showed up about three hours before game time and took turns open air preaching, and handing out gospel tracts.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            My friend Agustin preached in Spanish and Bruce and I preached in English. We tried to engage people in conversation but everyone seemed to be in a rush to get to the stadium.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We did receive a lot of encouragement from the Christians in the crowd. Overall, it was a great time and we had some sweet fellowship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday,  Jan 6, '24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francisco Preaching outside CFP Championship Fan Central,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           George R. Brown Convention Center
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1001 Avenida De Las Americas
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Houston, TX 77010
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZW1He_wjL9nfxtf_ktNST6vv5uGpHwOdaUqDI0Mbm-_0YaS98-Ki8T7-uKBxy6Ppn6oOp93B1cT0KzmBfmLzr0LTbymJ2zaYrQre89tmfUR_sCOgzANT9A9jNwMkzwytHnatYBSgaaud5h64tBC508etVl67Ae7pHWN81fuufuLidxdP8w-eIQMy0ze0Xqf6zY&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francisco preaching outside Shell Energy Stadium.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWL0GwqbhHwO_z7yTtvPRvYgE9437MHDI0v1LOdFxUxXuVT05PvNKPI_HDiLW1twAeqUi1roEcsU7T302V1AH1PY3BYQmfSh2xj86a7VU_2T1Zh-mFBjwwgqjNzEsRMBlLEDQtmm5Q3yRwBPw6brR4AI-1X9qsanXShNluzAld5TcZXSYOs-7d4tNvRuFYdVyI&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Francisco+Nieves-1e9f6503.png" length="1967129" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 30 Sep 2024 15:57:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-francisco-nieves</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Francisco+Nieves-1e9f6503.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Francisco+Nieves-1e9f6503.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Joshua Chavez</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-joshua-chavez</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Joshua Chavez
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           AT &amp;amp; T Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Chavez-845628e8.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: September 15, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist who joined: Will Dieterich
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "It was a short outreach before gathering at my local church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We arrived and were able to do a 2hr outreach from 10-12."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Friday, Dec 29, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cotton Bowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Chavez-845628e8.png" length="963988" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Sep 2024 17:31:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-joshua-chavez</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Chavez-845628e8.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Chavez-845628e8.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>KYFITT “Where’s the Gospel?” Workshop '24</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kyfitt-wheres-the-gospel-workshop-24</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Keep Your Finger in the Text “What’s the Point?” Workshop
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           October 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           7:00 PM CT/8:00 PM ET
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/459085280_10221026905702927_2137850628632795341_n.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We would all agree as open-air preachers we are to preach the Gospel, but what does that look like?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is encompassed when we say, "the gospel?"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Can the Gospel be found from Genesis - Revelation without forcing it?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The workshop will take place over 12 weeks and consist of 8 instructional sessions and 4 small group sessions. We will pursue gospel connections grounded in God’s word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In this workshop, as an open-air preacher, you will:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           · Receive expert instruction from seasoned preachers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           · Examine a text to determine legitimate connections to Christ grounded in text.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           · Recognize the various functions and facets of the gospel as God's plan of redemption unfolds culminating in Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           · Steer clear of preaching the same gospel in every sermon as well as recognize the pitfalls and warnings in preaching Christ and him crucified.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           · Apply what you've learned to biblical texts through interactive, hands-on examples and small group sessions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is a unique opportunity to join a community of like-minded preachers and share your experiences and ideas. Through interactive lessons, discussions, and assignments, you will have the opportunity to interact and apply what you've learned, as well as receive personalized feedback on your work.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whether you are a seasoned preacher or just starting out, this workshop is an opportunity to enhance your skills and deepen your connection with the word of God discovering how God is accomplishing his plan of redemption which culminates in Jesus Christ, and bring its message to life in your sermons.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Registration:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Find out more information and register at
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Keep Your Finger in the Text.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             ﻿
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Click
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Register"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            &amp;amp; enter your information in the
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Get Started"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            section.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please feel free to reach out with any questions:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           George Whitefield Preaching Academy &amp;amp;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Keep Your Finger in the Text Trainer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell: 920.322.5089
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Email: heathpucel@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/459085280_10221026905702927_2137850628632795341_n.jpg" length="76159" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Sep 2024 13:37:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kyfitt-wheres-the-gospel-workshop-24</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/459085280_10221026905702927_2137850628632795341_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/459085280_10221026905702927_2137850628632795341_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Grey Cup!</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/grey-cup-2024</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grey Cup!  Vancouver - Winter Olympics
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Vancouver, Canada hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010.  About 10 of us traveled to Vancouver for Gospel ministry.  Vancouver has a good metro system,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.translink.ca/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Translink
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , that brought fans and local citizens into the downtown area to hear the Gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            My memory is that were lots of people in the downtown area which means this trip, Lord willing, to Vancouver for the
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.greycupfestival.ca/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grey Cup November 14 - 17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            should likewise be an excellent opportunity.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Presently, an airbnb near the WB Cottonwood Ave @ Hailey St. transit stop, is being used for our accommodations. Should be a wonderful time of ministry in the city.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Fast+-+Frequent.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Grey+Cup+-+US.png" length="5205758" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 12 Sep 2024 19:17:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/grey-cup-2024</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Grey+Cup+-+US.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>College Football Championship '25 - Atlanta - Jan 18 - 20</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/college-football-championship-25-atlanta-jan-18-20</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           College Football Championship '25 - Atlanta - Jan 18 - 20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Atlanta, GA is hosting the Championship Game for the new College Football Playoff Format. The game is scheduled to be played Monday, January 20, 2025 at Mercedes Stadium.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Scheduled events on Saturday, January 18 - 20: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://atlcfp2025.com/playoff-fan-central/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Playoff Fan Central
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://atlcfp2025.com/playoff-playlist/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           AT&amp;amp;T Playoff Playlist Live!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            at the Georgia World Congress Center.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The official Atlanta web site:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://atlcfp2025.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           ATLCFP2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Championship Game begins at 7:45 PM EST at
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.mercedesbenzstadium.com/?r=0" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mercedes Benz Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            .
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFC+-25+Atlanta.webp" length="294432" type="image/webp" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 12 Sep 2024 18:36:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/college-football-championship-25-atlanta-jan-18-20</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CFC+-25+Atlanta.webp">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Freedom Church Bangladesh: Open Air Preaching August 31</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/freedom-church-bangladesh-open-air-preaching-august-31</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open Air Preaching in Bogura
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           by Rashal Rana (Freedom Church Bangladesh)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dear Brothers, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today, we went to preach the gospel message to construction laborers in Bibi Pukur, Bogura, where 56 laborers heard the Good News from us. We shared the gospel message from John 3. Many of the laborers were very interested in learning more about Jesus. Some of their names are Manik, Ahad, Lal Mia, Kobir, Hasnat, Jamil, Ripon, Jakir, Motin, Babor, Taher, and Forid. Please pray for them as they continue to learn from us. We collected their contact numbers and will follow up with them regularly. They were very happy to learn about the Word of God. However, about 8-9 percent of them were not happy with the gospel; they were very conservative and angry with us. Please pray for them as well, that their hearts may be opened to the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I give you permission to share this message with your church, friends, and family so that they can continue to support and pray for us. I also invite you to get involved in our ministry by supporting and praying for us. We would love to pray for you as well, so please share your prayer requests with us at this email: freedomchurchbangladesh@gmail.com.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           --
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many Blessings! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rashal Rana 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Freedom Church Bangladesh is an organization that is dedicated to preaching the Good News by open-air preaching, outreaches and other programs. They emphasize discipleship and sharing the Gospel with newcomers, especially those who are new to the Bible. Christians in Bangladesh comprises 0.30% of the population, which is why FCB is pioneering Christian ministry in hopes to sow seeds of the Christian faith to this primarily Islamic country.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            To know more, please visit their page at:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/FreedomChurchBangladesh" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/FreedomChurchBangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg" length="6933" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 02 Sep 2024 14:10:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/freedom-church-bangladesh-open-air-preaching-august-31</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Michael Seethaler</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-michael-seethaler</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Michael Seethaler
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kenan Memorial Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/seethaler_michael" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Michael+Seethaler.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Michael+Seethaler.png" length="1469679" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 Aug 2024 16:30:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-michael-seethaler</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Michael+Seethaler.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Michael+Seethaler.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Jacob Nelson</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-jacob-nelson</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Jacob Nelson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hancock Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/nelson_jacob" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jacob+Nelson.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Jacob's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jacob+Nelson.png" length="1065951" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 Aug 2024 16:20:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-jacob-nelson</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jacob+Nelson.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jacob+Nelson.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - David Doerman</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-david-doerman</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: David Doerman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nippert Stadium &amp;amp; Paycor Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/doerman_david" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Doerman.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on David's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/doerman_david" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Doerman+2.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on David's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Doerman+-+SFOI1000+-+1.jpeg"/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Doerman.png" length="1467977" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 Aug 2024 15:41:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-david-doerman</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Doerman.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Doerman.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Ryan Denton</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-ryan-denton</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Ryan Denton
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jones AT&amp;amp;T Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ryan+Denton.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ryan+Denton.png" length="1250117" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 Aug 2024 15:10:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-ryan-denton</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ryan+Denton.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ryan+Denton.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Freedom Church Bangladesh: Prayer Request and Relief Effort</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/freedom-church-bangladesh-prayer-request-and-relief-effort</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer Request and Relief Efforts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           by Rashal Rana (Freedom Church Bangladesh)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bangladesh is currently experiencing
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/26/asia/bangladesh-flood-disaster-india-intl-hnk-dst/index.html" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           extreme rains and floods
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            . FCB is committed to help in the relief efforts. Please read FCB's prayer request and appeal here:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/files/uploaded/Flooding_in_Bangladesh%21%21%21.pdf" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer Request for the flood-affected areas in Bangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Freedom Church Bangladesh is an organization that is dedicated to preaching the Good News by open-air preaching, outreaches and other programs. They emphasize discipleship and sharing the Gospel with newcomers, especially those who are new to the Bible. Christians in Bangladesh comprises 0.30% of the population, which is why FCB is pioneering Christian ministry in hopes to sow seeds of the Christian faith to this primarily Islamic country.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            To know more, please visit their page at:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/FreedomChurchBangladesh" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/FreedomChurchBangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg" length="6933" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Aug 2024 14:23:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/freedom-church-bangladesh-prayer-request-and-relief-effort</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000: Green Bay Invite</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-green-bay-invite</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Good afternoon, brothers and sisters.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And we are back! It seems like only a few weeks ago we were winding down the 2023 season, and here we are. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The opening of the 2024 NFL season is upon us, and it is sure to be an interesting season.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are partnering again with the SFOI 1,000, committing to preach at every home 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Packer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            game. This is 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           a tremendous privilege and opportunity as we minister, proclaim, and share the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world so those who might hear will believe in His name and be saved. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Will you partner with us to help? Whether it is engaging in passing out gospel tracts, 1-1 conversations, praying, or coming out to observe, we would love to have you join us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The last preseason game is at home this Saturday, August 24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           th, vs. the Baltimore Ravens, with kickoff at 12:00 pm. Heath Pucel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            will be leading the outreach; he will be on Armed Forces Drive near the Don Hutson Center around 9:00-9:15 am. For parking, we are able to use the Highland Crest Baptist Church lot.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you can make it, it is imperative to let me know!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Let's lift up the saving message of Jesus Christ. If you are unable to make it, please be in prayer for us as well as the many fans who hear the name of Christ proclaimed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you have any questions, please let Heath know; he can be reached at 920-322-5089.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You are receiving this email because, in the past, you have shown an interest in biblical evangelism by either attending a training event or participating in past evangelistic efforts. I want to make you aware of an opportunity in which you can participate again or for the first time. If you wish to no longer receive notification of upcoming events, please let me know.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Soli Deo Gloria!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           --
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath J. Pucel
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fishermen's Call
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1691 Blackjack Way
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Green Bay, WI 54313-9260
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:920.434.4889" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           920.322.5089
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            or
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:920.434.4889" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           920.434.4889
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:heath@fishermenscall.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           heath@fishermenscall.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Check out our ministry at:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://fishermenscall.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           http://fishermenscall.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/SFOI-1000-Football" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+1000+NFL+-+CFBl.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Fri, 23 Aug 2024 16:22:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-green-bay-invite</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Preach Christ crucified!</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/preach-christ-crucified</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preach Christ crucified!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Apostle Paul writes the following in Romans 15:18-19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           18 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           19 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and all around as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At Pentecost when the Spirit spoke to the devout Jews from every nation in Acts 2 He said:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            "...we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty deeds of God.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God's work that men are called to belive in to be reconciled with God is His work in and through Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           II Corinthians 5:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            says, "...God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself..."
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The Scriptures are straight forward that for man to be reconciled to God they must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.  So preach Christ clearly so they can hear and Lord willing repent and believe on Him and be reconciled to God.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/tract-glory+of+christ+%282%29.jpg" length="477807" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Aug 2024 10:37:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/preach-christ-crucified</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/tract-glory+of+christ+%282%29.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/tract-glory+of+christ+%282%29.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>DNC Convention</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/dncpreevent</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/dnc-convention" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/DNC+Convention+2024.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           DNC Convention August 19 - 22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The DNC Convention outreach begins tomorrow in Chicago.  Lord willing 5 of us will preach for 2 days and 4 of us the remaining days.  Hopefully some local evangelists will join us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Our mission is to proclaim Christ to the souls in Chicago during the Convention in busy locations away from the anticipated high security.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Pray for our time here:  liberty to preach; the power of the Kingdom of God to be with us as we preach Christ; the Lord to grant repentance unto life to many souls; for there to be much good soil; the Mighty work of God in Christ to be clearly presented; joyful fellowship; the Civil Magistrate to be successful in their work; and the Name of Jesus Christ made great in Chicago and the Great Commission fulfilled.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/DNC+Convention+2024.jpg" length="130359" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Aug 2024 00:55:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/dncpreevent</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/DNC+Convention+2024.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Freedom Church Bangladesh: Salam's Journey to Faith</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/freedom-church-bangladesh-salam-s-journey-to-faith</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Salam's Journey to Faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           by Rashal Rana (Freedom Church Bangladesh)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/salam.JPG"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Salam
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (pictured above)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            grew up in the small village of Nongola, Bogura, Bangladesh, where his family practiced Islam with deep devotion. From a young age, Salam was taught to uphold the traditions and teachings of his faith, and he carried these beliefs into adulthood. His life was centered around his family, his community, and his work as a local merchant.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            One day, while traveling to a neighboring city for business, Salam met a Christian missionary named Ripon. Ripon was part of a small group quietly serving and helping people in various ways. Salam was initially wary of Ripon and his group, given his background and the religious tensions in the region. However, their genuine kindness and commitment to helping others piqued his curiosity. During their brief encounter, Ripon and Salam exchanged pleasantries, and Ripon offered Salam a small booklet about Jesus Christ.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Salam accepted it out of politeness, though he had no intention of reading it. However, a few days later, while traveling back to his village, Salam found himself reflecting on the encounter and decided to read the booklet. As Salam read, he was struck by the story of Jesus—particularly the emphasis on love, forgiveness, and the idea that God loved everyone unconditionally. He was deeply moved by the message of grace and the concept of a personal relationship with God, which was quite different from what he had known.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Over the next several months, Salam found himself increasingly drawn to the teachings of Jesus. He began studying the Bible more deeply and seeking out information about Christianity. His exploration was not without challenges, as he faced criticism and opposition from his family and community, who were concerned about his changing beliefs. Despite these difficulties, Salam felt a profound sense of peace and purpose as he learned more about Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            He began attending a local church and joined a small Bible study group. The support and fellowship he found in this new community were instrumental in his spiritual growth. One evening, after much contemplation and prayer, Salam decided to publicly declare his faith in Jesus Christ. He was baptized in a small, private ceremony, surrounded by his new friends and fellow believers. It was a deeply emotional and transformative moment for him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Salam's conversion was a life-changing experience. He felt a renewed sense of hope and direction and began sharing his faith with others, even as he continued to face challenges. His journey was marked by both trials and triumphs, but through it all, he experienced a profound transformation and a deepened relationship with God. Please pray for Salam as he continues to walk by faith in Him.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Freedom Church Bangladesh is an organization that is dedicated to preaching the Good News by open-air preaching, outreaches and other programs. They emphasize discipleship and sharing the Gospel with newcomers, especially those who are new to the Bible. Christians in Bangladesh comprises 0.30% of the population, which is why FCB is pioneering Christian ministry in hopes to sow seeds of the Christian faith to this primarily Islamic country.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            To know more, please visit their page at:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/FreedomChurchBangladesh" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/FreedomChurchBangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Videos of Open-Air Preaching in Bangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg" length="6933" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 26 Jul 2024 15:27:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/freedom-church-bangladesh-salam-s-journey-to-faith</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>FCB: Updates in Spreading the Faith</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/fcb-updates-in-spreading-the-faith</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open-Air Preaching in Bangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Freedom Church Bangladesh is an organization that is dedicated to preaching the Good News by open-air preaching, outreaches and other programs. They emphasize discipleship and sharing the Gospel with newcomers, especially those who are new to the Bible. Christians in Bangladesh comprises 0.30% of the population, which is why FCB is pioneering Christian ministry in hopes to sow seeds of the Christian faith to this primarily Islamic country.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            To know more, please visit their page at:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/FreedomChurchBangladesh" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/FreedomChurchBangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Rashal Rana is sharing the Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ through Freedom Church Bangladesh, an organization based in Bogura, Bangladesh.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/WhatsApp+Image+2024-07-14+at+00.55.41_87a92af4.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Videos of Open-Air Preaching in Bangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg" length="6933" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jul 2024 16:14:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/fcb-updates-in-spreading-the-faith</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Preaching Christ in Bangladesh</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/preaching-christ-in-bangladesh</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open-Air Preaching in Bangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Rashal Rana is sharing the Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ through Freedom Church Bangladesh, an organization based in Bogura, Bangladesh that is dedicated to preaching the Good News.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            To know more, please visit their page at:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/FreedomChurchBangladesh" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/FreedomChurchBangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bible Distribution
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bible+Distribution+-+1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Alfe+and+Arman.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Rashal Open-Air Preaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/bb2.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Videos of Open-Air Preaching in Bangladesh
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg" length="6933" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Jul 2024 15:27:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/preaching-christ-in-bangladesh</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/335061451_893911758487347_5987232035867986531_n.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Hall of Fame Game</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/hall-of-fame-game</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           NFL Hall Of Fame Game Canton, OH
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Aug 1 - Aug 4, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/hall-of-fame-game.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You are invited to join Adam Wright and his team to proclaim the Gospel in Canton, OH, during the Hall of Fame Games, on Aug 1-4.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Contact
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Adam Wright
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            at
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="tel:330-904-0999" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           330-904-0999
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            if you want to join in any of these outreaches.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herewith the detailed schedule:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thursday, August 1st
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Event:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            NFL Football Hall Of Fame game outreach
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Time:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Meet at 4:30pm for outreach 5-9pm 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Address:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
             Meet at Fisher Foods parking lot. 4403 Cleveland Ave NW, Canton, OH 44709
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Friday, August 2nd
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Event:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            First Friday in downtown Canton
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Time:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            6-10pm. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Address:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Meet at 5th and Cleveland Ave. NW in front of VXI
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ⁠Saturday morning, August 3rd
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Event:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The Canton Repository Parade 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Time:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Meet at 5:30am for outreach 6am-9am.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Address:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Meet at Fisher Foods parking lot. 4403 Cleveland Ave NW, Canton, OH 44709
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Saturday afternoon, August 3rd
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Event:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
              5th Hall Of Fame Fun Fest 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Time:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Meet at 2:30pm for outreach 3pm-7pm.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Address:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Meet at Fisher Foods parking lot. 4403 Cleveland Ave NW, Canton, OH 44709
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Sunday evening, August 4th 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Event:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
              Concert For Legends: Carrie Underwood outreach
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Time:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Meet at 6:00pm for outreach 3pm-7pm.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Address:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Meet at Fisher Foods parking lot. 4403 Cleveland Ave NW, Canton, OH 44709
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/hall-of-fame-game.jpg" length="40059" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jul 2024 21:58:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/hall-of-fame-game</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/hall-of-fame-game.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/hall-of-fame-game.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Copa America -  Diego Sandoval</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/copa-america-diego-sandoval</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           June 31
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            State Farm Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Diego Sandoval
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/copa+diego+sandoval.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Photos from today’s outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Copa America:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mexico vs Ecuador Soccer Game
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The gospel was preached and praise the Lord many gospels of John in spanish were distributed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0OffDOk2oVzNCYuU--xauY5JqPA4-R6U-3whfe4uqrtzQ57NuHF50vuNU_aem_129AaDix37GPD0tZz00XDQ" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           sfoi.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://elcorderoesdigno.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2wGnyIuqJtyfybmV0RMrc9hqabk4NyCF_KxL8VLhVXFqMFq2-NL5PKgbw_aem_7dXJNf_Ih5TtR1HIIxUhvA" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           elcorderoesdigno.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Diego will be also be outside of the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/ballpark/information" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Chase Field Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            in downtown Phoenix for some of the home games this season. If you would like to join them please contact Diego at 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:GoOutandPreach@gmail.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           GoOutandPreach@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/copa+diego+sandoval.jpg" length="211993" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jul 2024 14:49:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/copa-america-diego-sandoval</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/copa+diego+sandoval.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/copa+diego+sandoval.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 -  Diego Sandoval</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/diegosandoval-june14</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           June 14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Chase Field
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Diego Sandoval
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Diego-Sandoval---Arizona-Diamond-Backs-.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           June 3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for tonight’s outreach at Chase Field - Dbacks vs White Sox.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0M156m6EKLdDCySfU0TQAcBJoW64f4qFXk71OUiP9iOIJKP3axz86vJao_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           sfoi.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://elcorderoesdigno.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1YIOrFoTkTlnb1ww1QZ0-yzrAzs60Vu4OchaOG9KCqbp3MvXCAzwf6Bn4_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           elcorderoesdigno.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Diego will be outside of the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/ballpark/information" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Chase Field Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            in downtown Phoenix for some of the home games this season. If you would like to join them please contact Diego at 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:GoOutandPreach@gmail.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           GoOutandPreach@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Diego-Sandoval---Arizona-Diamond-Backs-.jpg" length="253320" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Jun 2024 14:17:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/diegosandoval-june14</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Diego-Sandoval---Arizona-Diamond-Backs-.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Diego-Sandoval---Arizona-Diamond-Backs-.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 -  Diego Sandoval</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/diego-sandoval-june3</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           June 3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Chase Field
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Diego Sandoval
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Diego-Sandoval---Arizona-Diamond-Backs-.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           June 3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for tonights preaching at Chase Field. Diamonbacks vs Angels Baseball game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As I arrived had a conversation with two JWs (David &amp;amp; Hayden) I shared Isaiah 44:6, Revelation 1:17 In Isaiah Jehova God says ”I AM the first and I AM the last” and in Revelation we read Jesus telling John the same. Jesus is God!  They could not comment, so I told them to research and that I would look for them next time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsfoi.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1eIQ_PB78hPvDM64SAzzwblhZyr9YIPfKH0xMjVQsZR6UrkyFMaezy8qs_aem_AUY-n0GB3c8rYdVENti0-IkNy2aWJPD99KpMpj7QhLm-q-8nnMxNh2kNPS20LaaY_89MP0gGiP99dyFFNRdOI6xq&amp;amp;h=AT3wNkcuD4a0hHGLFGH0v9cWQhsD2MZ2grTz23WGAq85eVhcqMtn2-Pfv_BOHsK6U31TwkB-TM-DKcf6P6A6bE6Rtfwgjl84fCdrTukb3iYT30w87I_KDz5DTW31gDK0oA&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;amp;c[0]=AT2GxvvkbLCY05KaBDuO8ZwnZzNRaOHJxWYb5_r_iuBnQw8vOJFyyOke-rWi165s5pCdKJhVYlpTPfEvEEFoaiZhCTCozUNsM2tygMSZUHUMQKijkST331Yg11lxIFNhQfL4aRW1MnUNLGG-F28kgJp_TdfG5bHimXX41VFgz5og_amwERa5" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           sfoi.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://elcorderoesdigno.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR30N9trrGh0-9ZANrX7LhmAxk3UYjtbAHZ_R61n3IaAzqCOb-4tiMzuESw_aem_AUYbO5Jo0XG8HpRvQMcYwLTqSu4mcHOQZ7iN-HjRlAlYATXHXfHGus4AknETgIHd51qMn8bnP0tueNCJRzxFHmOn" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           elcorderoesdigno.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Diego will be outside of the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/ballpark/information" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Chase Field Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            in downtown Phoenix for some of the home games this season. If you would like to join them please contact Diego at 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:GoOutandPreach@gmail.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           GoOutandPreach@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Diego-Sandoval---Arizona-Diamond-Backs-.jpg" length="253320" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Jun 2024 15:09:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/diego-sandoval-june3</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Diego-Sandoval---Arizona-Diamond-Backs-.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Diego-Sandoval---Arizona-Diamond-Backs-.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>KYFITT "What's the Point" Workshop '24</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kyfitt-workshop-24</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Keep Your Finger in the Text “What’s the Point?” Workshop
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           June 11 – September 10, 2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tuesday: 7:00-8:15 p.m. CT/8:00-9:15 p.m. ET
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT-+WTP.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As a preacher and teacher of God’s word, you play a critical role in proclaiming the word of God and persuading your audience. We understand that preparing sermons can be a challenging task, but with the right tools and guidance, it can also be an incredibly rewarding experience.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The workshop will take place over 12 weeks and consist of 8 instructional sessions and 4 small group sessions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In this workshop, as an open-air preacher, you will:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Receive expert instruction from seasoned preachers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Examine a text to determine its primary focus and point.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Recognize the functions of various text types so that you can understand and analyze the Bible as a whole.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Steer clear of preaching if a minor point is not the main point; recognizing what God intended in a passage.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Apply what you've learned to biblical texts through interactive, hands-on examples and small group sessions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is a unique opportunity to join a community of like-minded preachers and share your experiences and ideas. Through interactive lessons, discussions, and assignments, you will have the opportunity to interact and apply what you've learned, as well as receive personalized feedback on your work.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whether you are a seasoned preacher or just starting out, this workshop is an opportunity to enhance your skills and deepen your connection with the word of God through discovering what God is accomplishing in a text and bring its message to life in your sermons.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Details:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Keep Your Finger in the Text “What’s the Point” Workshop
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            June 11 – September 10, 2024
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Time:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Tuesday: 7:00-8:15 p.m. CT/8:00-9:15 p.m. ET
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cost:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            $150
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Registration:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Find out more information and register at
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Keep Your Finger in the Text.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
                        Click
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Register"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            &amp;amp; enter your information in the
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Get Started"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            section.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please feel free to reach out with any questions:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           George Whitefield Preaching Academy &amp;amp;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Keep Your Finger in the Text Trainer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cell: 920.322.5089
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Email: heathpucel@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT-+WTP.jpg" length="43338" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Jun 2024 15:07:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kyfitt-workshop-24</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT-+WTP.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/KYFITT-+WTP.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 -  Steven Kendall</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/steven-kendall-may30</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Pacers Game
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (May 30) and WNBA Indy Fever home game (June 1)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.gainbridgefieldhouse.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gainbridge Fieldhouse
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Steven Kendall
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           May 30- Pacers Game
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/steven123.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/665937bac05a66.80921087.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/665937bab70003.25290327.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/665939a98ad0c5.76197074.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Steven:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            If anyone wants to experience the gospels and the book of the Acts of the apostles, come join me on the streets of Indy to Preach Christ incarnation, perfect life , sacrificial death and resurrection and you will see spiritual warfare quickly as the demon possessed people come out in rage. To God be all the glory. Lesson learned always get to who Jesus is. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           June 1 - WNBA Indy Fever home game
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Steven:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Another sold out WNBA Indy Fever home game. Preach to a captive audience as the people waited for the doors to open. As always preach Roman's 10:9-17 but then preach on God love. John 3:16; 1Corinthians 13:1-8; John 21:15-19; 1 John 3:1-10 &amp;amp; Philippians 2:1-11.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you for your prayers. To God be all the glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/665bc205b62826.82670641.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For ministry schedules and other inquiries, contact Steven Kendall at: 219-885-8842
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           or
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           stevenkendall0711@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI 1000- NBA:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/indiana-pacers" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/indiana-pacers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg" length="253842" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 Jun 2024 16:34:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/steven-kendall-may30</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 -  Steven Kendall</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/steven-kendall-may27</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pacers Game and memorial Day Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           May 27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.gainbridgefieldhouse.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gainbridge Fieldhouse
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and Circle Center Mall
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Steven Kendall
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Circle Center Mall and Pacers Game
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/66553cc7de0771.37675739.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/66553cced7f8a5.09815355.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/66553cdb285961.18948463.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/66553cdb64e261.57517810.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/66553d0d541059.40428490.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/66553d3a1c3326.67614696.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/66553d2fce5637.86903226.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/66553d184380e1.46074486.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For ministry schedules and other inquiries, contact Steven Kendall at: 219-885-8842
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           or
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           stevenkendall0711@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI 1000- NBA:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/indiana-pacers" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/indiana-pacers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg" length="253842" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 29 May 2024 17:21:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/steven-kendall-may27</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 -  Steven Kendall</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/steven-kendall-may17</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Pacers Games
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           May 17 &amp;amp; 18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.gainbridgefieldhouse.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gainbridge Fieldhouse
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Steven Kendall
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friday night Pacers Game (May 17)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers-jeremy.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/6648262449f471.10012826.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pacers  Game (May 18)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pacers won so they advance to be 1. of 4 teams left . More preaching. Praise God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/66482ad19efb11.88047447.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/66482c8ae28471.46680168.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/66482c8ab68318.35173002.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/66482c8ae28471.46680168.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For ministry schedules and other inquiries, contact Steven Kendall at: 219-885-8842
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           or
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           stevenkendall0711@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI 1000- NBA:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/indiana-pacers" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/indiana-pacers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg" length="253842" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2024 13:37:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/steven-kendall-may17</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 -  Steven Kendall</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-steven-kendall</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Pacers Games
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           May 10 &amp;amp; 12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.gainbridgefieldhouse.com" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gainbridge Fieldhouse
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Steven Kendall
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friday night Pacers Game (May 10)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers3.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers2.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pacers Playoff Game (May 12)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+6.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers4.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For ministry schedules and other inquiries, contact Steven Kendall at: 219-885-8842
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           or
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           stevenkendall0711@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI 1000- NBA:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/indiana-pacers" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/indiana-pacers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg" length="253842" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2024 16:02:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-steven-kendall</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pacers+sfoi1000+banners-f045dbb8.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kentucky Derby '24 -  Steven Kendall</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-24-steven-kendall</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Kentucky Derby '24
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           May 2 - 5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Louisville, KY
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Steven Kendall
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/stevendb-6e35a218.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tales of Salvation at the Derby
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/db1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/db5-f97da836.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/db10.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/db14-5ea0f127.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For ministry schedules and other inquiries, contact Steven Kendall at: 219-885-8842
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           or
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           stevenkendall0711@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI 1000- NBA:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/indiana-pacers" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/indiana-pacers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kentucky+Derby+24.png" length="2721291" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2024 16:33:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-24-steven-kendall</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kentucky+Derby+24.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kentucky+Derby+24.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 -  Diego Sandoval</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/my-post325bf7ab</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Diego Sandoval
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Footprint Center
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/phoenix+suns.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: 4/26/24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francisco Preaching outside CFP Championship Fan Central,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           NBA Phoenix Suns Playoffs
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Downtown Phoenix, Arizona
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsfoi.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2Z05TfTJ0xdnF3FXAg0eJ34gPG5sKqHCcCGWEPS0oHnvFc3hoQeYE5TAs_aem_AUSoxBfCCbGSYlX9DM2woKW6gHEghtgfKQXXhBxbSAmbVqcJ5DGPZorGN_DQCYndBHQ92DkSYu_S1j6NhpUYCkZ_&amp;amp;h=AT2EhAsPII2rC10MGGmLCiAewtsFHROZ1sqgk3XnJ7f_CAN-b6PozpOb5MjuuqNftnKGJLBwjdL9nZ23j5hSApvF2CMKxrQJwAsd__Widt7shMyim2-HCBzjpEI8YiH9bw&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;amp;c[0]=AT0QtNyDFfZLX2RcEu6ORYQYD4tW4sz25tB4LjfbXL5GU42FQtGGT9GlfXK1e6Hq2qF7Z-i8pYZ1fg1rT0HFppNjDLlrew9FlYVDG_YfNgnNqmRyylbAhUW8TMx_fw2NORRKnwEDfrg0qDy1BqEiqvJV-sH25zgkdLZa0RnWlt46-eayg09ChtYo8XTPAdrGbwxcV1o2triipasPLJ5s_5OQJns" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           sfoi.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://elcorderoesdigno.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1LMioukmcTrytNZ5P54jDLrQMw2O2yUfdQPyqHQ0V8IRmvn-5OMol5TCw_aem_AUQo55FVe_qMhmBEeITx6_pnNngJ-X88kC6_ABqrMHG5x3jAibqw5Kqn3zn2ZJ7-1Ij_puO0kj5H5P8TP40Cv4iB" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           elcorderoesdigno.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZW1He_wjL9nfxtf_ktNST6vv5uGpHwOdaUqDI0Mbm-_0YaS98-Ki8T7-uKBxy6Ppn6oOp93B1cT0KzmBfmLzr0LTbymJ2zaYrQre89tmfUR_sCOgzANT9A9jNwMkzwytHnatYBSgaaud5h64tBC508etVl67Ae7pHWN81fuufuLidxdP8w-eIQMy0ze0Xqf6zY&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/phoenix+suns.jpg" length="234879" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2024 15:42:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/my-post325bf7ab</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/phoenix+suns.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/phoenix+suns.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>NFL Draft '24 -  Steven Kendall</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-24-steven-kendall</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            NFL Draft '24
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           April 25-27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Detroit, Michigan
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Steven Kendall
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/1ggtg.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bringing People to Christ at the NFL Draft
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/nfl1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/nfld-3.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/nfld-4.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/nfld+5.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/nfld+6.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/nfld-8.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/nfld+9.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/nfld+10.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/nfld-7.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           James (Cartwright) had may dialogue with many people Saturday and throughout the weekend. Including a professing Christian, some Jewish boys... One was a Christian and asked James to tell them about Christ. James spent maybe 20 minutes or more answering questions.. James also was using apologetic with the black Hebrew Israelites.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For ministry schedules and other inquiries, contact Steven Kendall at: 219-885-8842
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           or
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           stevenkendall0711@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI 1000- NBA:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/indiana-pacers" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/indiana-pacers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFl-Draft--24.png" length="2053725" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2024 16:43:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-24-steven-kendall</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFl-Draft--24.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFl-Draft--24.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mardi Gras 2024: David Robert</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/mardi-gras-2024-david-robert</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Mardi Gras parades in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes that I plan on attending for evangelism and open-air preaching to the thousands of lost people are the following:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mardi+Gras+Schedule-2bcc7b2f.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If anyone would like to attend, please let me know. We MUST arrive one hour prior to the parades, so plan accordingly. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gideon New Testaments and gospel tracts will be provided for distribution. Sample openers for open-air preaching will also be available. However, the gospel of Jesus Christ must be preached. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Faith comes by HEARING, and HEARING by the word of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Feel free to pass this message along. Above all, please pray that the Holy Spirit will prepare hearts to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ, so they can be saved from their sins and the wrath of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A fisher of men, until the nets are full,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/robert_david" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Robert
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            (601-590-1990 or graceandtruthevangelism@gmail.com)
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Dark+Blue+Modern+Business+Banner.png" length="1609888" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 26 Jan 2024 16:07:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/mardi-gras-2024-david-robert</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Dark+Blue+Modern+Business+Banner.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Dark+Blue+Modern+Business+Banner.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Matthew Redondo</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-matthew-redondo</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Matthew Redondo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mountain America Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/redondo_matthew" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Matthew+Redondo.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click on Matthew's banner above to read more about him as an SFOI Partnering Evangelist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Mike Ford
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Had a rare severe rain storm. I thought the game was going to be cancelled but it was not. Mike and I got to preach. The crowds were great but not very receptive. Gave out some tracts but not many. While still close to the main entrance, the police have moved us across the street, so we are not in the best spot anymore but with reasonable access to the crowd. One brother accidentally bit his tongue while preaching and it started to bleed pretty good but he kept on preaching wet and cold!!! Praise the Lord!
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Monday, Jan 1, '24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preaching at Fiesta Bowl, College Football, State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsfoi.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1pLs4T_Sq8SQMaKoXVsRyVOsfuW8qnQvlgXKJaRKy6wyg-WgL0edB6Rlo&amp;amp;h=AT1ujTPIjtAXeLFI8iRtHoG8B8lnMuhkketPqqvds4ZkyeI1dWMqjuPaMKg-F04NtAxLX5bjnKehzpns1qvKIXUQ9ljxeM8hk3FaJMGSG7vE2VxNwlPcbESwKamsQN5GvRIbQ1c&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;amp;c[0]=AT10e_jMsWyyKtUj1WFTl1uMkShqv3ISLnhflPa42pf1sdGcR5JMFtu6DmJ4zceyryrWq7NYiFNRFTMudD94LlwAxX5wbSg9V7ZcQa1T03xr9_7O-quB6ZAyVS8BezLpKSuD4XYq2T58BuYbsOMZRYbWigPnYqnIXZBdo7qrEQTd49_A7iBvOGpMsQoDy6TZPXqmevkB3xSLMQ" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           sfoi.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew Redondo open air preaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Matthew+Redondo.png" length="1264062" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jan 2024 16:55:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-matthew-redondo</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Matthew+Redondo.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Matthew+Redondo.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Austin Keeler</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-austin-keeler</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Austin Keeler
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cardinal Stadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Austin+Keeler.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Nov 25, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for our efforts at the game today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Austin+Keeler.png" length="1109501" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Dec 2023 19:46:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-austin-keeler</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Austin+Keeler.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Austin+Keeler.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Rod Grubb</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-rod-grub-albertsons-stadium</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Rod Grubb
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Boise State University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Rod+Grubb.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monday
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           , December 22, 2025
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists who joined: Rodney Whitt, Mike Burns, &amp;amp; Danny Beck
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This outreach was very iffy because of the nearly constant heavy rain, the past two days. By the grace of God, the rain miraculously stopped as we began our two-hour outreach, just prior to the noon kickoff! We were blessed to hand out nearly a thousand (mostly Christmas MDB’s) tracts, collectively. In total, we enjoyed about 10 solid convos, as well. We concluded the outreach with my two (8-10 minute) open-airs that focused on the “Reason for the Season.” I read from the gospel of Luke 1:16-38 &amp;amp; 2:8-21. I was blessed to have a long line of fans, who were waiting to purchase their tickets and enter the stadium, to preach to!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6%2F&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZaQj1QvknuQVrp9w8uIDYaW_D5ze_6LFICh3_N0scR_eI2lXb-oYINEbCUln0vOZjGvOj_QPj7x0mkGBmJ6YpI6hIXWcLTr3h49puXLxKyu1Pk-8JWbpJBru5ZiZF0b6RCNGlg7CicTOKUOG_xK4QK1ZmiSYSE0LWE_bqMZiYVt4_AeIbqhD0J5Us5_IqGD_bsjA30IR-jbOQkgBELouC_g&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Outreach — Open-Air Video (12/22/2025)
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “The Reason for the Season”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            This is the second of two open-air videos from yesterday’s Famous Idaho Potato  Bowl game. Unfortunately, the audio from the first open-air game was barely audible.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Both videos were fairly similar, with the exception of the scripture verses. For the  first open-air, I opened with Luke 2:8-21. The second OA, I opened with Luke 1:26-38. Each video ended with the “good person” test and law-based gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6%2F&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZaQj1QvknuQVrp9w8uIDYaW_D5ze_6LFICh3_N0scR_eI2lXb-oYINEbCUln0vOZjGvOj_QPj7x0mkGBmJ6YpI6hIXWcLTr3h49puXLxKyu1Pk-8JWbpJBru5ZiZF0b6RCNGlg7CicTOKUOG_xK4QK1ZmiSYSE0LWE_bqMZiYVt4_AeIbqhD0J5Us5_IqGD_bsjA30IR-jbOQkgBELouC_g&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6%2F&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZaQj1QvknuQVrp9w8uIDYaW_D5ze_6LFICh3_N0scR_eI2lXb-oYINEbCUln0vOZjGvOj_QPj7x0mkGBmJ6YpI6hIXWcLTr3h49puXLxKyu1Pk-8JWbpJBru5ZiZF0b6RCNGlg7CicTOKUOG_xK4QK1ZmiSYSE0LWE_bqMZiYVt4_AeIbqhD0J5Us5_IqGD_bsjA30IR-jbOQkgBELouC_g&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/hashtag/sportsfanoutreachinternational?__eep__=6%2F&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZaQj1QvknuQVrp9w8uIDYaW_D5ze_6LFICh3_N0scR_eI2lXb-oYINEbCUln0vOZjGvOj_QPj7x0mkGBmJ6YpI6hIXWcLTr3h49puXLxKyu1Pk-8JWbpJBru5ZiZF0b6RCNGlg7CicTOKUOG_xK4QK1ZmiSYSE0LWE_bqMZiYVt4_AeIbqhD0J5Us5_IqGD_bsjA30IR-jbOQkgBELouC_g&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SportsFanOutreachInternational
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/hashtag/famousidahopotatobowl?__eep__=6%2F&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZaQj1QvknuQVrp9w8uIDYaW_D5ze_6LFICh3_N0scR_eI2lXb-oYINEbCUln0vOZjGvOj_QPj7x0mkGBmJ6YpI6hIXWcLTr3h49puXLxKyu1Pk-8JWbpJBru5ZiZF0b6RCNGlg7CicTOKUOG_xK4QK1ZmiSYSE0LWE_bqMZiYVt4_AeIbqhD0J5Us5_IqGD_bsjA30IR-jbOQkgBELouC_g&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #FamousIdahoPotatoBowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Date:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Dec 23, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What a great way to end this year’s
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUJwKmONtU4C0XfRgLi1hqdLoiTysgFwPsnSvre3f-46OKSzgMxJjUt29TxgaFXCvKu_8VdJTzH1BfYziYNkGuDU4agenpi9Atz_GPjpaAmu8_xYkpzOvicnz6GgRbtx75wqklx9UtSXEXOq9KoXf0F_wDNHGdAPZD_w14t8oxEyuKvoYXLybGFPQApZVM6GbU&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            outreach season— with a sunny midday outreach! Make no mistake, it was cold , 33°-37°, which translated to about 25°, with the windchill  IMHO, almost anything beats a night outreach, especially in winter.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            For this outreach, it was Rodney Whitt (his wife Cheryl), and myself. Mathematically, that’s Rod² (Rod squared)  I just love them both. Rodney drives in from Mountain Home (just under 60 miles east) just to take part in these local Treasure Valley outreaches! And for Cheryl, she just returned home, last night, from central California— a 12 hour drive
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Rodney and Cheryl were passing out Rodney’s custom Merry Christmas tracts and
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I did a combination of Living Waters Christmas Million Dollar Bills and Gospel Tract Planet’s Christmas Cash (mostly for the younger crowd). Rodney and Cheryl went through all 200 of their Merry Christmas tracts, and I probably did 300-400 tracts total, PTL!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was blessed with a few of gospel conversations. One was with a group of 4 youngsters on Lime/Uber scooters, another was with 3 young Catholics boys, and yet another was with young man.  Praise be to the Lord, for every opportunity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I met a young man Max, who was working for BEST Crowd Management, doing at the pedestrian crosswalk control on University Dr. at Grant Ave.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Max said he was an Orthodox Christian, after he heard me deliver the gospel to some of those I mentioned earlier. He was curious if I was a Protestant, which I said I was. And then, what denomination— Baptist. I told him I am reformed and I talked about expository preaching.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Max was deeply concerned about his generation and how many are atheists there are. I told him that I happen to be a recovering atheist, so I could definitely relate. I gave Max my ministry business card, if he wanted to stay in touch with me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I had full intentions of open-air preaching today. My street sermon topic was going to be, “The Christmas Gift”. I was also brought my Christmas I.Q. flip chart, as a means to open-air the gospel. However, there were three things that caused me
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           to reconsider.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            First, there were no really concentrated groups of people in my normal open-air spot adjacent to the stadium. That was probably due to the fact that there very few locals for this game. Secondly, because of the frigid temps, the passing pedestrians were in a rush to get to the stadium. And lastly, it was just too windy for the flip chart.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Maybe next season  Yay Jesus
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUJwKmONtU4C0XfRgLi1hqdLoiTysgFwPsnSvre3f-46OKSzgMxJjUt29TxgaFXCvKu_8VdJTzH1BfYziYNkGuDU4agenpi9Atz_GPjpaAmu8_xYkpzOvicnz6GgRbtx75wqklx9UtSXEXOq9KoXf0F_wDNHGdAPZD_w14t8oxEyuKvoYXLybGFPQApZVM6GbU&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/famousidahopotatobowl?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUJwKmONtU4C0XfRgLi1hqdLoiTysgFwPsnSvre3f-46OKSzgMxJjUt29TxgaFXCvKu_8VdJTzH1BfYziYNkGuDU4agenpi9Atz_GPjpaAmu8_xYkpzOvicnz6GgRbtx75wqklx9UtSXEXOq9KoXf0F_wDNHGdAPZD_w14t8oxEyuKvoYXLybGFPQApZVM6GbU&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #FamousIdahoPotatoBowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Date:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Nov 11, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Last night’s BSU game against the University of New Mexico Lobos marked our first and (thankfully) only evening Sports Fan Outreach International (SFOI) outreach of the season. Night outreaches are generally tougher because people naturally tend to be more defensive, and harder to approach, after dark.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And while attendance for game was listed at nearly 34,000 (or 94% of capacity), foot traffic seemed lower than usual at our primary outreach corner, just south of the stadium parking lot, on University Dr. at Grant Ave. My partner Dean and I also didn’t see the typically long line of fans filing into the game, in the south parking lot adjacent to the stadium.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Between Dean and I, we probably passed out somewhere between 200 and 300 million dollar bill tracts. Because yesterday was Veterans Day, we primarily used Living Waters Patriotic Million Dollar Bills (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://store.livingwaters.com/patriotic-million-dollar-bill.html?fbclid=IwAR0nbtDbXhANSFxC5VEG3jHl1HCpKvPk8b00bgJxQoH0AJfHKI809JZATr8" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://store.livingwaters.com/patriotic-million-dollar...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ). They served as an excellent way to wish our veterans, families, and friends a Happy Veterans Day
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            PTL, I was able to find enough lighting, in the south stadium parking lot, to be able to open-air preach a Veterans Day message from Romans 13:7-14. Sadly, because of the light crowds, and apart from two young Christians, very few people actually heard the message.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Despite what outwardly weren’t the best of circumstances, we still had every reason to praise our Lord! Yay Jesus, the gospel was preached and the good news was distributed to hundreds of football fans. Christ was made known and God received the glory
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be sure to mark your calendars for our two remaining SFOI1000# football outreaches, at Albertsons Stadium. We plan to outreach each game for 2 hours immediately prior to kickoff.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ➊ Air Force Academy vs Boise State Friday, November 24 @ 2PM
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ➋ 2023 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Saturday, December 23rd @ 1:30PM
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            As always, please pray about joining our SFOI outreach team for a couple of hours, prior to kickoff. Afterwards, you can go and enjoy the game
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/evangelism?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXLj5XDC-iD4yGMhBftykihQLdKaEtcLJuTjp7IC73Ko99fkBnIO2OQkC6pmctWJNbgNgTuKElcbPfFH-ix3Fiu0IHS8dUlFaipd7ZNwTxDHfdcFiJ-ggpw8xLmw8TZj7kZ_W2v2fbyl3VvNPmXE7IjhoDj7qJ0oFO8M4fAXJxpgnfZ0Up9erssso5ZHUEkCW8&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #evangelism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/openairpreaching?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXLj5XDC-iD4yGMhBftykihQLdKaEtcLJuTjp7IC73Ko99fkBnIO2OQkC6pmctWJNbgNgTuKElcbPfFH-ix3Fiu0IHS8dUlFaipd7ZNwTxDHfdcFiJ-ggpw8xLmw8TZj7kZ_W2v2fbyl3VvNPmXE7IjhoDj7qJ0oFO8M4fAXJxpgnfZ0Up9erssso5ZHUEkCW8&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #openairpreaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Friday, Nov 24, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            PTL, for early afternoon games during this time of year! Two weeks ago it was an 8pm kickoff for the New Mexico Lobos. Cold and dark isn’t the most evangelism friendly setting I can think of.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Trust me, it was still cold (33℉), this morning, when I arrived at 10:45am. But it was a bright sunny day and I was layered up and had my hand warmers. Nice brisk football weather!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our SFOI Team for this afternoon’s Air Force Academy game actually consisted of two teams. Robert Viera and his son Phillip, and my team: Dean Juday and Sue Goodrich. Each team outreached separate locations in and around Albertsons Stadium parking lot.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was blessed to begin the outreach with an early gospel conversation with two young men, Jacob and Marco. It was a fairly quick and to-the-point “good” person test gospel message. Thankfully, both were not in any particular hurry since there was over two hours to game time. Since both understood their position in front of a holy God, I felt no need to hold them up in conversation. I did give them a “Thanks For Listening” card (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://store.livingwaters.com/gospel-tracts/thanks-for-listening.html?fbclid=IwAR2LjblUV1llBP6-8MdFP_f3pKZ7YPBsmE99fQIsK3G4z7sqlpMOPUcIKpw" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           http://store.livingwaters.com/.../thanks-for-listening.html
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and a Psalm 51 Prayer of Repentance card (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2Fx0cb3suNEE%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2LjblUV1llBP6-8MdFP_f3pKZ7YPBsmE99fQIsK3G4z7sqlpMOPUcIKpw&amp;amp;h=AT0l8-1qaL6Yy-gmuA5ivodNr97f5TaEFpghzGAdwTKSox7XsZ5qxShmKJB74mgFGE5yDBFMGkYR4MPUPicFzaDpfByTWLERqD02mZTOkOAAsgglKDamsIoA3OtglURJoNEQ&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;amp;c[0]=AT3r0uSWhrmqUJdlyx4YAQn3dXyzWC550ru-LL06Hus9IG9VmhhzYOShcNA7m-CdW-U2qcIgiKL2gcWQ4UyFd1ATV17jZAhKp0KshwJXk6mTodPXkzCEY3D63jnAR9MUiNAbkGZtkNB1CqnxGpT_F7b8L1se1pxce6fTSPoAvy3LvORBEMhbOzRYlOg3DTQrsquoopGTZzcg5e0" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           http://t.co/x0cb3suNEE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our team (Dean, Sue, and I) concentrated on L.W.’s Christmas million dollar bill tracts today. I also passed quite a few L.W.’s Thanksgiving MDB’s, which I presented as leftover turkey bucks to go along with all the leftover turkey from Thanksgivin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           g.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With a little under an hour to kickoff; Dean, Sue, and I; headed into the south stadium parking for some open-air preaching and to pass out more tracts. Since today is officially known as Black Friday (as the official start of the Christmas shopping season), I was led to preach on contentment today. Using some selected contentment verses and contentment quotes, I was able to communicate some pertinent biblical truths and the gospel to the fast moving crowd.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At one point during the open-air, campus security came up to Dean and Sue and politely told them they could not pass out tracts because they weren’t “space paying” vendors. As a team, we agreed to cease with the tracts and I went back to preaching without further incident.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When I finished, the two campus security officers returned to tell me that they had double-checked with their supervisor and found out that while we wouldn’t be allowed to hand out tracts, there wasn’t any prohibition against open-air preaching. Praise the Lord, for these diligent officers who took the time to look into our situation!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Robert and Phillip had a fruitful afternoon at their two locations— passing out tracts on Broadway Ave. and open-air preaching on University Dr. at E. Bronco Ln. Since both of these locations are on public streets, they faced no interference from either campus security or Boise PD. Conservatively, between our two teams, we were probably blessed to hand out over 1K tracts— Yay Jesus
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           BTW, BSU defeated Air Force 27-19 today and are still in the alive for postseason play. We could potentially see a playoff game here at Albertsons Stadium. A lot of this depends on UNLV’s upcoming game against San José tomorrow in Las Vegas.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/boisestatefootball?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWq3m4AIe0ccoNi7nBCcxZFfWDuzZZJHNV3RNgE5Zr3yDgmNy2swm5tGx7_qdz2Ri_AeTTra5FFtVD4l8hjbbHlyTUAqZ7_v9UfQ8_AjMVQ63IBPTb1Vc6sa11xCGSYTapkAAPkjUrK1IyzxLuGYGU3jXYjXrOVeEFoWp9ZPIytFVh0X86ZuXAlmvnIgFkP1so&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #boisestatefootball
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/boisestate?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWq3m4AIe0ccoNi7nBCcxZFfWDuzZZJHNV3RNgE5Zr3yDgmNy2swm5tGx7_qdz2Ri_AeTTra5FFtVD4l8hjbbHlyTUAqZ7_v9UfQ8_AjMVQ63IBPTb1Vc6sa11xCGSYTapkAAPkjUrK1IyzxLuGYGU3jXYjXrOVeEFoWp9ZPIytFVh0X86ZuXAlmvnIgFkP1so&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #BoiseState
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/bsu?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWq3m4AIe0ccoNi7nBCcxZFfWDuzZZJHNV3RNgE5Zr3yDgmNy2swm5tGx7_qdz2Ri_AeTTra5FFtVD4l8hjbbHlyTUAqZ7_v9UfQ8_AjMVQ63IBPTb1Vc6sa11xCGSYTapkAAPkjUrK1IyzxLuGYGU3jXYjXrOVeEFoWp9ZPIytFVh0X86ZuXAlmvnIgFkP1so&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #BSU
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWq3m4AIe0ccoNi7nBCcxZFfWDuzZZJHNV3RNgE5Zr3yDgmNy2swm5tGx7_qdz2Ri_AeTTra5FFtVD4l8hjbbHlyTUAqZ7_v9UfQ8_AjMVQ63IBPTb1Vc6sa11xCGSYTapkAAPkjUrK1IyzxLuGYGU3jXYjXrOVeEFoWp9ZPIytFVh0X86ZuXAlmvnIgFkP1so&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Oct 7, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For last Saturday evening’s BSU/San José State game our team was greeted with an absolutely beautiful afternoon weather to outreach in! Our team enjoyed completely blue skies and warm fall temps lingering just below 80℉.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our 6-person team passed out tracts and did some open-air preaching for nearly two full hours prior to the 6pm kickoff. We estimate that we conservatively passed out around 1K tracts with a mixture of million dollar bills and “Are You a Good Person?” tracts. TY Lord for Robert and Shane Viera, Rodney Whitt, Sue DeDea Goodrich, and Dean Juday who joined me this afternoon at Albertsons Stadium.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Both Robert and I were able to open-air preach on-campus adjacent to the stadium. PTL, we faced no official opposition in a location we were forced to leave twice last season. Yay Jesus!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please keep our next home game, versus Wyoming on the 28th, in your prayers.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           #evangelism
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           #openairpreaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Saturday, Sep 9, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a beautiful day at Albertsons Stadium for the Boise State/University of Central Florida, for this afternoon’s season home opener.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           There were very large crowds all around the stadium. I picked a fairly busy street corner opposite the main stadium entrance and was blessed to pass out nearly 800 “Bronco Bucks” million dollar bills.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           PTL, I was also able to open-air preach for about 30-40 minutes right next to a large slow-moving ticket line at the south end of the stadium. Yay Jesus, our team today consisted of the Lord and me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Rod+Grubb.png" length="1560536" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 27 Oct 2023 17:02:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-rod-grub-albertsons-stadium</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Rod+Grubb.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Rod+Grubb.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 - Joshua Richards</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-joshua-richards-bowling-green-state-university</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: Joshua Richards
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bowling Green State University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Richards+sfoi+evangelist+team+leader.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Wednesday, Nov 1, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A small crowd but Roger and I gave out a few tracts. While I preached open air a family of 3 was sitting at a restaurant and heard the preaching and walked over to encourage us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Sep 23, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preached and gave out 500 plus tracts with the help of John and Andrew at the BGSU Falcons outreach in Bowling Green, OH. Fans were very receptive and zero issues with police or security at a new preaching location. Andrew, a new evangelist from Findlay was able to hand out lots of tracts. A great place for ministry. Glory to God!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Date: Sunday, Sep 10, '23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gave out around 30 tracts and preached open air for two hours at a crosswalk opposite the stadium. No issues with police or event personnel. BGSU is a smaller college football town but still a great place for evangelism!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Attached are photos taken from outreach at the SFOI 1000 outreach BGSU Falcons college football in Bowling Green, OH.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Richards+sfoi+evangelist+team+leader.png" length="1505761" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 27 Oct 2023 12:50:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-joshua-richards-bowling-green-state-university</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Richards+sfoi+evangelist+team+leader.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Richards+sfoi+evangelist+team+leader.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music City Grand Prix
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/image.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thirty up-and-coming Evangelists from all walks of life gathered in Nashville TN last weekend for a time of worship, prayer, and being taught how to present the pure Gospel Message of Jesus Christ. Please join us in prayer asking God for at least 1000 men to join SFOI so that the Streets of America will be flooded with indigenous Open Air Preachers. Preaching the Gospel on the streets always leads to one-on-one spiritual conversations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/image4.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Morning Devotion and Prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/image2.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/image3.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/image1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open Air Preaching in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee, with the opportunity at three different areas on the Broadway Strip including at the UFC arena.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/image-2852b385.jpg" length="215691" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Oct 2023 18:37:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/image-2852b385.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/image-2852b385.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix: Brad Madewell</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-brad-madewell</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music City Grand Prix '23: Brad Madewell
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brad is from Chattanooga, TN
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brad+Madewell.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brad Madewell preaching during the Music City Grand Prix outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brad+Madewell.jpg" length="50724" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Oct 2023 20:44:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-brad-madewell</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brad+Madewell.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix: Joshua Chavez</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-joshua-chavez</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music City Grand Prix '23: Joshua Chavez
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joshua is from Denton, TX
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Chavez_1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joshua Chavez proclaims Christ at the Music City Grand Prix
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Chavez.jpg" length="89433" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Oct 2023 20:43:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-joshua-chavez</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Chavez.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix: Eric Kilianski</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-eric-kilianski</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music City Grand Prix '23: Eric Kilianski
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eric is from Madison, AL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Eric1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eric Kilianski preaching at the Music City Grand Prix in Nashville.  Across the street is the Bridgestone Arena.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Eric.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Day, in blue shirt, distributing tracts as Eric preaches.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Eric3.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Eric_cover.jpg" length="253566" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Oct 2023 20:42:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-eric-kilianski</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Eric_cover.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix: Scott Roney</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-scott-roney</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music City Grand Prix '23: Scott Roney
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Scott is from Opelika, AL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Scott+Roney.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Scott Roney preaching at the Music City Grand Prix in Nashville.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Scott-Roney1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Scott+Roney_cover.jpg" length="300292" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Oct 2023 20:41:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-scott-roney</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Scott+Roney_cover.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix: Shawn Merithew</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-shawn-merithew</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music City Grand Prix '23: Shawn Merithew
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Shawn is from Montgomery, AL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Shawn+Merithew.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Shawn Merithew is preaching actively at the Music City Grand Prix.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dr. Shawn Merithew from Morningside Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL gives a testimony from his time at the MCGP.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Shawn+Merithew1-465e7e51.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Shawn Merithew is preaching at the Music City Grand Prix.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Shawn+Merithew2.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Shawn+Merithew0.jpg" length="239871" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Oct 2023 20:39:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-shawn-merithew</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Shawn+Merithew0.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix: Jacob Colby</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-jacob-colby</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music City Grand Prix '23: Jacob Colby
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jacob is from Athens, AL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jacob+Colby0.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jacob Colby handing out tracts at the Music City Grand Prix in Nashville. Jacob is on Broadway in downtown Nashville.  Huge crowds gather here all the time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jacob+Colby-0e949311.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jacob Colby in a conversation at the Music City Grand Prix in Nashville. Jacob in the red hat with Eric Killianski to his left with the cross.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jacob Colby preaching at the Music City Grand Prix in Nashville.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jacob+Colby3.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jacob Colby preaching just off Broadway at the Music City Grand Prix in Nashville.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jacob+Colby1.jpg" length="229155" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Oct 2023 20:31:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-jacob-colby</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jacob+Colby1.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix: Joshua Tubbs</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-joshua-tubbs</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music City Grand Prix '23: Joshua Tubbs
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joshua is from Helena, AL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Tubbs-38e9f74d.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joshua Tubbs proclaiming the free gift of God in Christ on the Nashville pedestrian bridge.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Chavez_0.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joshua in a one-on-one conversation.  Will Dieterich who is a Team Leader for the outreach is in the center.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Tubbs2.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Tubbs1.jpg" length="64728" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Oct 2023 20:29:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-joshua-tubbs</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Tubbs1.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix: Joe Hinson</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/copy-of-music-city-grand-prix-david-day</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music City Grand Prix '23: Joe Hinson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe is from Springville, UT
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson_1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson proclaiming good news, glad tidings and great joy in Christ on Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson1.jpg" length="97800" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Oct 2023 18:41:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/copy-of-music-city-grand-prix-david-day</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson1.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson1.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix: Joe &amp; Liz Madura</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-justin-johnson</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music City Grand Prix '23: Joe &amp;amp; Liz Madura
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe and Liz are from Montgomery, AL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Justin+Johnson-68c37597.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe and Liz at the Music City Grand Prix in Nashville.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Justin+Johnson0.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Justin-Johnson_main.jpg" length="57510" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Oct 2023 18:20:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-justin-johnson</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Justin-Johnson_main-aa20a50f.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Justin-Johnson_main.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix: David Day</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-david-day</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music City Grand Prix '23: David Day
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David is from Montgomery, AL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day2.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Day preaching at the Music City Grand Prix in Nashville.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day3.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day4.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David-Day2.jpg" length="63090" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Oct 2023 13:43:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-david-day</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David-Day2.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David-Day2.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>MLB All-Star: Stirling Long</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-stirling-long</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           MLB All-Star '23: Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stilring is from Dawsonville, GA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Stirling Long is actively preaching at the MLB All-Star.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Jesus was ordained by God to be judge of the living and the dead."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long+Sitting.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling showing the wisdom of having a 'chair' for the day.  Long days on the pavement takes away your energy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long preaching between Seattles pro baseball and football stadiums.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53042294997_0b0a6fcb6f_o-6a79d9ed.jpg" length="293104" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Oct 2023 21:39:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-stirling-long</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53042294997_0b0a6fcb6f_o-6a79d9ed.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>MLB All-Star: Keith Darrell</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-keith-darrel</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           MLB All-Star '23: Keith Darrell
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Keith is from Moscow, ID
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/356406754_10210627104071884_6277979048666027708_n-1a7563ee.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Keith Darrell preaching law and gospel truth at the SFOI MLB All-Star Outreach in Seattle.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            "God is love... God is just... God is a loving Governor..."
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53042946790_2468c0b4aa_k+%281%29.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Through his resurrection, God has revealed himself."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53042947215_cca5e77b51_oguig.jpg" length="388784" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Oct 2023 21:39:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-keith-darrel</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53042947215_cca5e77b51_oguig.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>MLB All-Star: Jon Clement</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-jon-clement</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           MLB All-Star: Jon Clement
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/clement_jon" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jon Clement
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            from Grants Pass, OR is featured here.  Jon has been to Mexico with SFOI and a Super Bowl.  He's a faithful evangelist in Grants Pass and friends with Mason Goodknight in Roseburg, OR.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Below you see 2 videos of Jon taken by SFOI. Here is Jon's video list he compiled from the MLB All-Star Mission: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLal6RLxpyPIp7ljP6BLBH6TXOegV6kgcX" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jon Clement
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53043063389_6b739b8572_c-32f46f50.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53046415330_22398b2606_c.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53036254573_c78b899d4a_k.jpg"/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           MLB All-Star Gospel outreach in Seattle, Day 3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53043063389_6b739b8572_c.jpg" length="133026" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Oct 2023 19:52:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-jon-clement</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53043063389_6b739b8572_c.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>MLB All-Star: Gerry Collins</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-gerry-collins</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           MLB All-Star '23: Gerry Collins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry is from Bakersfield, CA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53042297322_be10f940c1_6k.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry is fearlessly proclaiming the incredible message of Christ and wants everyone to listen up to hear the Good News! Why? Because hearing the Word of God is how you begin to believe in Jesus Christ. A clear message with good sound in the midst of the noise.
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53043350728_e9efdbd9d0_6k.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "God is eternal. Our lives are short and final."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53042865251_2cb0da70eb_6k.jpg" alt="Gerry Collins preaching at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham England"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53046027111_1e39e5bf98_k.jpg" length="753813" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Oct 2023 18:30:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-gerry-collins</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53046027111_1e39e5bf98_k.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>MBL All-Star: Ernie from Canada</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/mbl-all-star-ernie-from-canada</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           MLB All-Star '23: Ernie from Canada
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ernie is from Chilliwack, BC
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53045445842_2aa9c62745_c.jpg"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Ernie, pictured above, joined the Team for 4 days of Gospel preaching, tracting, etc. in Seattle.  Ernie is 75 years of age and has had limited evangelism experience.  But he preached in the open air for the first time on his first day and labored diligently distributing tracts and preaching for the 4 days.  He even had a couple of hecklers. Above Ernie is preaching to the very end of the 4 days. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Below are 2 videos of Ernie preaching:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Ernie was an amazing example of devotion.  He was fully involved in the morning and evening prayer times too.  Praise the Lord for Ernie bringing his gifts and talents to the MLB All-Star Celebration. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53045445842_2aa9c62745_c.jpg" length="143245" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Oct 2023 18:25:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/mbl-all-star-ernie-from-canada</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53045445842_2aa9c62745_c.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53045445842_2aa9c62745_c.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>MLB All-Star: Mason Goodknight</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-mason-goodknight</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           MLB All-Star '23: Mason Goodknight
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mason is from Roseburg, OR
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason+Goodknight-14854d10.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mason Goodknight is preaching at the MLB All-Star Outreach in Seatle.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "We are those who Revere God and hate sin, who love God and hate sin, who love the brethren and the sister and hate sin, and who do that which pleases God, not disrespects God."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason+Goodknight_1.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason+Goodknight_3.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mason holding up a banner - "Jesus Christ died for sinners"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Every gift, everything we've ever been able to do, every good thing we've ever had, has been a gift that's come down from the Father of Light above."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason+Goodknight_0.jpg" length="419365" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:33:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-mason-goodknight</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason+Goodknight_0.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>MLB All-Star: Mark Yoho</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-mark-yoho</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           MLB All-Star '23: Mark Yoho
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark is from Sugar Valley, GA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason+Goodknight_5-d68c64e0.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark Yoho preaching the Gospel at the SFOI Outreach to MLB All-Star Weekend 2023.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           MLB All-Star Seattle Gospel Outreach, day 2, Mark Yoho preaching the gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mark+Yoho.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mark-yoho.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mark+Yoho_1-a8de2402.jpg" length="82893" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:28:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-mark-yoho</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mark+Yoho_1-a8de2402.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>MLB All-Star: Andy Schmelzer</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-andy-schmelzer</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           MLB All-Star: Andy Schmelzer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Andy is from Brandon, OR
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/MLB+All-Star+Andy+Schmelzer2.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Andy Schmelzer preaching at the MLB All-Star outreach in Seattle with his inspiring passion for sharing the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "It doesn't matter what God does; he's always right, he's always just, he's always perfect."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/MLB+All-Star+Andy+Schmelzer3.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Here you see Andy to the left in a grey shirt and hat distributing tracts while Keith Darrell to the right in the striped shirt and gold back pack is preaching.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "God has wrath for those that guide their sins."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53042881976_349c8a96b6_k.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "If anyone loves God he is known by God."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/MLB+All-Star+Andy+Schmelzer5.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Repent, change your mind to the point you hate your sin, to the point you change your ways."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Andy+Schmelzer.jpg" length="363601" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Oct 2023 11:30:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-andy-schmelzer</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Andy+Schmelzer.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>MLB All-Star: Pat Hegarty</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-pat-hegarty</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           MLB All-Star: Pat Hegarty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Patrick is from Fort Collins, CO
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53042867716_a73f0bf0cf_c.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pat Hegarty from the Denver area is shown here preaching at T-Mobile Park during the MLB All-Star Celebration.  Pat has been a Super Bowl Outreach Team Leader twice and is this year too; he participates in SFOI's 'Keep Your Finger in the Text' expository preaching program and leads a team out on Friday nights near his home.  Check out the videos and pictures of Pat from the MLB All-Star Celebration outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53042867006_01530e8f7e_c.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53042280922_0b03820180_c.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53043024794_cfd91b7d91_c.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53041971447_11e9305520_c.jpg" length="107714" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Oct 2023 10:20:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star-pat-hegarty</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53041971447_11e9305520_c.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>MLB All-Star: Pastor John Smith</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/pastor-john-smith</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Pastor John Smith preaching
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          at the MLB All-Star
         &#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John is from Cashmere, WA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Pastor John Smith a friend of Mason Goodknight and Jon Clement joined the Team for two days.  Here Pastor Smith is preaching on All-Star game day, Tuesday, with Andy as the fans pour past into T-Mobile Stadium.  Details of the outreach:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-all-star
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/pastor+john+smith+%281%29.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Smith preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pastor John Smith of Evergreen Baptist Church again heralding God's law and gospel truth here in Seatlle now.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53043078278_ca520d4bda_c.jpg" length="71435" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Oct 2023 09:44:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/pastor-john-smith</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53043078278_ca520d4bda_c.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Jonathan Shako</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/jonathan-shako</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Global Partnering Evangelist
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jonathan Shako
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Taita-Taveta County, Kenya
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open Air Evangelism Meetings
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wining souls in Village's, slums, Streets and sports centers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reaching out to a village in the evening
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Food Outreach Program
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our food outreach program brings together local pastors who are asked to invite non-believers to one of our food outreach programs using one of the churches or a hall is hired where we bring the people together.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The love of God is shared with them, and afterward, we sit down together and share a meal of love with them. This program has been proven to be very effective in church growth and easy for follow-up programs since pastors can have one-on-one with new believers during meal time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Jesus Film
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The Jesus Film is shown in villages, sharing the life of Christ and his crucifixion in film. People understand more the life of Jesus and his suffering on the cross for us all.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Winning people over into the Kingdom of God is very effective through showing the Jesus film.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Depending on the venue, we can reach up to 1000 people per show or even up to 3000.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Food Distribution to the Elderly.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We share the love of Christ with those great women and give them a small portion of rice and cooking fat for a one-day meal. We reach out to them with God's love in action.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Oct 2023 00:42:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/jonathan-shako</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 10-13-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-13-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-13-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mourning for Sin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/2%20Corinthians%207:10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Corinthians 7:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genuine, spiritual mourning for sin is the work of the Spirit of God. Repentance is too rare a flower to grow in nature’s garden. Pearls grow naturally in oysters, but penitence never shows up in sinners except when divine grace produces it in them. If you have one particle of real hatred for sin, God must have given it to you, for human nature’s thorns never produced a single fig. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh.”(
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%203%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 3:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           True repentance is tied directly to the Savior. When we repent of sin, we must have one eye upon sin and the other upon the cross; or it will be even better if we fix both our eyes on Christ and see our transgressions only in the light of His love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           True sorrow for sin is eminently practical. No man can say he hates sin if he lives in it. Repentance makes us see the evil of sin not merely as a theory but experimentally [experientially]—as a burn victim dreads fire. We will be as afraid of it as a man who has recently been robbed is afraid of the thief on the highway; and we will shun it—shun it in everything—not only in large matters, but in small things, as men avoid little vipers as well as great snakes. True mourning for sin will make us very careful with our tongue in case it should say a wrong word; we will be very watchful over our daily actions in case in anything we offend, and each night we will end the day with painful confessions of shortcomings, and each morning awaken with earnest prayers that God would today hold us up so that we may not sin against Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sincere repentance is continual. Believers repent until their dying day. This is not something we do only once at the beginning of our Christian lives. Nor is it an intermittent exercise. Every other sorrow passes with time, but this dear sorrow grows as we grow, and it is such sweet bitterness that we thank God He permits us to enjoy and to suffer it until we enter our eternal rest.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/13/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/13/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 13 Oct 2023 12:31:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-13-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 10-12-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-12-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-12-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Unlikely Matriarch
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God sees true beauty 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the annals of Biblical history, amidst the triumphs and tribulations of God's chosen people, one figure stands out—Leah, a woman whose life embodies the profound truth of God's sovereign choice and his ability to use what the world considers ugly as instruments of redemption. Leah, the lesser-loved wife of Jacob, teaches us that God's love transcends appearance. She resonates deeply with those who have felt overlooked or unloved.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Unlikely Matriarch 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The account of Leah's life given in Genesis is a poignant tale of unrequited love. She found herself in a world (not unlike today) that often placed a premium on physical beauty, a world where her father, Laban, deemed her less desirable than her younger sister, Rachel. Jacob, the man she was destined to marry, dearly loved Rachel, making Leah's situation all the more heart-wrenching, making the ache of unreciprocated affection a heavy burden to bear.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet, in the midst of this heartache, God saw something extraordinary in Leah. His gaze penetrated beyond the superficial judgments of the world. God recognized a beauty that extended far beyond physical appearances—it was the beauty of a faithful heart, a heart that would play a vital role in fulfilling his salvation promise to Adam and Eve. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In God's divine wisdom, he chose Leah to be the mother of the great patriarchs, the bearer of a lineage that would eventually lead to the birth of Jesus Christ. This choice was not arbitrary but a deliberate act of divine election. God's perspective transcends the limitations of human understanding. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, Leah's life story is a powerful reminder that God's ways are not ours. His wisdom surpasses our comprehension, and his choices often confound worldly expectations. He sees potential where the world sees inadequacy, and he chooses those whom society may overlook because, as Jesus taught, "…many who are first will be last, and the last first" (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%2019%3A30/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 19:30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Leah's life is a testament to the life-altering power of God's recognition and love. Through her, God demonstrated his ability to transform what the world considered "less beautiful" into an instrument of divine purpose—a purpose that would ultimately lead to the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God's Unconventional Choices 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Leah's life story not only highlights how God chooses those we often overlook but also illuminates a recurring theme that weaves its way through the whole of the Bible—God's predilection for the unexpected, the unlikely, and the seemingly inadequate to fulfill his divine purposes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider the case of David, the shepherd boy turned Israel's greatest king. When the prophet Samuel was sent to anoint the next king of Israel, the youngest son of Jesse, David, was an afterthought. The world would not have chosen him; his own family had not initially considered him. David was the "unseen" candidate, chosen by God to become a walking, talking testimony to God's power working through the underestimated. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the New Testament, we encounter a similar pattern with the calling of Jesus' disciples. These were not scholars or elite members of society; they were humble fishermen. The world might have dismissed them as unremarkable, but Jesus saw in them the future of his ministry. He chose those who would become his closest followers from amongst the lowest rungs of society to spread the message of salvation to the ends of the earth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Throughout Scripture, time and again, God reveals his inclination for the "ugly" by worldly standards. He shatters our preconceived notions of who should be chosen and who should be overlooked. In doing so, God emphasizes that his ways are not our ways. His wisdom transcends human understanding, and his choices reflect a divine perspective that goes beyond our common predilection to "judge a book by its cover." 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The recurring theme of God's preference for the unexpected serves as a powerful reminder that his grace and mercy in Jesus Christ extends to all, regardless of societal judgments or conventional standards.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The recurring theme of God's preference for the unexpected serves as a powerful reminder that his grace and mercy in Jesus Christ extends to all, regardless of societal judgments or conventional standards. It is a call to see beyond the exterior and recognize the intrinsic worth within each individual whom God has created, redeemed, and sanctified through the gospel. God's choices reveal his boundless love and his commitment to using the most unlikely vessels to fulfill his divine purposes. It is, therefore, a call for us to embrace a similar perspective, to view others through the lens of God's grace, and to remember that his ways are often mysterious but always overflowing with forgiveness and charity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Leah's Legacy 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Leah's significance in the overall scheme of God's promise to Adam and Eve goes beyond her lifetime, being preached and taught through generations as a testament to God's grace and ability to work through the most unexpected of vessels.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Leah's pivotal role in the lineage of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ is a remarkable demonstration of God's orchestration of salvation history and his ability to bring beauty and purpose out of what the world may have deemed unconventional. Her son, Judah, holds a special place in this unfolding story. It was from the tribe of Judah that King David emerged, establishing a lineage of rulership that would culminate in the birth of Jesus. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through Leah's descendants, God's promise to bring forth a Redeemer was fulfilled. Her place in the lineage of Christ underscores a fundamental truth—God's plan is not limited by human expectations or appearances. He works through those who may be considered "less" by worldly standards to accomplish his divine purposes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God sees the true beauty in each individual creature and uses them as instruments in his proclamation of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Leah's story also serves as an enduring witness to the fact that God has a penchant for using the unexpected to accomplish his redemptive work. It is a reminder that in God's eyes, no one is insignificant or unworthy of being part of his plan. God sees the true beauty in each individual creature and uses them as instruments in his proclamation of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. So, as we reflect on Leah's legacy, God's word calls us to embrace a deeper understanding of God's boundless love and his sovereign control over history. Her life story encourages us to look beyond the surface, seeing with the eyes of faith the divine purpose at work in the most unexpected places and people. Leah's life is a testament to the enduring truth that God's choices are always good, that his grace abounds, and that his ability to change lives and generations knows no bounds because his promise in Jesus Christ is unconditional and, therefore, unbreakable.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/the-unlikely-matriarch" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/the-unlikely-matriarch
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 12 Oct 2023 14:17:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-12-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 10-11-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-11-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-11-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Changing World: Stand Firm...!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It takes courage to stand up for what you believe to be the truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the sixth century BC, leading lights in Jewish society: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were, with Daniel, exiles in Babylon at the time of Nebuchadnezzar.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Like Daniel they enjoyed the privilege of Babylonian education and a place in Nebuchadnezzar’s court. However, encouraged by those around him, Nebuchadnezzar had constructed a huge golden statue that he commanded everyone to worship. The three Israelites, despite certain death, refused.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Daniel chapter 3, verse 18 we read their response to the king: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “…Be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These men were intelligent, highly educated, articulate young men who held office in their land of exile at King Nebuchadnezzar’s pleasure because of their abilities and leadership qualities. They knew that now they had to take a stand.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nebuchadnezzar needed to know the God of Israel was not only the God of the Jewish people. He was not simply another God in the pantheon of gods for the Religious Departments of universities to analyze. He alone is the Lord. There is no other.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They spoke of God as, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “our God whom we serve”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : they had a personal relationship with him built on trust. They were confident that God had the power to deliver them from the fiery furnace they faced. But if he chose not to protect them they would still trust him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For the Jewish readers of this book who were also in exile, the examples of men like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Babylon were significant. They had to ask how far they should get involved in this foreign country: would it compromise their faith? The answer in the Book of Daniel is, ‘No! It won’t. Providing you continue to trust and serve God’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This question is important for us too. Some Christians say they can only fully serve God if they become a Christian minister or missionary. But that is not how God works: he involves all of us wherever we are. And he expects us to continue to trust and serve him in the secularized world of our day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reflect. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you pray for opportunities to talk with others about your faith? As you do, let me suggest that you ask yourself what opportunities you may have had. Pray for those with whom you have chatted about the good news you have found in knowing the Lord Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may also find it helpful to read Daniel, chapter 3 and Colossians 4:2-6.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Almighty God, creator of all things and giver of every good and perfect gift, hear with favor the prayers of your people, so that we who are justly punished for our offences may mercifully be delivered by your goodness, for the glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Amen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/a-changing-world-stand-firm/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/a-changing-world-stand-firm/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 11 Oct 2023 13:46:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-11-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 10-10-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-10-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-10-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are Sinners Worthless?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was sitting in a college history class many years ago. My professor asked for a show of hands: “How many of you believe man is basically good?” Most people raised their hands. “How many of you believe man is basically bad?” Two or three people raised their hands, including me. I looked around somewhat perplexed; my Calvinist upbringing put me at odds with almost everyone. Yet when I look back, something was wrong.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More recently, a young man who attended a Bible study I was leading asked me a question. During one study, I mentioned that God considered human beings valuable enough to save; otherwise, He wouldn’t have sent His Son to die for people. I said we have inherent dignity; there’s a worthwhileness about us. This young man came up to me after the study, confused. He quoted 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Romans%203%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 3:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          ﻿﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           no one does good,﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          ﻿﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           not even one.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He respectfully asked how I could say that humans are worthwhile if the Bible tells us we’re worthless. I was thrown off guard, because I could see how I appeared to be directly contradicting Scripture. A plain, surface-level reading of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Romans%203%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 3:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            led him to believe that men and women are worthless. God saved dirty rags (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Isa.%2064%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 64:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), trash (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%202%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 2:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), worms (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Job%2025%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Job 25:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2022%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 22:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Who are we to think of ourselves as worthwhile at all?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I realized in reflecting afterward that I had found myself caught on the horns of a false dilemma, but to understand the dilemma, we need to think about our historical context.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Total Depravity
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s our inheritance as Protestants to think of ourselves as sinners, incapable of willing spiritual good. This was the underlying logic of Martin Luther’s despair as he went through the repetitious cycle of the Roman Catholic sacramental system. He realized he would never measure up; he would never stop sinning in this life; his sin went so deep that he could never confess or do enough to merit salvation. He had a sober understanding of who he was before God, and this led him to be awed by the grace made apparent in the revelation of God’s righteousness (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%201%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 1:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He realized that God’s saving righteousness was Jesus Christ, and God stoops to save sinners. Therefore, when we throw ourselves on the mercy of God exhibited in the infinite grace freely given to us in our Lord Jesus Christ, then we experience the joy of salvation—by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. It’s no wonder that Protestants sing “Amazing Grace” with gusto.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luther, however, lived in an age permeated by Christian thought. Protestants and Roman Catholics didn’t argue that we were made in the image of God. That was a given; the question was: How far did we fall? Did we simply lose a certain grace that was divinely imparted to us so that we now stand in a somewhat neutral position before God (as Roman Catholic doctrine asserts)? Or did we fall so far that now we’re unable to will true spiritual good apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (as classical Protestantism asserts)?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Humans, both Christian and non-Christian, are always valuable because the image of God cannot be erased.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Moreover, the doctrine of total depravity, which has come to define the Reformed understanding of sin, wasn’t even introduced at these debates between Luther and the pope, though Luther likely would have agreed with the doctrine. It was a century after the Reformation, at the Synod of Dort, that internal debates among Reformed churches in the Netherlands led to the doctrine of total depravity being systematically codified. These debates, like the debates between Protestants and Roman Catholics a century earlier, centered around how sin had affected man’s being made in the image of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Arminians at the Synod of Dort posited that mankind wasn’t affected wholly by sin; rather, we were affected only partially. The Reformed responded that sin has wholly affected our every faculty. Sin goes deeper than we all might realize; we cannot fully trust our minds, wills, hearts, souls, and bodies anymore, for they are prone to sin. Man can still achieve a measure of relative good (e.g., caring for our families, helping our community, being honest at work) apart from regeneration. However, apart from grace we don’t do these things unto God’s glory, so they are not spiritual goods. God’s common, non-saving grace remains in effect, yes, because man is created in God’s image. But his sin goes deep—in short, he’s totally depraved.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Image of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today, we are five hundred years removed from these debates. The average individual on the street often has no inkling of what it means to be made in the image of God, much less any subtle theological understanding of just how much sin has affected our being created in His image. The very foundation for total depravity—the assumption that we’re created in God’s image—has been eroded. Witness the ongoing debates in our culture about human dignity: whether babies in utero have rights; whether women are women and men are men; whether sexual exploitation and pornography are empowering or not. Christians, as a result, may be tempted to forget about our being made in the image of God as well. And if we do, we will also forget what total depravity actually means, and we will be caught on the horns of a false dilemma: How can we say that man has inherent dignity (the image of God) and yet at the same time he is a terrible sinner—worthless (total depravity)? Isn’t he either the former or the latter?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The answer to this false dilemma is simply “yes.” We are both. Man is far above all other creatures (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%208%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 8:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ); he is “wonderful” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%20139%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 139:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and “beautiful” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Prov.%2020%3A29/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prov. 20:29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). No other creature has the honor of being created in the image of God (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gen.%201%3A27/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 1:27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But he has also fallen very far:
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Their throat is an open grave;﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          ﻿﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           they use their tongues to deceive. (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%203%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 3:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All we like sheep have gone astray;﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          ﻿﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           we have turned—every one—to his own way. (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Isa.%2053%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 53:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are deeply sinful—dead in our trespasses and sins (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%202%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 2:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )—and can contribute nothing to solving our spiritual predicament. We cannot will the truly good and deserve judgment; in that sense, we are worthless.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, the answer to my young friend’s question about the worthwhileness of men and women was, “Yes, we are worthless, but we are also worthwhile—but not in the same way and in the same relationship.” The image of God imparts dignity and worthwhileness to us in our very being because that is how God created man; but our every faculty has now been corrupted by sin in this post-fall world. We therefore deserve judgment. Ironically, the very judgment we deserve speaks to the dignity we’ve compromised. We were created to be the pinnacle of creation and to experience eternal bliss; now we deserve eternal damnation. So, we are worthless in terms of our spiritual good, but not in terms of our being human. Humans, both Christian and non-Christian, are always valuable because the image of God cannot be erased. It’s marred in sinners but not eliminated. Moreover, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://tabletalkmagazine.com/article/2022/02/are-christians-totally-depraved/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christians aren’t totally depraved
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            any longer—the image of God is being restored in us (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Col.%203%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 3:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I wish that when I was in that college class years ago that I simply hadn’t raised my hand at all. There are times when we’re pressed to accept an oversimplification of a particular subject and it’s best to abstain or reframe the question. What I experienced on that day was what’s called a false dichotomy: dividing a complex subject into two different viewpoints, neither of which do justice to the subject at hand. The questions didn’t allow for nuance: “Yes, in one sense, people are basically good, because they’re created in the image of God, and no, they’re basically evil in another sense, because they’re sinners.” Let us therefore be careful, as Christians, to recognize the full scope of what it means to be human, avoid oversimplification, and speak discerningly with our neighbors about what we believe it means to be human for the sake of God’s kingdom and glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/are-sinners-worthless" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/are-sinners-worthless
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 10 Oct 2023 14:36:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-10-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 10-9-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-9-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-9-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No More Dangerous Road
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           … Able to keep you from stumbling.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Jude%201:24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jude 1:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In some ways the path to heaven is very safe, but in other respects there is no more dangerous road. It is surrounded with difficulties. One false step (and how easy it is to take that if grace is absent), and down we go. What a slippery path some of us have to tread! How many times do we have to exclaim with the psalmist, “My feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.73.2.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 73:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we were strong, surefooted mountaineers, this would not matter so much; but in ourselves, how weak we are! On the best roads we soon falter; in the smoothest paths we quickly stumble. These feeble knees of ours can scarcely support our tottering weight. A feather may divert us, and a pebble can wound us. We are mere children taking our first trembling steps in the walk of faith; our heavenly Father holds us by the arms or we would soon be down.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we are kept from falling, how we should bless the patient power that watches over us day by day! Think how prone we are to sin, how apt to choose danger, how strong our tendency to stumble and fall, and these reflections will make us sing more sweetly than we have ever done, “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling.” We have many enemies who try to put us down. The road is rough, and we are weak; but in addition to this, enemies hide in ambush and rush out when we least expect them and try to trip us up or throw us over the nearest cliff.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Only an almighty arm can preserve us from these unseen foes who are seeking to destroy us. Such an arm is involved in our defense. He is faithful who has promised, and He is able to keep us from falling, so that with a deep sense of our utter weakness, we may cherish a firm belief in our perfect safety and say with joyful confidence
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Against me earth and hell combine,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           But on my side is power divine;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus is all, and He is mine!﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/09/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/09/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 Oct 2023 13:26:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-9-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 10-6-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-6-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-6-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Never Be Thirsty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%204:14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 4:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The person who believes in Jesus finds enough in his Lord to satisfy him now and to content him forevermore. The believer is not the man whose days are weary for lack of comfort and whose nights are long on account of the absence of heart-cheering thought. The believer finds in faith such a spring of joy, such a fountain of consolation that he is content and happy. Put him in a dungeon, and he will find good company; place him in a barren wilderness, and he will eat the bread of heaven; drive him away from friendship, and he will meet the “friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PRO.18.24.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Proverbs 18:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) Destroy all his shade, and he will find shadow beneath the Rock of Ages; erode the foundation of his earthly hopes, but his heart will still be fixed, trusting in the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The heart is as insatiable as the grave until Jesus enters it, and then it becomes a cup full to overflowing. There is such a fullness in Christ that He alone is the believer’s sufficiency. The true saint is so completely satisfied with the provision of Jesus that he no longer thirsts—except perhaps to drink more deeply at the living fountain.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In that sweet manner, believer, you will thirst; it will not be a thirst of pain, but of loving desire; you will find it a sweet thing to be longing for a deeper enjoyment of Jesus’ love. An old saint once declared, “I have been lowering my bucket into the well so often, but now my thirst for Jesus has become so insatiable, that I long to put the well itself to my lips and drink right out of it.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is this the feeling of your heart now, believer? Do you feel that all your desires are satisfied in Jesus and that you have no need now except to know more of Him and to have closer fellowship with Him? Then come continually to the fountain, and take the water of life freely. Jesus will never think you take too much but will always welcome you, saying, “Drink; yes, drink abundantly, loved one.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/06/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/06/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Oct 2023 12:12:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-6-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 10-5-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-5-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-5-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To Live is Christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How can he say it? How can he say that Christ is after all the entire meaning of life for him, and that death is no real worry?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bertrand Russell, in an essay entitled “Why I am not a Christian’’ states that one of his reasons for rejecting Christianity is that religion is, after all, based on fear. “Religion,” he says, “is based primarily and mainly upon fear. It is partly the terror of the unknown, and partly . . . the wish to feel that you have a kind of elder brother who will stand by you in all your troubles and disputes. Fear is the basis of the whole thing – fear of the mysterious, fear of defeat, fear of death.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Religion, in Mr. Russell's view, feeds on man's weakness. It is man’s attempt to wrap a kind of protective covering around himself, to enable him to live in this world which is so inhospitable and keep a sense of well-being perhaps even to enable him to keep his sanity. Religion is a detour – because man takes the path of religion he is slow to face his real problems and solve them with good English common sense. It is a kind of womb, we might say, which man refuses to leave – because he is afraid.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But now, when I take this statement of Mr. Russell’s and compare it with the statement of St. Paul's, I am led to wonder if they are really talking about the same thing at all. St. Paul says, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%201%3A21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 1:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) I must confess that this statement is one which has always made me a little uneasy. And I think what makes me uneasy about it is its utter candor and fearlessness. How can he say it? How can he say that Christ is after all the entire meaning of life for him, and that death is no real worry? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The answer lies of course in the fact that something had happened in Paul's life which made the whole question of fear suddenly irrelevant. Paul had been claimed by Christ. It was not, he tells us, that he hadn’t been religious. He had been overly so! It was not that he was looking around for someone or something to hang on to. It was not that he was looking for something to calm his fears even. It is simply the fact that one fine day he had been claimed by Christ, and that had made all the difference. He did not choose it – he was not shopping for a religion – as though it were a matter of looking over the alternatives and then picking the one he could be most comfortable with. But Christ chose him, and that was the end of the matter.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fear is transcended and peace and joy are restored to us. This is what God has done for us in Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And when he tries to describe what it was like, he says that it was like dying – and all the fears which he had “in the flesh,” as he put it, died too, and in Christ he was reborn, created anew, and placed in the world to follow Christ, come what may. Therefore he can say that to live is Christ and to die is gain. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And he goes on in this passage, writing from prison where the possibility of death was near, to talk about his own living or dying with utter candor. “Which I shall choose,” he says, “I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with – Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus because of my coming to you again” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%201%3A22-25/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 1:22-25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). For Paul, the problem of fear, at least the kind of fear that Mr. Russell is talking about, seems rather irrelevant.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So I wonder if we can’t say that it may well be true that religion is based on fear – I don't know whether this is so or not. That is a question we can leave for the anthropologists and psychologists to argue about. But this has little or nothing to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Granted we all have our fears: fear of the mysterious, fear of defeat, fear of death. And there is enough truth in what Mr. Russell says to give us cause to stop and think. But God in Christ calls us to a different kind of life – he calls us out of fear to a life which is beyond even the questions of life in which the entire issue is forgotten. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ did not come to hold us in a state of perpetual fear so that we will feel the need of him only to the degree to which we are afraid. He came to set us free from all that – to set us free even from the burden of religion. He came so that we could walk in joy and peace, and enter into life in all its fullness. The angel who announced his birth said, “Fear not, for behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy, for unto you is born this day a savior” – not a new doctor of religion, but a Savior. Fear is transcended and peace and joy are restored to us. This is what God has done for us in Christ. It is a great gift, and to him belong all honor and praise and glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is a chapel sermon Gerhard Forde preached on September 27, 1962.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/to-live-is-christ" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/to-live-is-christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Oct 2023 14:33:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-5-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 10-4-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-4-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-4-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Changing World: A Dream...!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dreams fascinate us. They can tease us with hopes that they may come true, but they can also terrify.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the past, as in some cultures today, dreams were often treated as portents of the future. So people called on the ‘wise’ and fortune-tellers to interpret their dreams.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These days modern psychology suggests that dreams can reveal our subconscious desires and fears. However, there are well-documented occasions when individuals have some kind of premonition of the future – particularly of disaster.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daniel chapter 2 records a dream King Nebuchadnezzar experienced. It was so real that he called in his wise men and scientists, wanting them to tell him its meaning. However, he had forgotten what it was.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They were threatened with death if they couldn’t interpret the forgotten dream. Then Daniel was called in. Being acquainted with the situation Daniel informed his three companions and asked them to pray. Prayer was an essential part of Daniel’s life. He prayed because he trusted God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Daniel, chapter 2, verse 19 we read: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           …
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In answering Daniel’s prayer God showed him both Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its meaning. In essence, the dream revealed to Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel and the Israelite exiles in Babylon, that there would be the rise and fall of four great empires (Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome). But over all and throughout it all, God would be there, working out his purposes for his people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is an extraordinary glimpse into the nature and work of God. He is sovereign over the universe. What is more, unseen behind the noise and drama of human decisions and events, God is tirelessly working out his purposes, especially for his people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The purpose of the dream Nebuchadnezzar experienced was to encourage God’s people to persevere. They were going through dreadful times. Exiled from Jerusalem, they had lost all that was dear to them. ‘Never give up,’ God was saying to them. He says the same to us today: ‘Never give up your trust in me, your prayer, or your courage to serve’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reflect.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            We cannot live a meaningful life in the present unless we believe something positive about the future. What hope do you have for the future? Is your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ such that it keeps your life fresh and filled with great expectations in God’s plans?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may also find it helpful to read Daniel, chapter 2 and Romans 5:1-5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             Lord God, you declare your mighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: grant us such a measure of your grace so that, running in the way of your commandments, we may obtain your promises, and share in your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/a-changing-world-a-dream/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/a-changing-world-a-dream/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Oct 2023 14:53:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-4-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 10-3-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-3-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-3-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Morning Star of the Reformation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He had been dead and buried for a few decades, but the church wanted to make a point. His remains were exhumed and burned, a fitting end for the “heretic” John Wycliffe. Wycliffe once explained what the letters in the title CARDINAL really mean: “Captain of the Apostates of the Realm of the Devil, Impudent and Nefarious Ally of Lucifer.” And with that, Wycliffe was only getting started.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wycliffe rejected the doctrine of transubstantiation, which states that the elements of the bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper become the actual body and blood of Christ. He was against priestly absolution, he spoke out against indulgences, and he denied the doctrine of purgatory. He rejected papal authority. Instead, he asserted that Christ is the head of the church. And he had a profound belief in the inerrancy and absolute authority of Scripture. He fully believed that the church of his day had lost its way. Scripture alone provided the only way back. Now we see why the medieval Roman Church wanted to make a statement against Wycliffe.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Wycliffe has often been called “the Morning Star of the Reformation.” Jan Hus, another pre-Reformation reformer, felt obliged to express his supreme debt to Wycliffe. And though he lived long after Wycliffe’s death, Martin Luther, too, felt an obligation to recognize the pioneering reforms of John Wycliffe. Luther stood on the shoulders of Hus, who stood on the shoulders of Wycliffe. Hus, Luther, and the other Reformers were indebted to him. So are we. Wycliffe was indeed “the Morning Star of the Reformation.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The term morning star has been used alternately to refer to either the star Sirius or the planet Venus. It appears brightest in the predawn, the time when darkness still dominates, but also the time of promise—the time of the promise of the dawn and the rising sun. So John Wycliffe is situated historically between the darkness and the morning light.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Wycliffe was born around 1330 and died on December 30, 1384. His century was one of growing disillusionment with the medieval Roman church. There was disillusionment with the church hierarchy and also with the church’s piety (or lack thereof). These were times of unrest. The long reign of the night, of the darkness, had taken its toll, especially on the laity. They bore the brunt of a wayward church. And perhaps none was more acutely aware of this than John Wycliffe.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wycliffe’s Studies
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Oxford University became Wycliffe’s home in 1346, during his teen years. As soon as Wycliffe arrived at Oxford, he witnessed all the pomp and circumstance of convocation, which included a Mass in honor of the royal family and the scholars at Oxford. Wycliffe then settled into the academic routines of attending lectures and disputations. Wycliffe would sit under and be profoundly influenced by the theologian Thomas Bradwardine and the philosopher William of Ockham. He studied broadly, learning science and mathematics; law and history; and, of course, philosophy. At Oxford, Wycliffe soon moved from the rank of student to that of scholar, later becoming master at Balliol College. Wycliffe’s first writings would be in the field of philosophy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Biblical studies, and later theology, however, captured his attention and piqued his interest the most. Wycliffe qualified as a doctor of theology, allowing him to lecture on the subject. He also became embroiled in church politics in the 1370s, the decade in which the crisis in the papacy would come to a head, ending the Avignon Papacy and marking the pope’s return to Rome. Wycliffe drew upon his vast education, applying his keen mind and his philosophical competency to the pressing ecclesiastical and theological problems of his day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wycliffe’s Theses
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luther famously had his Ninety-Five Theses. While not having quite as many, Wycliffe had his own theses (that is, arguments) against the church. One thesis declares, "There is one universal church, and outside of it there is no salvation. Its head is Christ. No pope may say that he is the head.” For this and other ideas, Pope Gregory XI condemned Wycliffe.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Wycliffe had friends in high places, and his condemnation had little effect. The mother of the boy king Richard II favored Wycliffe, as did John of Gaunt, the young king’s uncle, who wielded significant influence. These supporters swayed Parliament against the pope and for Wycliffe. At Oxford, the students and faculty rallied to his support.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wycliffe made the case that all Christians have a right to the Word of God in their own language.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These controversies and censures did little to dissuade Wycliffe. In fact, they propelled him further into his studies and writings, resulting in even more compelling arguments against the religious status quo in favor of reforms. Later, the tide would turn against Wycliffe, and he and his followers would be persecuted.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two important works penned during the 1370s had a significant and lasting influence. In the first, On Divine Dominion (likely written in 1373-74), Wycliffe levels arguments against papal authority. Any authority held in the church ultimately derives from maintaining fidelity to the Word of God. Authority that sidesteps or runs counter to God's Word is no authority at all and has no right to rule in the church, Wycliffe argued. In the second work, On Civil Dominion (likely written in 1375-76), Wycliffe makes a case for the civil authorities not to be at the mercy of the church. Instead, he argues that the patrons of the church, the royalty and nobility in England, need not financially support the church or church officials who are in error or corrupt. It is not surprising, then, that Pope Gregory XI condemned Wycliffe and his ideas.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These books of Wycliffe made their way onto the banned book list. But that didn't keep them from reaching Jan Hus. Wycliffe's books also influenced Martin Luther. Luther’s The Babylonian Captivity of the Church reflects ideas in On Divine Dominion, and Luther’s Advice to the German Nobility reflects ideas in On Civil Dominion. Finally, Thomas Cranmer enlisted these "heretical" ideas in his efforts to persuade Henry VIII to break from the Roman Catholic Church and establish the Church of England. These were influential books indeed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wycliffe’s Bible
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet it would be other writings of Wycliffe that would have the most profound influence. In 1378, Wycliffe wrote On the Truth of Sacred Scripture. Here we see the beginnings of the doctrine so crucial to the Reformation: sola Scriptura (Scripture alone). In this work, Wycliffe makes the case that all Christians have a right to the Word of God in their own language. Wycliffe so believed in this principle that he devoted his later years to translating the Latin Vulgate text into Middle English. He was joined by others, such as Nicholas of Hereford and John Purvey. These labors culminated in what would come to be Wycliffe's crowning achievement—the Wycliffe Bible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Wycliffe Bible consisted of hand-copied manuscripts—hundreds of them. They were put into service by Wycliffe’s troupe of pastors, the so-called poor priests. They had very little to their name, and they likely were not all that impressive looking. A friend of Wycliffe once described him as having a “spare, ill, emaciated frame.” His poor priests likely fared no better. But they had copies of the Bible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wycliffe’s Legacy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These preachers came to be called Lollards. Soon that term was expanded to apply to those who followed Wycliffe’s teachings. The Lollards grew and grew. “Every second man that you meet,” the saying went, “is a Lollard.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lollard is a Dutch word meaning “to mumble“ or “to murmur.“ Since Wycliffe’s followers were preaching and reading the Bible in English, not in Latin, they were derided as mumblers and murmurers. But they weren’t mumbling. They were speaking the truth. The Lollards even had their Wittenberg Door moment, nailing a petition to the doors of Parliament’s Westminster Hall in 1395. The Lollards extended Wycliffe's influence well beyond his lifetime, and even on into the British Reformation of the sixteenth century.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While attending church on December 28, 1384, Wycliffe suffered a severe stroke, his second. He died two days later. Post tenebras lux—“after darkness, light”—is the slogan representing the Reformation at Calvin’s Geneva. The sun did rise in the Reformation of the sixteenth century, and the light of the gospel chased the darkness away. But we can all be grateful for the pioneering efforts of the fourteenth century Oxford scholar John Wycliffe, the Morning Star of the Reformation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/morning-star-reformation" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/morning-star-reformation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Oct 2023 12:03:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-3-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 10-2-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-2-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-2-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hope for the Future and Joy for Today
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The hope laid up for you in heaven.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Colossians%201:5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Colossians 1:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our hope in Christ for the future is the mainspring and the mainstay of our joy down here today. Our hearts will be stirred by thinking often of heaven, for all that we can desire is promised there.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here we are tired and weary, but over there is the land of rest where the sweat of toil will no longer soak our shirts, and fatigue will be banished forever. To those who are weary and worn, the word rest is full of heaven. We are always in the field of battle; we are so tempted and so molested by foes that we have little or no peace; but in heaven we will enjoy the victory, when the banner shall be unfurled in triumph, and the sword will be sheathed, and we will hear our Captain say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.25.23.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 25:23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We have suffered bereavement after bereavement, but we are going to the land of the immortal where graves do not exist. Here sin is a constant grief to us, but there we will be perfectly holy, for there will be nothing in heaven to defile it. There are no needs in the furrows of celestial fields. It is a source of deep joy to realize that the wilderness journey of our earthly pilgrimage will end and we will inherit heaven.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But let us make sure that we are not just dreaming about the future and thus forgetting the present. Let all thoughts of the future serve to make us useful in the present. Through the Spirit of God the hope of heaven is the most powerful force for producing virtue; it is a fountain of joyful endeavor; it is the cornerstone of cheerful holiness. Those who have this hope in them go about their work with vigor, for the joy of the Lord is their strength. They fight hard against temptation, for the hope of the next world repels the fiery darts of the adversary. They can work without immediate reward, for they anticipate a reward in the world to come.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/02/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/02/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 02 Oct 2023 12:47:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-10-2-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-29-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-29-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-29-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;div&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Lessons from Leprosy
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            And if the leprous disease has covered all his body, he shall pronounce him clean of the disease.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Leviticus%2013:13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            Leviticus 13:13
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            This regulation appears to be very strange, but there was wisdom in it, for the throwing out of the disease proved that the constitution was sound. This morning it may be well for us to see the typical teaching of this singular principle. We, too, are lepers and may read the law of the leper as applicable to ourselves. When a man sees himself to be completely lost and ruined, covered all over with the defilement of sin, and with no part free from pollution, when he disclaims all righteousness of his own and pleads guilty before the Lord, then is he clean through the blood of Jesus and the grace of God.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Hidden, unfelt, unconfessed iniquity is the true leprosy, but when sin is seen and felt it has received its death blow, and the Lord looks with eyes of mercy upon the soul afflicted with it. Nothing is more deadly than self-righteousness or more hopeful than contrition. We must confess that we are nothing else but sin, for no confession short of this will be the whole truth. And if the Holy Spirit is at work within us, convincing us of sin, there will be no difficulty in making such an acknowledgment—it will spring spontaneously from our lips.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What comfort this text provides to those under a deep sense of sin! Sin mourned and confessed, however deep and foul, will never shut a man out from the Lord Jesus. “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” (
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.6.37.NIV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            John 6:37
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ) Though dishonest as the thief, though immoral as the woman who was a sinner, though fierce as Saul of Tarsus, though cruel as Manasseh, though rebellious as the prodigal, the great heart of love will look upon the man who feels himself to have no health in him and will pronounce him clean when he trusts in Jesus crucified. Come to Him, then, poor heavy-laden sinner.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Come needy, come guilty, come loathsome and bare;
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            You can’t come too filthy—come just as you are.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/29/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/29/2023/
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 29 Sep 2023 13:07:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-29-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-28-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-28-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-28-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why Poetry Matters
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If poetry elevates its subject, we could also say the reverse: the subject, in this case, the Most High God, elevates the language.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I have quite a few friends who don’t like musicals. Their reason? “They are unrealistic – people don’t just break into song.” My friends can’t understand the need for such out-of-the-ordinary behavior; they find it off-putting and weird. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Song – and, by extension, poetry in general – is weird, with its rhymes, meter, metaphors, and flowery language. Why can’t authors simply write what they want to say in a straightforward manner? What’s wrong with neatly organized sentences in logically arranged paragraphs? Honestly, nothing. And everything. Sometimes, prose is just not enough.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you don’t believe me, open your Bible to Psalms. There are 150 of them, 150 individual poems detailing the speaker’s relationship with his God. Even if we stopped there and did not include all the other poems sung by prophets or new mothers, we can make a strong case for the need for God’s people to speak to him and about him in poetic form, to utilize the weirdness of poetry to express that which goes far beyond the normal or mundane. If poetry elevates its subject, we could also say the reverse: the subject, in this case, the Most High God, elevates the language.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When my son was very little, he heard the opening of Genesis in church: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” He turned to me and said, “That sounds like a song, like God wrote a song.” Indeed, God’s great creative act, through his word, was a supreme form of poetry in which the Creator turns his own language into reality. C. S. Lewis plays with this idea in The Magician’s Nephew, where the Lion sings Narnia into existence. Thus, as God’s only creatures gifted with language, we should find it quite natural to follow his lead. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Take, for example, the poem that Simeon sings when the infant Christ is presented in the temple in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%202%3A28-32/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 2:28-32
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           according to your word;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           for my eyes have seen your salvation
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           and for glory to your people Israel.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Filled with the Holy Spirit, Simeon paints a wonderful picture that points not only toward his own relationship with God but also prophesies the full meaning of Christ’s incarnation for all peoples. Where others might see merely a little baby, Simeon sees “salvation,” “a light for revelation . . . and for glory.” The impact of Simeon’s epiphany – for himself and for the world – cannot be properly communicated in prose; it needs a higher form of language.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The sheer number of poems in the Bible should clue us into its extraordinary power as a conveyer of truth about our Father and our Savior. Believers have continued for hundreds of years to use poetry and song to respond to their Lord, in short lyrics such as the medieval “Ye That Passen by the Way,” where the crucified Christ asks the passersby to look at “a spear all thru my side / To mine heart is made a wound,” to the epic Paradise Lost. Short or long, these poems were widely read by the Christians of their day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our problem today is that readers often have difficulty navigating poems without a GPS, or Great Poetry System, leaving them lost in some seemingly weird worlds. Fearful of poetry, they simply veer away from it, but, in so doing, they miss out on so many truly beautiful expressions of faith and gratitude. Believe it or not, poetry follows the same grammar rules that regulate prose; with time and patience, readers can experience for themselves what the poets so generously share with them when they suddenly burst into song.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/why-poetry-matters" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/why-poetry-matters
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 28 Sep 2023 14:45:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-28-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-27-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-27-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-27-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Changing World: Times to Say, ‘No’!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In our changing world the words, ‘In God we trust’ are fading into the mists of time. We’re now living in a brave new world where, in the west, powerful and influential voices believe they can chart a path to a secure future, even though it may mean silencing freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Such experiences are not new. In the sixth century BC, God’s ancient people found themselves in a world of uncertainty and confusion. In 586BC Nebuchadnezzar had sent his army into Jerusalem; the city was destroyed, and the stones of Solomon’s great temple razed to the ground.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           King Nebuchadnezzar’s conquest devastated the Jewish people. Their national pride was in tatters and their religious faith was challenged to the core. For they believed that their God was the one true living God, sovereign over all the gods of the nations. Yet he had allowed this to happen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An important part of Nebuchadnezzar’s strategy in developing his empire was to take the cream of the Jewish people to Babylon and provide them with a top-rate education and cultural program.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today, and over the coming Wednesdays, I am touching on key themes we find in the Book of Daniel under the title, ‘A Changing World’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Daniel, chapter 1, from verse 5 we read: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then the king commanded his palace master Ashpenaz to bring some of the Israelites of the royal family and of the nobility, young men without physical defect and handsome, versed in every branch of wisdom, endowed with knowledge and insight, and competent to serve in the king’s palace; they were to be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king assigned them a daily portion of the royal rations of food and wine. They were to be educated for three years, so that at the end of that time they could be stationed in the king’s court. Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, from the tribe of Judah.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nebuchadnezzar expected exceptional men like Daniel and his friends to welcome the intellectual and cultural challenges of the three-year program. However, Daniel drew a line when it came to the food menu.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In verses 5 and 8 we read: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The words, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daniel resolved
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , suggest he was wrestling with his conscience about Nebuchadnezzar’s plan. The result was that he made a personal determination to take a stand on a principle. He said, ‘No’ to the feasting.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daniel may have stood firm on the matter of food because in diplomatic circles eating a meal with someone usually implied an alliance. As a member of a nation that had food laws prescribed by Yahweh, the Lord, that loyalty came first. And there was probably something else: Daniel was surrounded daily by dozens of temptations to turn away from his walk with the Lord, temptations to which he knew well he might succumb.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If he was to remain true to the Lord, he would need great self discipline. He could not afford to let himself be softened up by the king’s hospitality. There may have been nothing morally wrong with enjoying the delights of the Babylonian royal cuisine, but it symbolized a threat to his own spiritual commitment. Significantly, as Nebuchadnezzar’s program progressed, Daniel’s decision was honored by God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reflect
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . If we are going to live as believers in a changing world where God is dismissed, we need to have the wisdom to identify temptations that could threaten our faith and the courage to be different. Let me encourage you to pray for God’s wisdom and grace in identifying where it would benefit you to make a stand, and at the same time challenge others around you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may also find it helpful to read Daniel, chapter 1 and Ephesians 4:17-32.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Almighty and eternal God, by whose Spirit your people are governed and sanctified: receive our prayer for the many different members of your people; that every one of us in our life and calling may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/a-changing-world-times-to-say-no/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/a-changing-world-times-to-say-no/
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 Sep 2023 13:42:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-27-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-26-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-26-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-26-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Perfectly Human
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Over the past two centuries, much has been written in evangelical circles on the deity of Christ. This has been good and necessary, for many people deny that Jesus is the Son of God incarnate. Sometimes I fear, however, that this emphasis on Christ’s deity has led to an imbalance in our doctrine of Christ. It’s proper to highlight our Lord’s deity, but Scripture also emphasizes His humanity. If Jesus were only God and not truly man, He could not save us. His humanity is inseparable from His being the second Adam, fulfilling all righteousness, and taking upon Himself all the obligations of God’s law that must be fulfilled for us to receive life eternal (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lev.%2018%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lev. 18:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%202%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 2:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The New Testament proclaims Jesus Christ as vera homo, truly human, as well as vera Deus, truly God. References to Jesus’ true humanity abound. John numbers those who deny a real incarnation with the antichrist (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20John%201%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 John 1:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Paul speaks of Christ as “born of a woman” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%2011%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 11:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gal.%204%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal. 4:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The Gospels reveal Christ as having the basic characteristics of humanity. He walks, He talks, He becomes tired, He eats, He drinks, He cries, He manifests every human emotion and every dimension of the physical aspect of mankind (see, for example, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%208%3A24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 8:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%207%3A34/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 7:34
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2011%3A35/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 11:35
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). There’s a full identification of Jesus with humanity—except with respect to one vital distinction: the moral distinction. Christ perfectly obeys the Father; we don’t.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ’s sinlessness is vital to the biblical understanding of redemption. If Jesus is to be our mediator, if He is to be our redeemer, it’s essential that He be sinless. How could His atoning life have any significance if He committed even one sin? He’s called the lamb without blemish because His perfection is integral to His redemptive role as the mediator who offers up a perfect sacrifice to the Father to fulfill the old covenant and satisfy the wrath of God. The sinlessness of Jesus is critical to the full biblical understanding of His sacrificial death. Not only does Christ take what should be ours—namely, punishment for sin—but through imputation He gives to those who are in Him by faith alone the inheritance He receives for His perfect obedience (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%203%3A21%E2%80%9326/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 3:21–26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some have denied the sinlessness of Christ in the name of protecting His humanity. If there’s anything that binds us together in common humanity, if there’s anything true of all men of all races and creeds, it’s that we fall short of our standards. We transgress our own laws, not to mention the laws of God. I don’t know anything more common to humanity than sin. If one man in this world today lived ten minutes in perfect obedience to God, that would be nothing less than astonishing. But Christ’s entire life was marked by sinlessness (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Peter%202%3A22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Peter 2:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). So, how could a sinless Christ be truly human if sinlessness violates what is so common to human behavior?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What we’re really asking is this: Is sinfulness intrinsic to true humanity? We can answer only in the negative. To say that sinfulness is intrinsic to authentic humanity requires two conclusions: first, that Adam before the fall was not a human being; second, and more seriously, that Christians in a state of perfected glory in heaven will no longer be human.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sin isn’t a necessary attribute of true humanity; it’s a foreign intrusion into humanity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Everything Scripture says about human beings and sin suggests that men and women, as originally created, were without sin but were nevertheless truly human. Moreover, the Bible teaches that when we are glorified, we will be without sin but yet truly human. Sin isn’t a necessary attribute of true humanity; it’s a foreign intrusion into humanity as created by God. To affirm that sin is intrinsic to our humanity denies the true humanity both of our origins and of our destiny.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ’s sinlessness is vindicated most powerfully in His resurrection. The penalty of sin, biblically speaking, is death (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gen.%202%3A15%E2%80%9317/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 2:15–17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%206%3A23/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 6:23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But it was impossible for death to hold Him (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Acts%202%3A24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 2:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Why? Since Jesus was guilty of no personal sin, death had no rightful claim over Him. He bore our sin and guilt, and that is why He died; but once our debt of sin was canceled, there was nothing left to keep Him buried (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Col.%202%3A13%E2%80%9315/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 2:13–15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Jesus, being perfectly righteous, had to be raised, for it would have been unjust for God to allow a sinless man to rot in the grave. Christ was raised for our justification, resurrected to prove that He fully satisfied God’s demands on behalf of His people (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%204%3A25/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 4:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When we confess the sinlessness of Jesus, we are not confessing merely that Jesus is a good man, nor a very good man, nor the best man who has ever lived. We are confessing that Jesus is the perfect man. There’s a significant difference between the good, the better, the best, and the perfect. It amazes me that many people will say that Jesus is a good man but not that He is the perfect man. But how can Jesus be a good man if He has falsely claimed to be a perfect man? Only a bad man would claim to be perfect if he was not perfect. To be equal with the Father, to be sent from God, to be the Savior of the world—a good man would not claim such things of himself if they were not true. Jesus can’t be merely a good man. He is either the perfect man or He’s not a good man.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ is not only truly human—He is perfectly human. Only He has fulfilled the vocation of human beings to love the Lord above all else. That makes Him the most human person who has ever lived, because only He has done what human beings were made to do.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/perfectly-human" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/perfectly-human
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 26 Sep 2023 11:41:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-26-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-25-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-25-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-25-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our Justification
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Romans%203:26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 3:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. Conscience no longer accuses. Judgment now decides for the sinner instead of against him. Memory looks back upon past sins with deep sorrow for the sin, but yet without dreading any penalty to come; for Christ has paid the debt of His people to the last jot and tittle and received the divine receipt. Unless God can be so unjust as to demand double payment for one debt, no soul for whom Jesus died as a substitute can ever be cast into hell.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It seems to be one of the principles of our enlightened nature to believe that God is just; we feel that it must be so, and this terrifies us at first. But is it not marvelous that this very same belief that God is just later becomes the pillar of our confidence and peace! If God is just, I, a sinner, alone and without a substitute, must be punished. But Jesus stands in my place and is punished for me; and now, if God is just, I, a sinner, standing in Christ, can never be punished. God must change His nature before one soul for whom Jesus was a substitute can ever by any possibility suffer the punishment of the law.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Therefore, Jesus having taken the place of the believer—having rendered a full equivalent to divine wrath for all that His people ought to have suffered as the result of sin—the believer can shout with glorious triumph, “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ROM.8.33.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 8:33
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) Not God, for He has justified; not Christ, for He has died, yes, has risen again. My hope lives not because I am not a sinner, but because I am a sinner for whom Christ died; my trust is not that I am holy, but that being unholy, He is my righteousness. My faith rests not upon what I am or shall be or feel or know, but in what Christ is, in what He has done, and in what He is now doing for me. Hallelujah!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/25/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/25/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 25 Sep 2023 13:32:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-25-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-22-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-22-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-22-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rejoice in God’s Attributes
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let Israel be glad in his Maker.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%20149:2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 149:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rejoice, believer, but take care that your gladness has its spring in the Lord. You have much cause for gladness in God, for you can sing with David, “God my exceeding joy.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.43.4.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 43:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) Be glad that the Lord reigns, that Jehovah is King! Rejoice that He sits on the throne and rules all things!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Every attribute of God should become a fresh ray in the sunlight of our gladness. The fact that He is wise should make us glad, knowing as we do our own foolishness. That He is mighty should cause us who tremble in our weakness to rejoice. That He is everlasting should always be a theme of joy when we know that we wither like grass. That He is unchanging should provide a perpetual song, for we change every hour. That He is full of grace, that He is overflowing with it, and that this grace in covenant He has given to us, that it is ours to cleanse us, ours to keep us, ours to sanctify us, ours to perfect us, ours to bring us to glory—all this should serve to make us glad in Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This gladness in God is like a deep river. So far we have only touched its edge; we know a little of its clear sweet, heavenly streams, but further on the depth is greater, and the current more powerful in its joy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Christian feels that he may delight himself not only in what God is, but also in all that God has done in the past. The Psalms show us that God’s people in olden times were keen to make much of God’s actions and to have a song concerning each of them. So let God’s people now rehearse the deeds of the Lord! Let them tell of His mighty acts and “sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/exo.15.1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Exodus 15:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) Let them never cease to sing, for as new mercies flow to them day by day, so their gladness in the Lord’s loving acts of providence and grace should display itself in continued thanksgiving.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be glad, children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/22/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/22/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:07:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-22-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-21-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-21-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-21-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Death, Taxes, and Baseball
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We know that death does not have the last word in Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Over the years as a musician, I’ve written songs on many topics, but one subject continues to surface in my writing: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/49jhDxO5Sc4w3NrVnhhpsq?si=136600d24067443e" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           the topic of death
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We joke that all humanity has death and taxes in common, but of course, you can find ways to evade paying taxes, so what we really have in common is that we are all born, and one day, we will all die. I’m not yet forty, but recently, after rewatching a video I had made for work, I noticed my wrinkles looked deeper. Maybe I was extra tired the day I filmed it, or perhaps I’m just aging (we can’t all look as young as Harrison Ford in the most recent Indiana Jones movie).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This moment reminded me of other times throughout my life when I’ve realized the time for one thing or another has passed. For instance, I distinctly remember watching the San Francisco Giants play the Houston Astros a few years ago. Tim Lincecum, one of the Giants’ starting pitchers, was on the field warming up. For some reason, I looked up his age and realized we were the same age. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Just like that, my childhood dream died. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I spent my childhood envisioning myself as a batter in a Giants uniform, complete with a Jeff Kent-style mustache. I dreamed I’d play professional baseball for the Giants. I wasn’t really all that great at baseball, but I wasn’t old enough to know or even care about that. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, there I was, watching baseball and coming to terms with the fact that I wasn’t going to make a Jim Morris-style comeback (see The Rookie starring Dennis Quaid), especially given that I never was major league material to begin with.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I recently injured my hand, inhibiting my ability to play guitar. Without going into too much detail, a tendon popped in my arm, and I couldn’t press down with my ring finger for several weeks. It complicated my job significantly as I had to figure out new ways to play many of the chords I use regularly, and it made me even question if I would ever be able to play guitar again. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I told my wife this injury was the closest I’ve felt to being a professional athlete. Not because I accomplished some amazing athletic feat but because, in a moment, I thought the career I had worked so hard at might be over forever. Here, again, was another small whisper of death’s inevitability. Another reminder that life isn’t forever, and one day, we all will face death. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And yet, despite such inevitability rearing its head in small and large ways, we know that death does not have the last word in Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There’s a line I love in this prayer called Sleep from the book The Valley of Vision: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “As pain and suffering indicate temporal health, may I not shrink from a death that introduces me to the freshness of eternal youth. Even as we close our eyes to sleep, we do so in full assurance of one day awakening with you.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These words echo what Saint Paul says in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Romans%208/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We will not always live our earthly dreams; we will face death, but when it comes, we can rest in the assurance that we will awake to new life with Christ, who has made us more than conquerors. You’re on your own for the taxes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed Creator, You have promised those You love rest;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Give us restoring rest needed for life’s toil;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let your Spirit make our time of rest 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           a blessed temple of Christ’s holy presence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           May my frequent lying down make me familiar with death,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the bed I approach remind me of the grave,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the eyes I close picture to me their final closing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Keep me always ready, waiting for admittance to your presence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Weaken my attachment to earthly things.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           May I hold life loosely in my hand, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           knowing that I receive it on condition of its surrender; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As pain and suffering indicate temporal health,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           may I not shrink from a death that introduces me 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           to the freshness of eternal youth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even as we close our eyes to sleep, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           we do so in full assurance of one day awakening with you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All glory for this precious hope, for the gospel of grace, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           for your unspeakable gift of Jesus, for the fellowship of the Trinity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do not withhold your mercies from us this day;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Your hand never wearies, your power needs no repose,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           your eyes never sleep.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Help me when I helpless lie, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           when my conscience accuses me of sin, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           when my mind is harassed by apprehensive thoughts,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           when I am kept awake with my anxieties.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Show yourself to me as the God of all grace, love and power; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You have healing for every wound, a solace for all anguish, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           a remedy for every pain, a peace for all uneasiness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Permit me to commit myself to thee awake or asleep. Amen. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/death-taxes-and-baseball" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/death-taxes-and-baseball
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 21 Sep 2023 13:33:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-21-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-20-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-20-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-20-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Songs for Today – Mercy…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ‘Count your blessings, name them one by one,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           and it will surprise you what the Lord has done,’ are the words of an old Christian song. How easily we forget to thank God for the countless good things he provides for us. We take it all for granted.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But there is something else we often forget; King David wrote about it in Psalm 103. It seems he wrote this for the great choir he established in Jerusalem. It reflects his personal growth in his understanding of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With his opening and concluding words,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bless the Lord,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           O my soul
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , we find that this song has the tone of a personal reflection. His exhortation is directed to his inner self – a theme that he especially develops in the first five verses.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In reminding himself of all God’s 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           benefits
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            he begins by focusing on the forgiveness and healing that God held out to him. This suggests the psalm was perhaps another reflection on his affair with Bathsheba and his sickness in the aftermath when he was deeply depressed and ill. Assured now that the sin that had caused his sickness was forgiven, he reflects on the extraordinary mercy of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Significantly,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            David didn’t attribute his recovery to good medical care or healthy foods.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Rather, he sees his deliverance as nothing less than God’s personal involvement in his life. He doesn’t even attribute his deliverance to the power of prayer.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Instead, he reflects on God’s mercy:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (103:6-7)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘My experience,’ he says, ‘is an example of a general truth about God that I read in the Scriptures.’ At the time of Moses God broke into the experience of an entire nation. He revealed what a just and righteous God he is when he delivered his people from oppression in Egypt and opened a way for them to enter the land of Canaan. God showed himself to be 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (103:8).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now, it’s important that we think about this. We can’t scientifically prove that God is at work in our lives. Nor can we prove that God answers our prayers. If anyone wants to interpret events some other way, we can’t prove them wrong. All we can say is that our personal experience and the testimony of the Bible mesh together in a way that we find personally convincing. We know God is real because somehow everything hangs together and fits. It rings true. This helps us when we think about our faith, or we are looking into faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Years ago, when I was re-thinking my position about my faith, I looked for some kind of logical argument that concluded, ‘The New Testament is true’ and ‘Jesus did rise from the dead’. When I found that the Bible never even tried to offer reasoning along these lines, I felt let down. Then I realized that faith, as the Bible reveals it, is not a logical deduction. We can’t prove that God exists and then decide we’re going to believe in him. This doesn’t mean that faith is a leap in the dark: it is grounded in historical reality.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As others have observed, ‘faith isn’t a logical deduction, it’s closer to what scientists call a paradigm shift’ – what the Germans call a Gestalt phenomenon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            is a new way of looking at the world that makes convincing sense of it. David wasn’t speculating when he spoke of a God who forgives his sin and heals his diseases. He was reflecting on the point that the Bible makes compelling sense of human experience. God had proven himself in David’s experience to be the same God he had revealed himself to be in the Scriptures. The Bible and David’s experience of God meshed together. This is how it feels when we come to faith.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Significantly, David didn’t go on to list all the specific things God had done for him. Rather he focused on essential features of God’s character – God’s justice and his steadfast love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s just anger: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (v.9). Martin Luther once commented, ‘Wrath is God’s strange work.’ Anger is alien to God: it is his response to our failure to honor him and give him the thanks that is his due. There was a time when there was no anger in God; equally, there will come a time when there will be nothing further to rouse his anger.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s steadfast love:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (v.11). Children sometimes ask their parents, ‘How much do you love me?’ and they open their arms saying, ‘This much, or this much?’ When David said this to God, he realized that not even the expanse of the universe can illustrate the vast dimensions of God’s love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So he continues: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (v.12)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We can’t watch the sun rise and set at the same time.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We have to turn our back on one to see the other. Through the lens of the New Testament we see that through the cross of Christ, God found a way of detaching our sin from us, so he could condemn the one without condemning the other. The illustration means that when we ask God for mercy, he has to turn his back on our sin when he looks at us because he puts us and our sin on two different horizons.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We have even more reason than David to bless the name of God, for
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           we live on the other side of the cross
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            that once stood on Calvary’s hill. That cross is a far, far greater measure of God’s love than the unfathomable depths of the universe about which David spoke. The arms of the cross show us the grief that tears the heart of God because of our sin. In Christ, God not only lifts us out of 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the pit
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , he lifts us from the depths of hell and raises us to new life forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is there any real praise of God in our hearts?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            It’s easy to go to church, to sing songs and hymns, and say 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            to the prayers, but to have no real personal connection with him. It’s easy to hear sermons that move us, but we’re not really listening to God because we’re more impressed with the preacher than we are with relating to God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            True blessing.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you have a sense of God’s blessing in your life, a sense of connectedness with him that comes through knowing Jesus Christ? If you do not, then do what Jesus said: Ask, seek and knock. God promises to open our eyes to the truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Lord our God, fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: have compassion on our infirmities; and those things which for our unworthiness we dare not and for our blindness we cannot ask, graciously give us for the worthiness of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/songs-for-today-mercy/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/songs-for-today-mercy/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 20 Sep 2023 13:54:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-20-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-19-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-19-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-19-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are People Basically Good?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is commonplace to hear the statement, “people are basically good.” Though it is admitted that no one is perfect, human wickedness is minimized. Yet if people are basically good, why is sin so universal?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is often suggested that everybody sins because society has such a negative influence upon us. The problem is seen with our environment, not with our nature. This explanation for the universality of sin raises the question, how did society become corrupt in the first place? If people are born good or innocent, we would expect at least a percentage of them to remain good and sinless. We should be able to find societies that are not corrupt, where the environment has been conditioned by sinlessness rather than sinfulness. Yet the most dedicated-to-righteousness communes we can find still have provisions for dealing with the guilt of sin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Since the fruit is universally corrupt we look for the root of the problem in the tree. Jesus indicated that a good tree does not produce corrupt fruit. The Bible clearly teaches that our original parents, Adam and Eve, fell in sin. Subsequently, every human being has been born with a sinful and corrupt nature. If the Bible didn’t explicitly teach this, we would have to deduce it rationally from the bare fact of the universality of sin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet the fall is not simply a question of rational deduction. It is a point of divine revelation. It refers to what we call original sin. Original sin does not refer primarily to the first or original sin committed by Adam and Eve. Original sin refers to the result of the first sin—the corruption of the human race. Original sin refers to the fallen condition in which we are born.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Bible clearly teaches that our original parents, Adam and Eve, fell in sin. Subsequently, every human being has been born with a sinful and corrupt nature. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That the fall occurred is clear in Scripture. The fall was devastating. How it came to pass is open to dispute even among Reformed thinkers. The Westminster Confession explains the event simply, much in the manner that Scripture explains it:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our first parents, being seduced by the subtlety and temptation of Satan, sinned, in eating the forbidden fruit. This their sin, God was pleased, according to His wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order it to His own glory. (WCF 6:1)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thus, the fall occurred. The results, however, reached far beyond Adam and Eve. They not only touched all mankind, but decimated all mankind. We are sinners in Adam. We cannot ask, “When does the individual become a sinner?” For the truth is that human beings come into existence in a state of sinfulness. They are seen by God as sinful because of their solidarity with Adam.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Westminster Confession again elegantly expresses the results of the fall, particularly as it relates to human beings:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the parts and faculties of soul and body. They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed, and the same death in sin, and corrupted nature, conveyed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions. (WCF 6:1-4)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That last phrase is crucial. We are sinners not because we sin. Rather, we sin because we are sinners. Thus David laments, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2051%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 51:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/are-people-basically-good" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/are-people-basically-good
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 19 Sep 2023 20:13:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-19-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-18-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-18-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-18-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two Things
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Galatians%205:25/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Galatians 5:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The two most important things in our Christian journey are the life of faith and the walk of faith. The person who grasps this is not far from being a master in experimental [experiential] theology, for they are vital points to a Christian. You will never find true faith unaccompanied by true godliness; on the other hand, you will never discover a truly holy life that does not have at its root a living faith relying upon the righteousness of Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Woe to those who seek the one without the other! There are some who cultivate faith and forget holiness; these may be very high in orthodoxy, but they shall be very deep in condemnation, for they hold the truth in unrighteousness! There are others who have strained after a holy life but have denied the faith, like the Pharisees of old, of whom the Master said they were “whitewashed tombs.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.23.27.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 23:27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) We must have faith, for this is the foundation; we must have holiness of life, for this is the superstructure.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What use is the mere foundation of a building to a man on the day of tempest? Can he hide himself in it? He needs a house to cover him as well as a foundation for that house. Even so we need the superstructure of spiritual life if we want comfort in the day of doubt. But do not seek a holy life without faith, for that would be to erect a house that can provide no permanent shelter because it has no foundation on a rock. Let faith and life be put together, and like the two supports of an archway, they will make our devotion endure. Like light and heat streaming from the same sun, they are full of blessing. Like the two pillars of the temple, they are for glory and for beauty. They are two streams from the fountain of grace, two lamps lit with holy fire, two olive trees watered by heavenly care.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord, give us today life internally, and it will reveal itself externally to Your glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/18/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/18/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 Sep 2023 12:58:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-18-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-15-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-15-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-15-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bad news?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He is not afraid of bad news.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%20112:7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 112:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christian, you ought not to be afraid of the arrival of bad news; because if you are distressed by such, you are no different from other men. They do not have your God to run to; they have never proved His faithfulness as you have done, and it is no wonder if they are bowed down with alarm and cowed with fear. But you profess to be of another spirit; you have been born again to a living hope, and your heart lives in heaven and not on earthly things. If you are seen to be distracted as other men, what is the value of that grace that you profess to have received? Where is the dignity of that new nature that you claim to possess?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Again, if you should be filled with alarm like others, you would no doubt be led into the sins so common to them under trying circumstances. The ungodly, when they are overtaken by bad news, rebel against God; they murmur and maintain that God has dealt harshly with them. Will you fall into that same sin? Will you provoke the Lord as they do?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Moreover, unconverted men often run to wrong means in order to escape from difficulties, and you will be sure to do the same if your mind yields to the present pressure. Trust in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. Your wisest course is to do what Moses did at the Red Sea: “Stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/EXO.14.13.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Exodus 14:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) For if you give way to fear when you hear bad news, you will be unable to meet the trouble with that calm composure that prepares for duty and sustains in adversity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How can you glorify God if you play the coward? Saints have often sung God’s high praises in the fires, but when you act as if there were no one to help, will your doubting and despondency magnify the Most High? Then take courage and, relying in sure confidence upon the faithfulness of your covenant God, “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2014%3A27/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 14:27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/15/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/15/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 15 Sep 2023 12:47:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-15-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-14-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-14-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-14-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The God Who Remembers: Hannah
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord, remember us to remind us, that we may know all good things come from you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hannah’s story is one that fills us with pity. She doesn’t have the one good thing she hopes for: a child. She is forced to share her husband with a cruel co-wife who rubs her infertility in her face. And yet she prays, silently and fervently, so fervently in fact that she is mistaken for a drunk woman mumbling to herself. Amidst all this sadness and pity, however, Hannah’s story ends in goodness. And it’s because of this, I’m afraid Hannah’s story isn’t only pitiable, but one of those Biblical stories ripe for bad theological takeaways.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Takeaway 1: Pray fervently (the more drunk you look, the better) for what you do not have, and you will get it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Takeaway 2: The more hardship you endure from a spiteful enemy, the more likely you will be rewarded in the end.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And perhaps the worst one,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Takeaway 3: If you want God to fulfill his promises, you must first make a promise to him. Or, less theologically stated, if you want something good to happen in life, you need to make it happen yourself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The last takeaway comes so naturally to us. I grew up hearing, "You don't make deals with God," yet I still find myself doing this all the time - explicitly and implicitly. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Unlike Hannah, who wanted to get pregnant and couldn’t, I'm currently pregnant, eight months pregnant, to be exact. And I can find signs of my wheeling and dealing everywhere:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            If I eat three dates a day, I'll go into labor at precisely the right time. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            If I do ten specific exercises every day, I'll have an easy delivery.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            If I spend enough time with my two toddlers now, they won't hate me or the new baby later.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            If I pray for the baby every night, God will give me a peaceful infant. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Of course, there is nothing wrong with wanting these outcomes, working towards them, or praying for them. There is nothing wrong with bringing your hopes and desires before God. But problems always arise when we attempt to connect our actions to outcomes in an unequivocal and formulaic way. For the Christian, this is what leads us to assume we can cajole God into doing our will. It's what leads us to believe our plans set the tone for God's plan. And it's also what leads us to despair when things don't go our way because we suddenly only have ourselves to blame. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But as we already have seen this week, when God remembers, he doesn't do so based on our actions. God's remembrance isn't a reward for our faithful behavior, promises, good deeds, or intentions. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/the-god-who-remembers-the-action-of-remembrance" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Chad Bird said
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , "God's remembrance is an act of divine mercy," which means it's not done based on any measure (or lack) of our human will or exertion (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%209%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 9:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Instead, God's mercy flows out of his goodness, his faithfulness, and his never-ending love for his wayward people. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God didn’t need Hannah’s plea and vow as a tap on his divine shoulder, reminding him to remember. He does this just fine without us. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I'm not sure what Hannah thought when she promised, "O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head" (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%201%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 1:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But, I like to think she knew her God well enough to realize deal-making wasn't a game he played. She isn't saying, "If I do X, then you’ll do Y," instead, she's appealing to his goodness. She's referencing the promises God has already made and the character he's already displayed to show compassion to his people - regardless of their sadness, despair, successes, or failures. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Think of her prayer, "Don't forget your servant," as the prayer, "Remember me so that I may see the loving, merciful action of the God I have faith in," or in other words, "Remember me to remind me." What a prayer! One that takes our eyes off our offerings and places our eyes on who God has said he is and who he has shown us he will continue to be. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God didn’t need Hannah’s plea and vow as a tap on his divine shoulder, reminding him to remember. He does this just fine without us. This shouldn't negate Hannah's faithfulness, need, or suffering. Instead, it should further support the reality that, as James reminds us, "Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from above" (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/James%201%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           James 1:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ). In every perfect gift God gives, he remembers us, starting, of course, with the gift of Jesus himself: given to us so that we might have forgiveness and righteousness. He is a habitual remember-er, not a businessman looking for the most favorable transaction, so he gives and gives and gives with the only intention being to remind us of his love. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is why when God gives us good gifts, we can't help but give back to him. We may not always spot it, but God's gifts always unleash a flood of joy. That's what his goodness causes. That's what Hannah shows us. Lord, remember us to remind us, that we may know all good things come from you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/the-god-who-remembers-hannah" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/the-god-who-remembers-hannah
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 14 Sep 2023 17:41:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-14-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-13-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-13-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-13-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Songs for Today - Joy...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           CS Lewis once observed, ‘I think we all sin by needlessly disobeying the apostolic injunction to “rejoice” as much as by anything else’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           rejoicing
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is not just an apostolic injunction. Various psalms in the Old Testament Psalter pulsate with exhortations to sing our praise to the Lord with joy in our hearts. So, Psalm 96 begins, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The psalm seems to have been for the celebration of the time, some 3,000 years ago, when King David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. The Ark was the sign of God’s steadfast commitment to his people. First Chronicles, chapter 16 quotes the psalm almost in full.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As with any good poetry, a number of themes are tightly woven together. Two particularly stand out: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           sing
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           tell
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sing
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Three times we are exhorted to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           sing to the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Vital Christianity always gives rise to joyful singing because we have every good reason to rejoice. The words, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , stir us to lift our gaze beyond the material world: there is 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           one
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The great commandment that Jesus quoted is found in Deuteronomy chapter 6, verse 4: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            And Isaiah chapter 45, verse 5 says: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me there is no god…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Paul the Apostle echoes this when he writes in First Corinthians: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           we know that “no idol in the world really exists,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           there is no God but one
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (8:4).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The world we live in is a most unusual place, and the more scientists discover about it, the more extraordinary it seems. There are high-level chemists and physicists who agree that the universe is not some gigantic accident, but rather the product of a creator’s genius. Indeed, when we look around us with open minds, we see how true this is.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Everything that exists came into being at God’s command, be it the structure of the universe, the atmosphere that surrounds our world and enables us to live, or the proportions of land and sea. All reflect God’s perfect design.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The implications are enormous – both encouraging and frightening. Encouraging because we learn we are not alone in the universe: there is a purpose and direction to life. Frightening because all humanity is called upon to do business with this God, for he alone is the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But there is something else that is most significant. The psalm-writer exhorts us all to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            sing to the Lord a
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           new
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            song
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . While 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           new
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            could refer to new music, the context suggests something far more significant: we are to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           tell of his salvation from day to day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            The 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is not just creator, he is also a merciful savior. We are to glory in and tell of his mercies that are new every day. I wonder how many of us do this?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Personally, I find it helpful to start the day with a Bible reading and prayer – and to end the day with prayer. This helps me reflect on God’s mercies each day. Furthermore, as I recognise God’s daily work in my life, I am more motivated to sing his praises in church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Which brings us to a second important theme: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tell
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Verse 3 reads: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tell the nations…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
             We are to sing so that the city and the nations will hear. With the word 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           tell
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , the direction of the psalm changes – from worship of God, to telling the nations. In fact, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible uses the word from which we get the word 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           evangelize
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is an important sequence of ideas here. True worship will express itself in gospel proclamation. If we say we worship this Lord, we will want to introduce the nations to him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From the time of Kings David and Solomon Jerusalem was a busy international city. In Jesus’ day the temple layout included a court for Gentiles where the songs of God’s people would have been overheard by the pagan visitors.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , the psalm continues
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            The 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord is to be revered above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The logic is clear: the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           majesty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           glory
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            of God are to be announced throughout the world for the simple reason that there is only 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           one
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            God. And, as we would expect, the focus of exhortation shifts from God’s ancient people, the Jewish people, to the nations (verses 7-10). In the singing of this psalm, visitors in Jerusalem would 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           overhear
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            the exhortation to attend to Israel’s God, the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            who not only made the heavens, but whose mercies are new each day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 96 is so important in providing a link between worship and witness,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            between ‘songs 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           to
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            God’ and ‘speech 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           to
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            the nations’, between the reality of faith and gospel outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This theme of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            language develops in the Old Testament. The prophets spoke of a day when God’s anointed king would be revealed and announced to all the world. For example, Isaiah writes: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , who announces
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           proclaims the gospel of
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (52:7).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The content of the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is the news, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Your God reigns”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . From the time of these prophetic words of Isaiah, God’s people looked for 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the messenger
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            who would announce God’s 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           King
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . As we now look back through the lens of the New Testament we see that the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           messenger
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            has not only come, but that he himself is 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the king
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . God’s king, the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , is Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The theme that there is only one God who is 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            of all reaches its climax in the closing verses of Psalm 96: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Say among the nations, “The Lord is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity.” Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Martin Luther reflected:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ is Himself the joy of all, The sun that warms and lights us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By His grace He doth impart Eternal sunshine to the heart;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The night of sin is ended. Hallelujah!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give humble and hearty thanks for all your goodness and loving kindness to us and to all people. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your amazing love in the redemption of the world through our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace and for the hope of glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            And, we pray, give us that due sense of all your mercies, that our hearts may be truly thankful, and that we may declare your praise not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/songs-for-today-joy/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/songs-for-today-joy/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 14 Sep 2023 15:28:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-13-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-12-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-12-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-12-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Out with the New, In with the Old
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I love old things. I love old furniture, old cars, and old houses, but I especially love old books—old, dusty books. And I don't know about you, but dust makes me sneeze. Recently, my wife and I were in an antique shop, and I found an 1833 edition of Thomas Watson’s Body of Practical Divinity. The book was tucked away in the back of the store on the top of an old cherry-wood bookshelf that held dozens of copies of Reader’s Digest condensed books from the 1960s. Whoever placed it on that shelf certainly did not know the value of Watson’s publication. And by the look of the dust on top of the book, my guess is that this classic work had been sitting there for twenty years or more. And sure enough, immediately after opening the aged tome, I sneezed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We must take up and wipe the dust off the historic creeds of the church that have stood the test of time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thankfully, my reaction to old, dusty things is merely a temporary and unpleasant expiration of breath that may or may not recur. However, the reaction that many people have to old things is not as meaningless. These days, our reaction to anything that is advanced in years is generally negative. In the twenty-first century, everything is new and improved. Out with the old, in with the new—whatever it is, if it even has the appearance of age, it’s time for something more contemporary. We are a society that revels in the latest thing, and we are so consumed by the thrill of what’s next that we have forgotten the things of our past. As a result, we have lost our way. And if we, the people of God, are to be faithful stewards of our past, if we are to make any difference, then we must remind ourselves of the hard lessons we have learned from history. We must take up and wipe the dust off the historic creeds of the church that have stood the test of time. We must revive our great heritage and reawaken our churches to the heroes of our faith who have stood against the world as guardians of the Christian faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Throughout history, the world has attempted to destroy the church. In every century, emperors and heretics alike have tried to change the historic beliefs of the church, and every time they have failed. History has proven that the fourth century was a time of definition. It was an era of undying heroes and unwavering confessions. And now, in the twenty-first century, there has never been a more crucial time for the people of God to rekindle the faith of our fourth-century fathers so that we might live coram Deo, before the face of the God of history, the Ancient of Days.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/out-new-old" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/out-new-old
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 Sep 2023 13:33:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-12-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-11-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-11-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-11-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not of the World
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be separate from them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/2%20Corinthians%206:17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Corinthians 6:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Christian, while in the world, is not to be of the world. He should be distinguished from it in the great object of his life. To him, “to live” should be “Christ.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PHP.1.21.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Philippians 1:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) Whether he eats or drinks or whatever he does, he should do it all to God’s glory. You may lay up treasure; but lay it up in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy, where thieves do not break in and steal. You may work to be rich; but make it your ambition to be “rich in faith” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JAS.2.5.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           James 2:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and good works. You may pursue pleasure; but when you are happy, sing psalms and make melody in your hearts to the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In your spirit, as well as in your aim, you should differ from the world. Waiting humbly before God, always conscious of His presence, delighting in fellowship with Him, and seeking to know His will, you will prove that you are a citizen of heaven. And you should be separate from the world in your actions. If a thing is right, though you lose by doing it, it must be done; if it is wrong, though you would gain from it, you must reject the sin for your Master’s sake. You must have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them. Walk worthy of your high calling and dignity. Remember, Christian, that you are a son of the King of kings. Therefore, keep yourself unstained from the world. Do not soil the fingers that are to serve the King. Do not let your eyes become the windows of lust, eyes that will soon see the King in His beauty. Do not let your feet, which are soon to walk the golden streets, be defiled in dirty places. Do not allow your heart to be filled with pride and bitterness, but prepare it to be filled with heaven and to overflow with ecstatic joy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then rise my soul! and soar away,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above the thoughtless crowd;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above the pleasures of the day,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And splendors of the proud;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Up where eternal beauties bloom,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And pleasures all divine;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Where wealth, that never can consume,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And endless glories shine.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/11/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/11/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 11 Sep 2023 16:28:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-11-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-8-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-8-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-8-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our Fruit comes from the Root
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From me comes your fruit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Hosea%2014:8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hosea 14:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our fruit comes from God as a result of our union with Him. The fruit of the branch is directly traceable to the root. Sever the connection, the branch dies, and no fruit is produced. By virtue of our union with Christ we bring forth fruit. Every bunch of grapes has been first in the root; it has passed through the stem and flowed through the sap vessels and fashioned itself externally into fruit. But it was first in the stem; so also every good work is first in Christ, and then it is brought forth in us. Christian, treasure this precious union with Christ, for it must be the source of all the fruitfulness that you can ever hope to know. If you were not joined to Jesus Christ, you would be a fruitless branch indeed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our fruit comes from God as to spiritual providence. When the rain falls from heaven, when the clouds look down from on high and are about to distill their liquid treasure, when the bright sun swells the berries in the cluster, each heavenly benefit may whisper to the tree and say, “From me comes your fruit.” The fruit owes much to the root—that is essential to fruitfulness—but it also owes a great deal to external influences. How much we owe to God’s gracious providence, by which He provides us constantly with quickening, teaching, consolation, strength, or whatever else we need. To this we owe all of our usefulness or virtue.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our fruit comes from God as to skillful gardening. The gardener’s sharp-edged knife promotes the fruitfulness of the tree by thinning the clusters and by cutting off superfluous shoots. So is it, Christian, with the pruning that the Lord does to you. “My Father is the vine dresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away; and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.15.1-2.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 15:1-2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) Since God is the author of our spiritual graces, let us give Him all the glory for our salvation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/08/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/08/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 08 Sep 2023 13:31:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-8-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-7-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-7-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-7-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Defeating the Goliath of Addiction
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We must also address the stigma surrounding addiction within so many churches.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Addiction is a feral beast lurking in the shadows, eager to pounce on the unsuspecting. It's a modern-day Goliath, a giant that seems insurmountable. But there is no reason to be afraid, for just like David wielded a sling and a stone, we have weapons of our own—the Word of God, prayer, and the fellowship of believers. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, let's start by acknowledging that addiction is not a new phenomenon. In the pages of the Bible, we find stories of individuals taken captive by their own desires and weaknesses. Take, for instance, King Solomon, the wisest of all men. He succumbed to the allure of excess, seeking fulfillment in material wealth and earthly pleasures. But in the end, he found that these pursuits were nothing but chasing after the wind. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In our modern world, the obsessive pursuit of pleasure and equally fervent attempts to escape from pain often lead people down the treacherous path of addiction. But pastors, in particular, are called to shepherd God's flock toward the forgiveness of sin, which leads to true freedom from addiction. And it all begins with the Word of God, our fortress and refuge against the impingement of addiction.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Word of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Bible is not just a collection of ancient stories; it's a living, breathing testament to God's justice, grace, and mercy inspired by the Holy Spirit. It's a beacon of light for those lost in the wilderness of addiction, offering new life and hope through faith in Christ. And as David received strength from the Lord to face Goliath, we too are strengthened by God to walk with those struggling with addiction, encouraging them through God's Word and prayer to lean on the promises of God's Word for their every need of body, mind, and soul. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Therefore, we must immerse ourselves in the Bible, not as judges but as students of our great teacher, Jesus Christ, to whom every Word of Scripture testifies. In the pages of the Bible, we learn from those who were also overwhelmed by temptation that they were never abandoned by God, no matter how heinous their sin. Just as God was with David during and after his destructive affair with Bathsheba, he walks with us in our worst moments. His Word is our one consistent source of comfort, offering solace to the wounded soul. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It doesn't end there. Prayer is also a potent weapon in peoples' struggle against addiction, our direct line to our Heavenly Father. The Bible shows countless examples of individuals crying out to God in their distress. The Psalms, in particular, are a treasure trove of raw and honest prayers from people like David, who were no strangers to suffering and addiction of various forms. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through prayer, we speak with God like children talk to their doting father, acknowledging our powerlessness and seeking God's guidance and strength. And for addicts and those in recovery who do not or will not pray, we can teach them that prayer is not just a mechanical ritual but a lifeline to the One who can lift them out of the mire of addiction. And just as Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, we too can receive strength, wisdom, and hope in our communion with God through prayer. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Fellowship of Believers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now, let's talk about the fellowship of believers. The early Christians gathered in homes to break bread, pray, and hear the teachings of the apostles read and preached. We, too, should invite those struggling with addiction to find refuge in a community of believers who also come to Jesus for comfort and peace. This communion is like a hospital for wounded souls, a place where people can be brutally honest, emotionally naked, and receive fellowship from their brothers and sisters in Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is vital because isolation often reigns supreme in the prison of addiction. But it is in fellowship with other believers and those who've walked the same path that sobriety and freedom begin. Again, pastors, in particular, should encourage and nurture these bonds of fellowship. They should strive to foster an environment where individuals are encouraged to come to their pastor to confess their sin and converse about their struggles and victories, knowing that they are confessing towards absolution rather than judgment and condemnation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This communion is like a hospital for wounded souls, a place where people can be brutally honest, emotionally naked, and receive fellowship from their brothers and sisters in Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The power of confession and absolution within the communion of saints cannot be overstated. Just as the Apostle Paul was open and honest about his conversion from persecutor to believer, those in recovery serve as instruments of God's grace that inspire others with their testimony about God's intervention in their lives, which brought them to sobriety, faith, and freedom. It's a testament to the redemptive power of God's Word, a living, active testimony of the Word made flesh in their lives. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We must also address the stigma surrounding addiction within so many churches. Just as the religious leaders of Jesus' time looked down upon tax collectors and sinners, we, too, must guard against self-righteousness. Addiction does not discriminate; it affects people from all walks of life. Therefore, armed with God's Word and faith, pastors and fellow believers should strive to foster an environment of forgiveness, compassion, and grace, just as Jesus did. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yes, addiction is a formidable opponent, but it is not invincible. With the Word of God as our guide, prayer as our weapon against temptation and sin, and the fellowship of believers and those in recovery as our support, we can combat this feral beast head-on. Just as David faced Goliath armed with God's gifts of faith and courage, so too can those who struggle receive hope and healing when God turns them towards sobriety and freedom from addiction.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           As the apostle reminds us, we are the hands and feet of Christ, proclaiming forgiveness and grace in the name of Jesus to those in need. For pastors, we are the shepherds whom God calls to carry the lost sheep back to the fold. And so, let us pray that our Heavenly Father never allows us to forget that and keep us ever-mindful that, in the words of the Apostle Paul, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." So, with Christ Jesus teaching, strengthening, and protecting us, we may overcome the giant of addiction and witness a new dawn of hope and restoration, given to us as a gift to the eternal glory of God in Jesus Christ, through whom our names are written in heaven.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/defeating-the-goliath-of-addiction" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/defeating-the-goliath-of-addiction
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 07 Sep 2023 11:19:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-7-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-6-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-6-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-6-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Songs for Today: Doubt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of the things I love about the Bible is its earthy realism. It understands the world we live in – the good and the bad, the grief and the joys. It also understands how we feel about life’s injustices especially when we see people who mock the notion of God, enjoying success. Nothing ever seems to go wrong for them. And as well as the unfairness we often feel, there are the realities of droughts and famines, floods and fires, earthquakes and ruthless autocratic rulers. Why doesn’t God step in? It seems so out of character, if he is all-powerful and truly good.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           True faith will always have questions. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In fact, faith that refuses to ask questions is one that leaves itself open to the contempt of the skeptic. True faith will want to address tough questions and be willing to experience the doubts that arise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Now it’s important to note that to have doubts is not to lack faith:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            doubt is not the opposite of faith.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doubt and unbelief are two very different things. Doubt is something that only a believer can experience, for you can only doubt what you believe.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come with me to Psalm 73. It’s the first of three Psalms that I will be touching on as we move into a new season. The Psalms are God’s ancient hymn book for his people. They provide meditations on questions raised in everyday experiences. Over these three Wednesdays we will consider Psalms 73, 96 and 103 as we explore the themes of doubt, joy, and mercy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doubt. Psalm 73 is a reflection written by a man who experienced doubt. He came within a hair’s breadth of abandoning his faith in God: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (73:2). Yet at the end of the psalm he tells us he felt closer to God than ever before: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, to tell of all your works
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (73:28)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            As the psalm unfolds we learn of his spiritual pilgrimage – how he progressed from doubt to a surer trust in God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of his big questions is framed by what we might say is a theological principle – that God is good to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the upright
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (73:1). ‘Why is it then’, he asks, ‘that many who are godless find life easy while I suffer? Where is God?’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, a tone of bitterness flows through verses 3 through 11. It’s as though he is saying, ‘Come on, let’s face it, whatever we say when we go to church, it is the self-centered, proud, deceitful and ruthless people who succeed. Healthy and wealthy, nothing seems to bring them down. No-one seems to be able to call them to account. ‘They get rewarded for their crimes with popularity’, the psalmist observes. ‘God is irrelevant’, they say in mocking tones, rejecting any thought of divine retribution. Justice is the issue troubling the poet.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider what triggered the writer’s crisis of faith: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All in vain I have kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all day long I have been plagued and am punished every morning
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             (73:13f). For many, injustice only becomes an issue when it touches them. In those times we ask: ‘God, why me?’ It’s here that the first person singular pronouns give us away: ‘Why should
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            suffer?’ ‘Why
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           me
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            God?’ The psalm-writer articulates it: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            envied the arrogant when
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            saw the prosperity of the wicked
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (73:15).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The solution.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In verses 15 following, we discover how the poet worked through his doubts. He went to church: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When… I went into the sanctuary of God… I perceived their end.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Good churches not only read the Bible, but believe it to be God’s authentic, self-revelation. And so, they teach it and as they do they put God at the center of the vision of God’s people. This is vitally important. For it is only when God is at the center of our vision that we see life as it really is. We’re like the moon – we live on borrowed light. It’s only when we turn our face towards God through his Word that we see the light. But as long as we put ‘me’ at the center of life, our vision will be distorted.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So it’s only when we learn from God’s Word that we begin to see the true light revealed by God. And when the psalmist reflected on God’s Word he began to see what happens to those who choose not to believe: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They are like a dream when one awakes; on awaking you despise their phantoms
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (73:20)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            As far as the Bible is concerned, this is dreadfully real.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The idea of a final day of accounting is mocked today. But when we think about it, if there is no ultimate judgement the world is reduced to moral indifference: goodness itself has no value. Furthermore, God’s people realize that just because we can’t see the future doesn’t mean it is imaginary. God sees it, even though we don’t.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is probably no more terrible judgment on godless men and women than the reality that one day God will ignore them forever. ‘Depart from me, I never knew you,’ Jesus will say. What chilling words to hear from the Lord of the universe. What a terrifying nightmare to be despised by God. When the psalmist went to church and put God at the center of his vision, he understood how precarious is the prosperity of the godless. It won’t last, he realized.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But the psalm-writer also learned that despite his doubts and foolish talk, he was a child of God: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nevertheless I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me into glory
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (73:23). To hear God’s Word in the company of his people is a powerful grace-gift from God. It prompts us to see our doubts for what they are and opens our eyes to the riches of faith. God holds us by the hand, guides us with his counsel, and will bring us to everlasting glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We today have all the greater assurance of this because we live on the other side of the life and death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Without him we will not know life in all its fullness and joy. CS Lewis once put it this way: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All your life an unattainable ecstasy has hovered just beyond the grasp of your consciousness. The day is coming when you will wake to find, beyond all hope, that you have attained it, or else, that it was within your reach and you have lost it forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Almighty God, you have conquered death through your dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ and have opened to us the gate of everlasting life: grant us by your grace to set our mind on things above, so that by your continual help our whole life may be transformed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in everlasting glory. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Heavenly Father, the giver of all good things, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and grant that by your holy inspiration we may think those things that are good, and by your grace and guidance do them; through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/songs-for-today-doubt/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/songs-for-today-doubt/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Sep 2023 12:11:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-6-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-5-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-5-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-5-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Should I Tithe?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tithing is giving back to God a portion of our income, the fullness of which is already His. God created everything, and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Psalm%2024%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 24:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            teaches us that “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness therein.” Everything belongs to Him. When we tithe, we are giving back to God some of what He has given to us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The word tithe means “tenth.” In the Old Testament, we see that Abraham and Jacob gave tithes even before the law of Moses was instituted (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gen.%2014%3A19-20%3B%2028%3A20-22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 14:19-20; 28:20-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The Israelites were later commanded to give a tenth of their increase to God (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lev.%2027%3A30/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lev. 27:30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), and this tithe supported the Levites, as well as the widows and orphans in Israel (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Num.%2018%3A21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Num. 18:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Deut.%2014%3A22-29/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deut. 14:22-29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). In the New Testament, we find the practice of tithing, with an added call to give generously. The church supports, and is called to support, ministers of the gospel (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%204%3A16-18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 4:16-18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1CO.9.14.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 9:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1TI.5.17-18.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 1 Tim. 5:17, 18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), as well as the needs of its members, especially of orphans and widows (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Acts%202%3A44%2C%2045/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 2:44, 45
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1CO.16.1-3.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 16:1-3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1TI.5.3.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Tim. 5:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tithing is giving back to God a portion of our income, the fullness of which is already His. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is important to remember that tithing, while a duty, is also a privilege. One of the ways we take part in God’s mission is through tithing. When we give to the local church and Christian ministries, we play an active role in the advance of the gospel. When we remember this about tithing, it is easy to tithe from a willing heart. “God loves a cheerful giver” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/2CO.9.7.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 9:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), so we should tithe with thanksgiving for what God has provided us and with faithfulness that He will continue to provide for us. We must remember God’s promise to those who give generously, and we should remember the goal of our giving: God’s glory (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/2CO.9.6-15.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 9:6-15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/should-i-tithe" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/should-i-tithe
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Sep 2023 14:14:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-5-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-4-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-4-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-4-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sick with Sin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “I will; be clean.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Mark%201:41/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 1:41
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The primeval darkness heard God say, “Let there be light,” and immediately there was light. The word of the Lord Jesus is equal in majesty to that ancient word of power. Redemption, like creation, has its word of might. Jesus speaks, and it is done. Leprosy yielded to no human remedies, but it fled at once at the Lord’s “I will.” The disease exhibited no hopeful signs or tokens of recovery; nature contributed nothing to its own healing. But the unaided word effected the entire work on the spot and forever. The sinner is in a more miserable plight than the leper; let him imitate his example and go to Jesus, “imploring him and kneeling [say] to him . . .” Let him exercise what little faith he has, even though it should go no further than “If you will, you can make me clean.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There need be no doubt as to the result of the application. Jesus heals all who come and casts out none. In reading the narrative in which our morning’s text occurs, it is worthy of careful consideration that Jesus touched the leper. This unclean person had broken through the regulations of the ceremonial law and pressed into the house, but Jesus, far from chiding him, broke through the law Himself in order to meet him. He made an interchange with the leper, for while He cleansed him, He contracted by that touch a Levitical defilement.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even so Jesus Christ was made sin for us, although in Himself He knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. If only poor sinners would go to Jesus, believing in the power of His blessed substitutionary work, they would soon learn the power of His gracious touch. The hand that multiplied the loaves, that saved sinking Peter, that upholds afflicted saints, that crowns believers—that same hand will touch every seeking sinner and in a moment make him clean. The love of Jesus is the source of salvation. He loves, He looks, He touches us, and we live.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/04/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/04/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Sep 2023 15:17:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-4-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 9-1-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-1-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-1-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Divine Guidance
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You guide me with your counsel,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           and afterward, you will receive me to glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2073:24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 73:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The psalmist felt his need of divine guidance. He had just been discovering the foolishness of his own heart, and to prevent himself from being constantly led astray by it, he resolved that God’s counsel should be his guide. A sense of our own folly is a great step toward being wise, when it leads us to rely on the wisdom of the Lord. The blind man leans on his friend’s arm and reaches his home in safety, and likewise we should give ourselves up implicitly to divine guidance, without doubting, assured that even though we cannot see, it is always safe to trust the All-seeing God. “You will” is a blessed expression of confidence. He was sure that the Lord would not neglect the necessary task.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here is a word for you, believer; rest in it. Be sure that God will be your counselor and friend; He will guide you; He will direct all your ways. In His written Word you have this assurance fulfilled in part, for Holy Scripture is His “counsel” to you. We are happy to have God’s Word as our constant guide! What is the sailor without his compass? And what is the Christian without the Bible? This is the unerring chart, the map in which every shoal is described, and all the channels from the quicksands of destruction to the harbor of salvation mapped and marked by one who knows the way.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           O God we bless You, that we may trust You to guide us now, and even to the end! After this guidance through life, the psalmist anticipates a divine reception—“and afterward . . . receive me to glory.” What a thought for you, believer! God Himself will receive you in glory—you! Though you are wandering, erring, straying, still He will bring you safe at last to glory! This is your portion; live on it today, and if perplexities should surround you, go in the strength of this text straight to the throne.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/01/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/01/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2023 11:24:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-9-1-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-31-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-31-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-31-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Inner Ring
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The issue is not the existence of so-called inner rings, but our desire and willingness to spend our lives in order to gain from an inner ring what is freely promised in Christ: hope, security, and identity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are two interconnected storylines in Scripture. The first storyline is God establishing his kingdom, through Christ, according to his covenant promises. The second storyline is man’s search for hope, security, and identity. Ultimately, man’s search for hope, security, and identity can only be satisfied by God establishing his kingdom through Christ according to his covenant promises.However, in our sinful flesh, we eschew God’s kingdom, Christ, and covenant promises and venture out to find our hope, security, and identity elsewhere. This is the story of Adam and Eve. This is the story of Babel. This is the story of Israel repeated ad nauseam. This is the story of every man and woman in history, save Christ of course. This is frequently the story of the church in any given age. And, this is your story and mine. God calls us into a hope, security, and identity in his kingdom established through Christ according to his covenant promises, but we opt to purchase from the world what is freely offered by God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his essay, “The Inner Ring,” [1] C.S. Lewis deftly pulls the covers back on how this world works and what it is that we long for. The world is made up of a series of interconnected, disconnected, and concentric rings of belonging, and we can, if we are willing to venture a bit of honesty, frame the stories of our lives by our desire for and pursuit of finally, perhaps, belonging to what we imagine to be THE inner ring. Lewis says it this way, “I believe that in all men’s lives at certain periods, and in many men’s lives at all periods between infancy and extreme old age, one of the most dominant elements is the desire to be inside the local Ring and the terror of being left outside.” [2] We imagine this illusive inner ring will finally provide us with the hope, identity, and security for which we so desperately long. We want the inner ring to do the work of God, to announce to us the good news of the kingdom, or a kingdom, to which we belong. However, as Lewis points out, these rings are terribly problematic and asking so much from them is a fool’s errand. As it turns out, upon finally arriving on the inside we find there is yet another, more-inner ring. Or, we find that the ring has changed or moved and suddenly we are no longer in it. [3] The inner rings of the world are, in fact, too much like a magician’s linking rings, which behave in inexplicable and unpredictable ways to offer any real hope, security, or identity at all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lewis, in his typically even-handed way, admits it is not the existence of inner rings per se that is the problem. [4] Indeed, as is the case with any good, modern “idol,” the inner ring in-and-of-itself may be a welcome or even necessary part of life. The limits dictated by our finitude mandate that we can only be in deep relationships with a relatively small number of people, thereby creating a kind of inner ring. Organizations need some kind of leadership, which is a type of inner ring. A certain type of inner ring may be of functional necessity. Even Paul, while lamenting the divisions that had grown up in the Corinthian church recognizes that brutal necessity of certain divisions (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor%2011%3A17%E2%80%9322/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor 11:17–22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Likewise Jesus had his twelve disciples and then within the twelve there were Peter, James, and John. As Lewis writes, “It is necessary, and perhaps it is not a necessary evil. But the desire which draws us into Inner Rings is another matter. A thing may be morally neutral and yet the desire for that thing may be dangerous.” [5] The issue is not the existence of so-called inner rings, but our desire and willingness to spend our lives in order to gain from an inner ring what is freely promised in Christ: hope, security, and identity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark writes in his Gospel, “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel’” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Mark%201%3A14%E2%80%9315/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 1:14–15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The gospel is the good news of the kingdom of God, the rule and reign of Jesus over all things being established by his conquering all of his and our enemies through his own sacrificial death and resurrection. The king’s job is to reign over and save his people (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2010%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 10:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). When the king does this his people live in the kingdom with a certain hope, a sure security, and a true identity. Jesus has done this.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All of our pining to be part of the illusive inner ring, is about finding hope, security, and identity. In our deceived minds, the inner ring is a little kingdom about which we believe three lies. First, we believe if we gain access, it will change our future. This is false hope. Second, we believe if we gain access, we can stay in. This is false security. Third, we believe if we gain access, we matter. This is false identity. The world assures us that the inner ring will provide what we seek, and we, too happily, conform to its way of thinking. When Jesus announced the kingdom of God is at hand, he called his hearers to repentance. Repentance is a change in direction, both the direction of your thoughts and the direction of your actions. You can’t really have one without the other. Jesus calls his hearers not to conform to the ways of the world but to think and move in a different direction.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why did Jesus call his hearers to repentance—a change of mind and direction? He knew the outcome of the ways of the world. He knew what the yield of the inner ring really is. Lewis sums up the true fruit of pursuing the inner ring writing, “Of all the passions the passion for the Inner Ring is most skillful in making a man who is not yet a very bad man do very bad things.” [6] He continues, “As long as you are governed by that desire you will never get what you want. You are trying to peel an onion; if you succeed there will be nothing left. Until you conquer the fear of being an outsider, an outsider you will remain.” [7] As John says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2010%3A10a/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 10:10a
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He takes everything we have as the price of entry into the inner ring we so desire to be part of, but once we are in we find that we are on the outside of a more-inner ring but now with nothing left, and all that remains is our destruction.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When Jesus said, “…the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Mark%201%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 1:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), he was calling his hearers, which of course now includes us, to a change in both thought and direction. Jesus was letting us know a new order has come, and we no longer have to live according to the old order. We no longer have to conform to how the world says things work. We no longer have to pursue the illusory inner ring with its false hope, false security, and false identity. Rather, by faith, we can live under the reign and rule of Christ our King with a certain hope, sure security, and true identity. In other words, we can live the abundant life Jesus came to give (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2010%3A10b/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 10:10b
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). We can live in the freedom that only comes through Christ and is only found in the kingdom of God. This is a life that is utterly different from life in the inner ring and the pursuit thereof. This is a life of freedom. This is a life of hope, security, and identity in the kingdom of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [1] C.S. Lewis, “The Inner Ring,” in The Weight of Glory: and Other Addresses, (San Francisco: Harper San Francisco, 2001), 141–157.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           [2] Ibid, 146.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           [3] Ibid, 143–45.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           [4] Ibid, 148.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           [5] Ibid, 149.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           [6] Ibid, 154
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           [7] Ibid, 154.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/the-inner-ring" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/the-inner-ring
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 31 Aug 2023 11:35:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-31-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-30-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-30-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-30-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Summer Growth: Spiritual Conflict...?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Screwtape Letters
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            CS Lewis says that there are two equal and opposite errors that people fall into regarding the dark powers. One mistake is to disbelieve in their existence, the other is to believe in them to excess.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Ephesians chapter 6, verses 10 through 12, Paul the Apostle writes: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power… For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul takes the reality of conflict in the world to another level: ‘our struggle’, literally, ‘our wrestling’, is not so much against ‘flesh and blood’ but ‘principalities and powers’. In Ephesians chapter 1, verse 10, Paul speaks of the day when all things, ‘in heaven’ and ‘on earth’ will be brought under rule of the Lord Jesus Christ. However, as we read in chapter 6, for the present there’s a war between the two spheres of darkness and light.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Spiritually speaking, God’s people live in enemy occupied territory. The epic that the Gospels reveal is that, without fanfare, the true king has slipped into our world to rescue people enslaved by the dark powers. The Gospel of John records Jesus’s words to Pilate: he could have called on a powerful army to rescue him (John 18:36). However, knowing he was the only one who could defeat the prince of darkness, he came alone to accomplish his mission. He knew that only through his sacrificial death could the powers of evil, and death itself, be conquered (so Colossians, chapter 2, verses 13 through 15). Jesus’s resurrection from the dead validates his victory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, for the present the dark powers, although mortally wounded, continue to do their worst, attempting to destroy God’s ultimate and sure plan to glorify his people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Against this background we learn from Ephesians 6:10 that God’s people are caught up in a spiritual conflict as individuals and together. It is here that all too often we are naïve. We think it is only the smooth-tongued and often deceitful influential and powerful who obstruct spiritual truth in the world. No, Paul warns. There are formidable supernatural forces at work – powers that will not respond to reason. And so we are caught up in a conflict that involves dark powers and human choices.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Put on the whole armor of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , we read in verse 13, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           so that you may be able to stand your ground
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . There will be times when the dark forces press us morally, whispering that everybody’s doing it. Sometimes they press us intellectually: you’re too clever to believe that. Sometimes they press us psychologically: your faith is so intolerant. And there are times when we are physically persecuted. The aim is always the same: to silence the voice of God’s people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stand firm
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Paul says. Be alert. Don’t give in. Put on the inner protection of a godly lifestyle. Our loins need to be girded with God’s truth; we need a breastplate of righteousness; our feet need to be shod with the commitment to spread the gospel of peace, and we need the headpiece of salvation. Our lives are most at risk when our inner defenses are broken through. We need the qualities of integrity, of righteousness, of gospel readiness, and the deep assurance of God’s ultimate victory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The dark powers will do their worst to discredit our integrity, prevent gospel outreach through lethargy and infighting, and demoralize us by discouraging us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We need 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           protection
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : the shield of faith with which we can quench the flaming darts of darkness. We can’t cope on our own. We need to trust Christ, for when we do, the darts of darkness will fall useless. ‘The victory that overcomes the world,’ John tells us, ‘is our faith’ (1 John 5:4).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The sword of the spirit
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . While Paul hasn’t spelled out the meaning of his metaphors up to this point, he wants us to know that God’s Word is a sword. Unlike communism or any other ‘ism’ or ideology, there is no place in Christianity for a literal holy war. God’s new society is not brought in by act of Congress still less at the end of gun. God works through his Word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Word of God is not a message of the freedom fighters, but one that focusses on personal repentance and God’s forgiveness: the building of God’s new society and its compassion and care for a lost world. The victory of God’s Word will have eternal outcomes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Ephes 6:18)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In any battle, communication is vital. In the histories of World War II there is a picture of a young soldier holding together a broken telephone line. Prayer is our field telegraph. Paul urges us to pray constantly, to persevere in prayer, and to be vigilant in prayer. We are to pray in the Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 8:26f helps us understand this, for there Paul tells us that the Spirit works with us in our prayer. In the midst of suffering we’re often at a loss to know what we should say. In those times, Paul tells us, the Spirit comes to our aid, putting our inarticulate thoughts into meaningful prayer, speaking to God on our behalf.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Despite the noise of opposing voices, God’s work continues to make inroads on the kingdom of darkness. When Jesus stood on the hills of ancient Israel with a handful of his followers, he said, ‘On this rock – the rock of faith – I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it’ (Matthew 16:18). He was speaking to a small group of humble, un-influential men.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord Jesus Christ is the legitimate ruler of the world. No, much, much more: the universe. Nothing in all creation will prevent the return of the King.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we conclude the ‘Summer Growth’ season from 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , let’s hold on to the shield of faith, wield the word of God with greater confidence, and most of all, pray – for one another and for others – that we will stand firm, not failing to live under God’s gospel, nor failing to take his gospel to those around us. If you have not already done so, consider TheWord121 as a very accessible ministry to introduce family and friends to the authentic Jesus through the lens of John’s Gospel. You can access it at: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.theword121.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           www.theword121.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Almighty God, give us grace so that we may cast away the works of darkness and put on the armor of light now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came amongst us in great humility: so that on the last day, when he comes again in his glorious majesty to judge the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-spiritual-conflict/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-spiritual-conflict/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Aug 2023 12:21:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-30-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-29-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-29-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-29-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is It Wrong to Doubt My Faith?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Mark%209%3A24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 9:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , a man cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Even though this man had doubts, Jesus recognized his faith and healed his son. Jesus consistently displayed compassion to those with doubts (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2020%3A29/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 20:29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), yet He frequently called out His disciples’ lack of faith (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%2017%3A14%E2%80%9320/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 17:14–20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Mark%209%3A17%E2%80%9319/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 9:17–19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Scripture calls us to examine ourselves (see 2 Cor. 13:5). Testing the quality of our faith and seeing if it lines up with what Scripture teaches is not sinful unbelief. But we can often doubt whether we are in right standing before God and can wonder if our faith is real. The good news is that our salvation ultimately rests on Jesus Christ. We do not look to the quality of our faith to erase our doubts. We look to the One whom we are called to trust. A weak faith and a strong faith will both save us because both connect us to the perfect Savior, Jesus Christ. Ultimately, it is not our faith that saves us; it is Jesus. However, we should seek to grow stronger in our faith every day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus is compassionate and merciful. When you have doubts, go to Him for compassion and mercy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is important to recognize that doubts can lead us to sinful unbelief. The great crowds that surrounded Jesus in His earthly ministry, along with Israel’s religious leaders, ultimately rejected Him. Jesus never tolerated this sort of unbelief (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2010%3A25%2C%2026/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 10:25, 26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and warned that rejecting Him would lead to judgment (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2012%3A48/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 12:48
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Hebrews%203%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hebrews 3:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            warns us, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.” When you wrestle with doubts about your faith, look to the promises of God in Jesus Christ. Jesus is compassionate and merciful. When you have doubts, go to Him for compassion and mercy. This is His desire for you: “Do not disbelieve, but believe” (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2020%3A27/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 20:27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/is-it-wrong-to-doubt-my-faith" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/is-it-wrong-to-doubt-my-faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 29 Aug 2023 23:56:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-29-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-28-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-28-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-28-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Oil and Light from God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Oil for the lamps.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Exodus%2025:6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Exodus 25:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My soul, you really need this, for your lamp will not continue to burn for long without it. Your snuff will smoke and become an offense if light is gone, and gone it will be if you run out of oil. You have no oil well springing up in your human nature, and therefore you must go to them who sell and buy for yourself, or like the foolish virgins you will have to cry, “My lamp has gone out.” Even the consecrated lamps could not give light without oil; though they shone in the tabernacle, they needed to be fed; though no rough winds blew upon them, they required to be trimmed, and your need is just as great. Under the most happy circumstances you cannot give light for another hour unless fresh oil of grace is given to you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not every kind of oil could be used in the Lord’s service; neither the petroleum that exudes so plentifully from the earth, nor the produce of fish, nor that extracted from nuts would be accepted; only one oil was selected, and that was the best olive oil. Pretended grace from natural goodness, fancied grace from priestly hands, or imaginary grace from outward ceremonies will never serve the true child of God; he knows that the Lord would not be pleased with rivers of such oil. He goes to the olive-press of Gethsemane and draws his supplies from Him who was crushed there. The oil of gospel grace is pure and free from sediment and dregs, and so the light that is fed by it is clear and bright. Our churches are the Savior’s golden candelabra, and if they are to be lights in this dark world, they must have plenty of holy oil. Let us pray for ourselves, our ministers, and our churches that they may never lack oil for the light. Truth, holiness, joy, knowledge, love—these are all beams of the sacred light; but we cannot send them out into the darkness unless in private we receive oil from God the Holy Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/28/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/28/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Aug 2023 19:36:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-28-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-25-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-25-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-25-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Faith in Every Sense
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His fruit was sweet to my taste.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Song%20of%20Songs%202:3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Song of Songs 2:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Faith is described in a variety of ways in the Bible. It is sight: “Turn to me and be saved.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.45.22.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 45:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) It is hearing: “Hear, that your soul shall live.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.55.3.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 55:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) Faith is smelling: “Your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/psa.45.8" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 45:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ); “your name is oil poured out.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/sng.3.1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Song of Songs 1:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) Faith is spiritual touch. By this faith the woman came behind and touched the hem of Christ’s garment, and by this we handle the things of the good word of life. Faith is equally the spirit’s taste. “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/psa.119.103" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 119:103
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/jhn.6.54" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 6:54
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of the first performances of faith is hearing. We hear the voice of God not only with the physical ear, but with the spiritual ear; we hear it as God’s Word, and we believe it as such; that is the hearing of faith. Then our mind looks upon the truth as it is presented to us; that is to say, we understand it, we perceive its meaning; that is the seeing of faith. Next we discover its preciousness; we begin to admire it and find how fragrant it is; that is faith in its smell. Then we appropriate the mercies that are prepared for us in Christ; that is faith in its touch. Then follow the enjoyments, peace, delight, communion, which are faith in its taste. Any one of these acts of faith is saving. To hear Christ’s voice as the sure voice of God in the soul will save us; but that which gives true enjoyment is the aspect of faith whereby we taste and see that the Lord is good. In this way we receive Christ, and He becomes, by inward and spiritual apprehension, to be the precious food for our souls. Here we learn to sit under His shadow “with great delight” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/sng.3.1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Song of Songs 2:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and find His fruit sweet to our taste.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/25/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/25/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Aug 2023 11:57:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-25-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-24-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-24-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-24-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What Does Jesus Tell Us to Do
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What if Jesus had said on the cross, “Earn it”? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I grew up in a Christian culture that revolved around W.W.J.D (What Would Jesus Do) bracelets, calls to action, Life Application Study Bibles, and the constant drumbeat of “go and do more for Jesus.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The gospel got me into the Christian club, and now it was my job to live like, look like, and talk like a Christian via my righteous living. Popular, contemporary Christian culture was primarily focused on giving me many things to do as a Christian. The main focus was on my improvement in life. The gospel was passed over to get down to business: the work I did to change the world as a Christian. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The chains of the so-called “purpose-driven life” dragged me down to the bottom of burnout and despair. I escaped only when God sent people into my life who told me about the actual finished work of Jesus Christ for me. It took me crashing and burning from the weight of seminary and spiritual growth charts to finally admitting I could not work out my salvation in the champion Christian life. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The weight of the armor I worked so hard to keep buckled tight to me dropped me to my knees. Being freed from these burdens changed my life and how I see and hear Christian messaging. I could never work to place the armor of God on me. It was God who held his armor on me. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is why I am so “triggered,” as the kids say, when I hear things that emphasize my work for Jesus at the expense of his work for me. When I see church signs that say things like “Jesus died for you. Live for him,” it is clear that, as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/contributors/rod-rosenbladt" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rod Rosenbladt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            has said, “the emPHASIS is on the wrong syLLABLE.” Such statements reveal the desire to worship our work and ourselves rather than Christ. The desire to add that second sentence “Live for him,” after the gospel smacks of the circumcision party coming in and messing up the good news that started in the church in Galatia. It is exactly what C.F.W. Walther identified in the seventh thesis of his work, The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the third place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the Gospel is preached first and then the law; sanctification first and then justification; faith first and then repentance; good works first and then grace. [1]
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Hearing the law after hearing the gospel on a Sunday morning service reminds me of what Captain Miller said to Private Ryan in the movie, Saving Private Ryan. After finding and rescuing Private Ryan, Captain Miller lies dying when he whispers his last words to Ryan, “Earn it.” The movie ends with Ryan as an older man who has lived his entire life wondering if he earned that sacrifice. That daily haunting must have been devastating and terrorizing – without grace and without peace. This could not have been good news for Ryan to hear. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What if Jesus had said on the cross, “Earn it”? Maybe you have often felt as you left church on any given Sunday that you were given this command: “Go and earn it in your living, your serving, your loving, your morals, your speech, your everything. Go and live for Jesus because he died for you! You bear the name of Christ, Christian, so live like it!” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But “Earn it” sounds a lot like “Be Afraid.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fortunately, Christ’s last words before he died on the cross were not “Earn it” but “It is finished.” Jesus said so many times in Scripture to “fear not.” If what you are hearing at the end of a sermon sounds a lot like “Earn it, do more, try harder, or be afraid,” you are not hearing the gospel. Instead, you are hearing some version of the law and are therefore being accused in a way that only the law knows how to do because the law was never meant to bless, resurrect, or give peace to a sinner. It may seem scary and wrong to end a sermon by handing over forgiveness to sinners, but this is the only show in town that can set people free, give life to the spiritually dead, and comfort troubled consciences.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fortunately, Christ’s last words before he died on the cross were not “Earn it” but “It is finished.” Jesus said so many times in Scripture to “fear not.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preaching is not for life application. Instead, preaching is for proclamation. Specifically, for proclaiming this: “Christ was crucified on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins and was raised for your justification.” But what about good works? Surely we need to tell people in church to do good works? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet Scripture tells us that it is the gospel and God himself that produces good works. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%202%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 2:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This echoes an exchange between Jesus and a crowd, “Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%206%3A28-29/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 6:28-29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , NIV).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So what does Jesus leave us with? Fear and motivation to do more and try harder? I think this passage answers that question and settles the matter of what people should leave Sunday morning with: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2014%3A27/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 14:27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Surely, those who grew up in churches and Sunday Schools that were designed to create good, champion Christians in their Christian living might get antsy and demand that you must give them sinners something to do. So after proclaiming the gospel to a church full of sinner saints and handing over the forgiveness of sins, you can give them something to go do. Tell them to do this:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Go in Peace!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [1] C.F.W Walther, “Thesis VII,” essay, in The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 1986), 89.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/what-does-jesus-tell-us-to-do" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/what-does-jesus-tell-us-to-do
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Aug 2023 11:42:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-24-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Why deny the opportunity for sinners to hear the Gospel?</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/why-deny-the-opportunity-for-sinners-to-hear-the-gospel</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why deny the opportunity for sinners to hear the Gospel?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI Overseer
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/rev-w-w-adams-iii" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            asks why people tell us not to preach the Gospel at events and provides insight into why we should go.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53137671618_58603d6430_c.jpg" length="205289" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Aug 2023 20:39:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/why-deny-the-opportunity-for-sinners-to-hear-the-gospel</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/53137671618_58603d6430_c.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-23-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-23-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-23-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Summer Growth: Vital relationships...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Every day we make decisions. It’s part of being human. We can choose. But we know that there are some decisions in life where we have a sense of obligation – a sense of duty. But such obligations need to be awakened. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , writes the Apostle Paul in Ephesians chapter 6, verse 1.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In chapter 6 of his Letter Paul continues the theme of family relationships. Significantly, he speaks of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           obedience in the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            in a child’s relationship with their parents.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Obedience.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Many in our progressive society today don’t agree with the notions of obligation or duty. Ethics has become subjective, people doing what they feel is right for them. It’s one of the reasons why there’s so much ambivalence about sexual matters, or about honesty and justice. So, when a young child questions a parental expectation, they are told, ‘Because we say so’. But, in time the growing child will question such authority. They will want to know if there is a better reason.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s here that many parents today come unstuck. Developing children need to be instructed 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           in the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and, in turn come to understand the nature of the relationships that follow – not simply as rules and regulations, but out of the relationship of love that the Lord has for us and, in turn that parents have for their children. They need to come to know God who, though we were dead through our trespasses, in his mercy has made us alive together with Christ. Without such knowledge children in today’s world may as well do as they like.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Honor your father and mother” – this is the first
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           commandment with a promise: “so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Paul continues (6:2-3).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The promise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Paul conflates the two different versions of the fifth commandment: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Honor your father and mother, that your days may be long”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Exodus 20:12) and, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “that it may go well with you”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Deuteronomy 5:16). The first four of the Ten Commandments are usually understood to refer to our duty to God, and the second six, our duty to our neighbor. Significantly, the Jewish world understood the first five to refer to our duty to God and the second five to our duty to our neighbor. Thus, to honor parents is tightly connected to honoring God, and speaks of children developing and growing in their understanding of God within a relationship of love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, so important is the injunction of obedience to children that Paul promotes it as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the first,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            or 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           primary commandment
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            for children 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           with a promise
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . While interpretations abound concerning Paul’s meaning – it’s actually the only commandment with a promise – let me suggest that we understand it as a general promise, with reference to a stable society. As Martin Luther commented, a stable society is dependent on a secure and safe family life, where growing children learn to obey their parents within a loving framework.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now it’s important to note the caveat that Paul includes here: children are to obey their parents 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           in the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . That is, children are not called upon to obey their parents in matters that conflict with the Lord’s instruction.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Parents. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Paul writes (6:4). These words would have shocked the Roman world where the father was the autocratic head of the family, with untold power over his offspring – including killing a newborn or selling them into slavery. Parents, for 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           mothers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            as well as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           fathers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            can translate the word Paul uses, are not to abuse their children in any way, victimizing them and arousing anger and hatred.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rather, parents are to equip their children in the knowledge and love of the Lord. The words of Deuteronomy chapter 6, verses 4 through 7 come to mind: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The single most important educational influence on our children is their parents. It’s built into the very nature of the parent’s relationship in the child’s experience. Children don’t stop learning when they get home from school: they are learning every waking hour of the day. It’s one of the strong reasons children need to be guided in their use of their phones and social media as well as tv viewing. The best people to instil fundamental attitudes and form children’s self-identity and moral lives are parents. Yes, it’s hard work and requires sacrifice. But it is our duty and the rewards are great.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, we should never give up talking about our convictions. Create an atmosphere of learning in a relationship framed by genuine love, care and fun – when you’re at home or going out, when you put them to bed and when they wake up. There’s no point in sending your child to church if you don’t go yourself; there’s no point in telling your child to pray and read the Bible, if you never do yourself; there’s no point in telling your child not to lie or swear, if you do yourself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The home. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Think about the time you spend on your phone or in front of the big screen. Use the precious conversations at bed-time and around the dinner table. Answer their questions about life – about right and wrong, life and death, about drugs and alcohol, about climate anxiety, about God. Speak as plainly as you can about what Jesus means to you. These are crucial times. Their educational experiences at home will live in the memories of our children for a life-time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s in the home, as we instruct our children about God and Jesus Christ, that they learn their own value and self-esteem as a boy or girl, made in the image of God. It’s in the home they are socialised: they learn how to get on with other people. It’s in the home, they learn to respect authority and discipline. It’s in the home, they develop as individuals and find their individuality accepted, appreciated and affirmed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Parents (as well as grandparents and uncles and aunts) are well placed to blend the demands of society and the needs of the child in a way that fully affirms the dignity of the child and yet also makes that child ready for society, to mix with other people and not just to be a self-centered little island.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The big picture.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            In Ephesians chapter 5, verse 21 through chapter 6, verse 5, Paul sets out the balance of selfless and responsible attitudes that are vital in marriage and family life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So much more could be said about this important and complex section of Paul’s Letter. You may want to follow up with your local church ministry team.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Jesus said, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Matthew 5:16).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Almighty God, our heavenly Father, whose Son Jesus Christ shared at Nazareth the life of an earthly home: bless our homes, we pray. Help parents to impart the knowledge of you and your love; and children to respond with love and obedience. May our homes be blessed with peace and joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-vital-relationships/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-vital-relationships/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Aug 2023 11:16:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-23-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-22-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-22-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-22-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Doctrine the Church Can’t Live Without
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I know it is summer time, but here is a quiz. It’s only one question and it’s fill in the blank. Ready? Christology is by nature bound up with the doctrine of _________ ?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This sentence comes from lectures given by Dietrich Bonhoeffer at the University of Berlin in 1932. After that year, the Nazis would rise to power in Germany. Bonhoeffer would lose his license to teach and eventually become the director of one of five underground seminaries to serve the Confessing Church—a church that rose up against the German Lutheran Church, which had embraced and endorsed the Nazi party.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now back to the quiz. Here’s Bonhoeffer’s answer: “Christology is by nature bound up with the doctrine of justification.” This sentence comes from his lectures on twentieth-century systematic theology. He began the last lecture, which he titled, “Preaching,” with a simple but urgent and ultimate question, “What should we preach?” We must preach Christ, he declares. Preaching Christ means nothing other than preaching the gospel. Preaching the gospel means, and only can mean, preaching the doctrine of justification.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pulling a page from Luther’s playbook, Bonhoeffer speaks of how the cross is God’s “No” to humanity and to any attempt to achieve salvation, to attain righteousness. The cross slams the door on any and all attempts to merit salvation, to merit God’s grace. The cross is also simultaneously God’s “Yes” to us. Through His active and passive obedience, Christ has achieved for us what we could not. Christ died for the penalty of sin, enduring God’s wrath. Christ fully kept the law as the perfectly obedient Son. At the cross, Christ both undid what Adam had done and did what Adam could not do. “This is the reason,” Bonhoeffer says, “for the cross.” We have no hope without it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preaching the gospel means, and only can mean, preaching the doctrine of justification.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his discussion of justification, Bonhoeffer goes on to address the “alien righteousness” of Christ. This is one of the key concepts of the Reformers and of their protest against Rome. We are passive; God acts upon us. Even our act of faith is, in the words of Bonhoeffer, “the expression of the most profound human passivity.” We are justified, declared righteous before God, because of Christ’s righteousness imputed to us. It is outside of us, alien from us. The Latin expression is extra nos.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why is Bonhoeffer stressing justification, imputation, and alien righteousness in his lectures? Because, while it was so central to Luther in the sixteenth century, the Lutheran church of the twentieth century had let the doctrine go by the wayside. The church had sold its birthright. We should not wonder at this. The doctrine of alien righteousness is offensive to human nature. It tells us we are unable to do something, that we lack capacity and ability. It tells us more. It tells us we are sinful and deserving of nothing but God's wrath (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%202%3A1-3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 2:1-3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). That was not a popular message in twentieth century Germany.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s not a popular message today, either. Even those who profess to be evangelicals have expressed an unease with historic formulations of the doctrine of justification. Some have outright rejected it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the end of Bonhoeffer’s lectures he left his students with one last statement: “Who will show us Luther!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           We can put the same question to the twenty-first century evangelical church. Luther saw justification as the centerpiece to the whole Reformation enterprise. It is the doctrine the church can’t live without.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/doctrine-church-cant-live-without" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/doctrine-church-cant-live-without
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 22 Aug 2023 13:28:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-22-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Prayer Call</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/prayer-call</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer Call:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mondays @ 7:00 PM (EST)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To join the prayer time on Monday evenings:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Call:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           267-807-9611
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Enter code:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           806009#
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you live outside of the U.S., use the website/video feature in the following link to connect to the call. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.freeconferencecall.com/wall/sfoi.org" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.freeconferencecall.com/wall/sfoi.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you have never called in, you will be greeted by the leader of the prayer call and given instructions for the call. The call should last around 30 minutes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please call in at
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             6:55 PM so the call can begin on time.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please send any questions you have.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you for praying.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grace, mercy, &amp;amp; peace,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           423-724-7500
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Aug 2023 16:32:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/prayer-call</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-21-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-21-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-21-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s Comfort for Those Who Comfort Others
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Proverbs%2011:25/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Proverbs 11:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are taught here the great lesson that to get, we must give; to accumulate, we must scatter; to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others. In watering others, we are ourselves watered. How? Our efforts to be useful bring out our powers for usefulness. We have latent talents and unused gifts that become apparent by exercise. Our strength for work is even hidden from ourselves until we take our stand and fight the Lord’s battles or climb the mountains of difficulty. We do not know what tender sympathies we possess until we try to dry the widow’s tears and soothe the orphan’s grief.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We often find in attempting to teach others that we gain instruction for ourselves. What gracious lessons some of us have learned in visiting the sick! We went to teach the Scriptures, and we came away blushing that our knowledge of them was so poor. In our conversation with humble saints, we are taught the way of God more perfectly for ourselves and get a deeper insight into divine truth. So watering others makes us humble. We discover how much grace there is where we had not looked for it, and how much the humble saint may outstrip us in knowledge.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our own comfort is also increased by working for others. We endeavor to cheer them, and the consolation gladdens our own heart. Consider the two men in the snow—one massaged the other’s limbs to keep him from dying, and in doing so kept his own blood circulating and saved his own life. Remember the poor widow who supplied the prophet’s needs from her own meager resources, and from that day she never experienced need again. Give, and it will be given to you—good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/21/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/21/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:15:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-21-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-18-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-18-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-18-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Foreigners in the Lord's House
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Foreigners have come into the holy places of the Lord’s house.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Jeremiah%2051:51/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeremiah 51:51
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In this account the faces of the Lord’s people were covered with shame, for it was a terrible thing for men to intrude upon the Holy Place that was reserved exclusively for the priests. Everywhere around us we see similar cause for sorrow. How many ungodly men are now studying with a view to entering the ministry! What a crying sin is that solemn lie by which our whole population is nominally part of a National Church! How fearful it is that ordinances should be pressed upon the unconverted, and that among the more enlightened churches of our land there should be such laxity of discipline. If the thousands who will read this portion will take this matter before the Lord Jesus today, He will interfere and avert the evil that otherwise will come upon His Church. To adulterate the church is to pollute a well, to pour water upon fire, to sow a fertile field with stones. May we all have grace to maintain in our own proper way the purity of the Church as being an assembly of believers and not a nation, an unsaved community of unconverted men.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our zeal must, however, begin at home. Let us examine ourselves as to our right to eat at the Lord’s Table. Let us see to it that we are wearing our wedding garment, lest we ourselves should be regarded as foreigners in the Lord’s holy place. Many are called, but few are chosen; the way is narrow, and the gate is strait. O for grace to come to Jesus aright, with the faith of God’s elect. He who smote Uzzah for touching the ark is very jealous of His two ordinances. As a true believer I may approach them freely; as a foreigner I must not touch them in case I die. Heart-searching is the duty of all who are baptized or come to the Lord’s Table. “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.139.23-24.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 139:23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/18/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/18/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Aug 2023 11:27:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-18-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-17-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-17-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-17-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus Weeps, in Anger?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus gazes upon Jerusalem, that ancient city of kings and prophets, and he weeps. Yes, he weeps, like a tempestuous river crashing against unyielding cliffs. It’s a sight both perplexing and harrowing. Jesus, the embodiment of grace and mercy, shedding tears of lamentation. That doesn’t make sense, does it? Unfortunately, it does, but not in the way we imagine. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The long-awaited Son of Man has finally come, riding high on the crest of a tumultuous entry into the city, hailed as a king by the masses, yet fully aware of the impending tempest of chaos about to be unleashed. His eyes, those windows to the soul of God himself, survey the very heart of Jerusalem, that sprawling theater of human folly and grandeur. The city, a patchwork of piety and pretense, of prayers and power games, sprawls beneath his gaze. He sees it all, from the righteous to the wretched, from the pompous priest to the beggar on bruised knees. And what does he do? He weeps. But, these are not the gentle tears of a weak man. No, these are the tears of divine wrath, the anguished cries of a lover scorned. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And this is not a melodramatic display. This is a revelation of cosmic magnitude, a glimpse into the divine heart that pulses with furious rage and fierce love. When Jesus weeps, we see the collision of God's boundless compassion and his unyielding demand for justice. A collision so cataclysmic that even the grandeur of Solomon's temple, that symbol of human religious ambition, quivers in its presence. Jesus, the harbinger of divine anarchy in the kingdom of sinful complacency, foretells the shattering of earthly gods. The very walls of the temple, adorned with gold and grandiosity, will crumble, not a stone left upon a stone, divine anarchy unleashed upon stiff-necked order. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "When Jesus weeps, we see the collision of God's boundless compassion and his unyielding demand for justice."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And as the chaos unfolds, the merchants and money-changers, those opportunistic vultures who feed on the desperation of the devout, become unwitting instruments of divine fury. Picture it. The tables overturned, coins scattered like lost dreams, the cacophony of commerce meeting the crescendo of divine rage. This is not the serene Jesus we often conjure in our minds, the gentle shepherd with a lamb cradled in his arms. No, this is the God who flung stars into the sky, who carved canyons with reckless abandon, now venting his tempestuous wrath upon the profane pawns of avarice. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But do not mistake this for a petty vendetta, a divine tantrum. No, this is the cosmic battle between God Almighty and the forces that seek to chain his grace in the shackles of human enterprise. The temple, once a sanctuary for sacred encounter, now reeks of greed and exploitation. The very dwelling place of the divine becomes a den of thieves. And so, the anarchic Messiah, the disruptor of pious lies and petty greed, casts off the chains, scatters the thieves, and reclaims the temple for its true purpose: a space where heaven and earth embrace in holy communion. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the aftermath of this anarchic upheaval, the chief priests and scribes, those self-proclaimed gatekeepers of divine understanding, gnash their teeth in righteous indignation. Their meticulously constructed order, their religious rigidity, shattered like glass under the hammer of divine anarchy. But here is the crux of God’s revelation - in their furious opposition to the divine chaos Jesus brings, they unwittingly fulfill the very prophecies they claim to uphold. God plays his hand, and the pieces fall exactly where he intended. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            So, what does this tumultuous tale from antiquity reveal to us, you may ask? It is a stark reminder, a thunderous wake-up call, that the God we dare to try to comprehend is beyond our feeble attempts at containment. Our religious traditions, our time-tested worship practices, our neatly packaged theological explanations of the who, what, and how of God, all crumble in the face of his divine anarchy. The tears of Jesus, a baptism of wrath and grace, cleanse the temple of our assumptions, leaving us naked before the divine mystery. This God, who weeps and rages, who disrupts and rebuilds, defies all our attempts at taming him. He is the Ancient of Days, the Lord of Armies, Almighty Maker of the heavens and the earth. Our God is a lion, not a house cat! 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And this is where God meets us; not in the safety of our schedules, surrounded by the things that provide a false sense of security, but on the raggedy edge of chaos and order, where he compels us to live by grace, through faith, in him alone. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So we can give up on maintaining our pious pretenses and release our grip on the false gods of control and certainty, and with trembling hands, receive all the gifts this wild, untamed God pours into them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is in that trembling, in that surrender to the anarchic currents of God’s grace and mercy, that he gives us our true identity. We are not masters of theological formulas, not religious do-gooders, not people who have things (mostly) under control. Instead, we are as his children; children of the Heavenly Father.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He isn’t going to offer us a glass of wine and a warm blanket. He’s not going to sit with us and hold our hand while we cry about how unfair life is. He’s not going to brush away our sin and unbelief with a chuckle and a wink. Instead, he’s going to crush us with his furious anger because of our sin and unbelief. Then, he’s going to give us a new life built entirely on his grace and mercy in Jesus Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why does Jesus weep for Jerusalem? For the same reason he weeps for us. Not because he is weak, but because we are. Not because he’s moved by our love for him, but because we’ve scorned his love in every way imaginable. Jesus weeps because his heart pulses with furious rage and fierce love. And his boundless compassion and unyielding demand for justice cannot be satisfied until the scales are balanced. And since this is impossible for us, he allows religious men to offer his body as a sacrifice for our sin, and godless men to spill his blood, shed for us for the forgiveness of sin. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is God’s grace and mercy. This is real justice. This is our salvation. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/jesus-weeps-in-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/jesus-weeps-in-anger
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 17 Aug 2023 12:53:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-17-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Church-planting family Needs Help</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/a-church-planting-family-needs-help</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Church-planting family Needs Your Help
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Peter Sherwood
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          and his family are currently involved in starting a church plant in the Midlands(Worcestershire) area of the UK. The plant is connected to One:16 Fortworth Texas (led by Jeff Rose and Shaun Blakenship) and is part of a wider One:16 network of Reformed Baptist Churches based across various locations within the US and also Taiwan.
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Although currently just a small body of believers in the UK, they seek to be a Biblically minded church, prayerfully meeting togethe
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          r for Christ-centred worship and hearing from God's Word. Peter seeks to remain faithful to the Lord's Great Commission, growing in the knowledge of God and seeking to make Him known, keeping a strong evangelistic emphasis (venturing out often into the highways and hedges with the Gospel to reach out to the lost), close to their church's location. Serving together and in the work of making disciples for the glory of Christ alone and the good of His people.
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord has put it on Jeff Rose’s heart from Jeremiah Cry Ministries, to initiate a crowd fundraising event in order to support Peter and his family in setting up a home. Currently, an additional $4,000-$5,000 is needed to finish off the heating system for the house.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Would you please consider supporting this family financially as they venture out in planting this church and labor in advancing the Kingdom of God?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You can click on the link below for more information and to contribute financially.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you for your time and consideration in supporting Peter and his family.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Peter+Church+Plant.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Peter+-+open+air.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Wed, 16 Aug 2023 21:58:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/a-church-planting-family-needs-help</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Screenshot+2023-08-16+at+4.09.12+PM-15d96e15.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Apartment Remodel</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/apartment-remodel</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Apartment Remodel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Apartment Remodel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our church has a 4-bedroom apartment. We hope to remodel it to house missionaries, or open-air preachers. We need to paint throughout, new flooring, new ceiling fans, new windows, and several doors in addition to furniture and a bathroom remodel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We need to raise at least $5,000 for the project. Once completed we can house 10-15 people depending on how we use the space.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Would you pray about sowing into this project?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If so, goto our "Sponsor an evangelist" webpage put in a custom amount and specify this project, i.e.  "Apartment Remodel" in the comment section.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rick Garland
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Remodel.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Work in Progress!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Remodel-2.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Remodel-2.jpg" length="508615" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 16 Aug 2023 20:44:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/apartment-remodel</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#concierge,#travel</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Remodel-2.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-16-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-16-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-16-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Summer Growth - Light in the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In ‘What Are People For’, an essay in his 2002 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Art of the Commonplace,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Wendell Berry writes, “Marriage, in what is evidently its most popular version, is now on the one hand an intimate ‘relationship’ involving (ideally) two successful careerists in the same bed, and on the other hand a sort of private political system in which rights and interests must be asserted and defended”.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In today’s climate of cultural change what is the future for marriage? Today’s views contrast sharply with the joys of marriage found in the Bible – a relationship that is framed by a husband’s and wife’s experience of God’s love and forgiveness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his Letter to the Ephesians chapter 5, verses 21 through 33 Paul the Apostle takes up the theme of marriage which he frames in a most unexpected way – Christ’s 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           love for
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . The complex and costly relationship between Christ and his people provides the ultimate picture of marriage – something that is 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           a great mystery
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (5:32)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider Paul’s surprising words to husbands 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           – lengthier than his words to wives. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Husbands, love your wives,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            he writes, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This radical injunction would have shocked the ancient world. And, to stress the point, Paul says three times that husbands are to love their wives 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           as Christ loved his people
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (verses 25, 28 and 33).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Significantly, the New Testament never uses 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           eros
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , especially about marriage. Rather than 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           eros
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , which is about self-gratification, the New Testament uses 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           agape
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , a word without rapturous, mystical experiences. It’s the word used to express God’s love for us – as in John 3:16. Rather than wanting to take, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           agape
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           speaks of a selfless, self-giving love, committed to making sacrifices in the best interests of others – and, in God’s case, bearing the pain of the sins of the unlovely.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, when Paul says husbands are to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           their wives as Christ loved the church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           he isn’t speaking of some passing infatuation, let alone a domineering, controlling attitude. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He’s talking about a faithful, trustworthy and lifelong love that is committed to serving his wife’s best interests – not her selfish whims.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider what Paul further says, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, because we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church. Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (5:28-33).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let’s think about it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            When we become a Christian, we become part of Christ’s body. When a man and a woman marry, they become united: one new flesh. For his part, Christ loves his body, feeds it, cares for it, promoting its maturity. In the same way a husband is to love his wife, nourishing her, and promoting her maturity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Paul says, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           this is a profound mystery
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , because the parallel is itself profound. It means that the very best model we have for the relationship between Christ and his people, is marriage. Or to put it another way, the very best things we enjoy about marriage – intimacy, trust, confidence, understanding – give us just a tiny glimpse of the intimacy, understanding and love that Christ has for his people, stretching into eternity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What might this look like in practice? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When disagreements occur, a husband needs to take the initiative in resolving them. It also means husbands taking responsibility in the spiritual realm – encouraging Bible reading and prayer in the home and attendance at church. The spiritual health of a family is important. Like Christ, a husband wants his wife to be spiritually radiant (5:27).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Which brings us back to verses 21 and 22 and
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            God’s words to wives 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           through Paul. How important it is that we read these words in context, for the word to wives flows in a tight construction out of the words to all God’s people: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ, wives to your husbands as you are to the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now today, the very mention of submission arouses anger and hostility. And we need to be honest here. In too many cultures women have been, and are exploited and treated as chattels by their husbands. We need to remember that a radical feature about Jesus of Nazareth was the fact that he treated women with courtesy and respect in an era when women were treated as second-class citizens. And, it was Paul the Apostle who wrote that there is no inequality between men and women: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Galatians 3:28).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, to return to the words, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           wives to your husbands
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , let me say what they don’t mean. With the qualifier, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           as you are to the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            can’t mean submitting to anything that God forbids, such as abuse, or moral, physical or emotional control.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We can now begin to see how Paul’s words to wives and to husbands go together.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            He is setting out a relationship where the wife delights in honoring and respecting her husband, and where a husband makes loving his wife his life’s work so that she can become the person God intended her to be.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Anne Atkins in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Split Image
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (1987) observed: “The husband gives up everything, not only to please his wife but to make her beautiful, holy, happy, fulfilled, and reaching her maximum potential. They are like an actress and her agent; if she has a good agent she will put herself completely in his hands; if he is a good agent he will spend his time developing her talents and furthering her work. He exists to serve her”.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Last Wednesday we touched on the previous section in Ephesians chapter 5 where we read that God’s people 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           are 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           light in the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           not because they now follow a new set of rules, but because of their new relationship with Jesus Christ. No marriage is perfect. In the same way that God has forgiven us we need to be able to forgive one another. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are to shine 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the light in the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            that we are.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Our lifestyle is a vital part of our witness in a world of darkness. How important it is that, if we are married, we display the light of God in our relationship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord God, you have consecrated marriage to be a sign of the spiritual unity between Christ and his Church; bless all your people who are married that they may love, honor, and cherish each other in faithfulness, patience, wisdom, and true godliness; may their home be a place of love and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Almighty God, we thank you for the gift of your holy word. May it be a lantern to our feet, a light to our paths, and strength to our lives. Take us and use us to love and serve all people in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-light-in-the-lord/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-light-in-the-lord/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 16 Aug 2023 16:08:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-16-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-15-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-15-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-15-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By Nature, We Are in Spiritual Bondage
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%208%3A31b-32/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 8:31b-32
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus taught that we are all by nature in spiritual bondage. He had to be cruel to be kind.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Jews to whom Jesus spoke—much like us—believed that they were certainly not in bondage to anything. But their response to Jesus’ words revealed the deep spiritual bondage in which they were held. His words riled and angered them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Who do you think you are, saying that we need to be set free? How dare you! We are Abraham’s children, his freeborn descendants.” They claimed spiritual freedom as their birthright, but they were in spiritual bondage.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Most assuredly, I say to you,” Jesus said, “whoever commits sins is a slave of sin” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%208%3A34/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 8:34
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Does this really need to be underlined? Jesus thought it did, and perhaps someone reading this may need a little help to understand what Jesus was saying here:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We do not become sinners by committing specific acts.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We commit specific acts of sin because we are sinners.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In short, my problem is not the isolated actions that I see as aberrations from what I really am. I am deceiving myself if I think that way. These actions are not aberrations but revelations of what is in my heart. They show that I commit sin because I am in bondage to it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul develops this theme in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ephesians%202/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians 2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Both the Apostle and his readers (v. 3) were by nature bound in sin: “dead in trespasses and sins” (v. 1). When they heard the name of God and of His grace in Jesus Christ, their hearts remained cold. Like dead men and women, they were always flowing with the stream, following “the course of this world” (v. 2).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By nature, we usually deny that we are in spiritual bondage.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By nature, we usually deny that we are in spiritual bondage. We go out of our way to show our freedom by being different. But we tend, in one way or another, to become clones. That is a manifestation of our bondage. According to Ray Davies' satirical lyrics in The Kinks’ hit song,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This pleasure-seeking individual always looks his best
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           ’Cause he's a dedicated follower of fashion._
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Jesus hinted, this sinfulness affects every dimension of our lives:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Our minds. We do not think clearly. We may be well educated and have high IQs. But that is no guarantee that we think clearly about spiritual things.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Our desires. When we are on our own and at our most honest, we recognize that we are not masters of our desires. We try to master them. We have a moral consciousness that says, “You must get these things under control.” But inwardly we are out of control. There is a world within us over which we have no mastery.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Our wills. They are in bondage to sin. “Oh yes,” we say, “this message about being right with God—I will come to it another day. That is my decision and I can make it whenever I want.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The truth, however, is that we cannot think clearly about or desire Christ by our own unaided decision. Why not? We cannot respond to the good news of the gospel until we want Christ, and we cannot want Christ simply by a decision we can take at any moment we choose. We cannot say to our will, “Will, will to belong to the Lord!” It is beyond our powers to do that. No one can will the will to will what it will not will! Only God’s grace can set us free to come to trust in Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What made it happen so?
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           His own will, this much I know,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Set me, as now I show,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           At liberty.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here, then, is our greatest need. We are in bondage to sinful hearts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/nature-we-are-spiritual-bondage" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/nature-we-are-spiritual-bondage
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Aug 2023 11:38:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-15-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-14-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-14-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-14-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is Your Attitude Accurate?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You, O Lord, have made me glad by your work.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2092:4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 92:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you believe that your sins are forgiven and that Christ has made a full atonement for them? Then what a joyful Christian you ought to be! How you should live above the common trials and troubles of the world! Since sin is forgiven, can it matter what happens to you now? Luther said, “Smite, Lord, smite, for my sin is forgiven; if You have forgiven me, smite as hard as You will.” And in a similar spirit you may say, “Send sickness, poverty, losses, crosses, persecution, what You will. You have forgiven me, and my soul is glad.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christian, if you are thus saved, while you are glad, be grateful and loving. Cling to that cross that took your sin away; serve Him who served you. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ROM.12.1.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom 12:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) Do not let your zeal evaporate in some little exuberant song. Show your love in meaningful ways. Love the brethren of Him who loved you. If there is a Mephibosheth anywhere who is disabled, help him for Jonathan’s sake. If there is a poor tried believer, weep with him, and bear his cross for the sake of Him who wept for you and carried your sins.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Since you are forgiven freely for Christ’s sake, go and tell others the joyful news of pardoning mercy. Do not be contented with this unspeakable blessing for yourself alone, but publish widely the story of the cross. Holy gladness and holy boldness will make you a good preacher, and all the world will be a pulpit for you to preach in. Cheerful holiness is the most forcible of sermons, but the Lord must give it to you. Seek it this morning before you go into the world. When it is the Lord’s work in which we rejoice, we need not be afraid of being too glad.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/14/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/14/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Aug 2023 14:44:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-14-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Fundraising: Asking for $100</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/fundraising-asking-for-100</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Asking for $100 for your mission trip
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What do you say or write when you are asking someone to donate $100 to your mission trip? 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            "Dear Friend, would you partner with me on my mission to reach sports fans and local citizens in London, England with the Gospel by donating $100 which covers expenses for one day of the mission?"
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That's it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The first step in fundraising for your trip is to prepare a succinct invitation.  This invitation is a summary statement of your trip from which you able to further explain details of the trip. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are key elements of the invitation:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Partner
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            .  You are not asking for money.  You are asking them to genuinely partner with you on your trip, meaning they receive eternal rewards as you do, and they will be treated as a partner by you.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Mission
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            : mission signifies your trip is has a definitive timeline, location and audience.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Sports fans &amp;amp; local citizens
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            :  your audience. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            London, England
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            : mission location.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Donate
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            : partners participate in your mission by donating financially.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            $100
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             : partners commit to this amount or more.
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Expenses
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            : partners pay for daily expenses versus some other item.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Think on this for a day.  A follow up message will be sent tomorrow Lord willing.  Email any questions you have to: bill@sfoi.org or call / text: 423-724-7500.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/fundraising+training+infographic.png" length="308760" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Aug 2023 10:51:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/fundraising-asking-for-100</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/fundraising+training+infographic.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/fundraising+training+infographic.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-11-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-11-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-11-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Don't Idolize the Past
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Oh, that I were as in the months of old.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Job%2029:2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Job 29:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many Christians are able to view the past with pleasure but regard the present with dissatisfaction. They look back upon the days that they have spent in communing with the Lord as being the sweetest and the best they have ever known; but as to the present, it is as if they were smothered by a heavy blanket of gloom and dreariness. Once they lived near Jesus, but now they feel that they have wandered from Him, and they say, “Oh, that I were as in the months of old.” They complain that they have lost their evidences, or that they no longer have peace of mind, or that they have no enjoyment in the means of grace, or that their conscience is hardened, or that they are no longer as zealous for God’s glory as they once were.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The causes of this mournful state of things are many. It may arise through a comparative neglect of prayer, for a neglected closet is the beginning of all spiritual decline. Or it may be the result of idolatry. The heart has been occupied with something else, more than with God; the affections have been set on the things of earth instead of the things of heaven. A jealous God will not be content with a divided heart; He must be loved first and best. He will withdraw the sunshine of His presence from a cold, wandering heart. Or the cause may be found in self-confidence and self-righteousness. Pride is busy in the heart, and self is exalted instead of lying low at the foot of the cross.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christian, if you are not now as you “were . . . in the months of old,” do not be content to simply wish for a return of your former happiness, but go at once to seek your Master and tell Him your sad state. Ask His grace and strength to enable you to walk more closely with Him; humble yourself before Him, and He will lift you up and allow you once more to enjoy the light of His countenance. Do not sit down to sigh and lament; while the beloved Physician lives there is hope; there is a certainty of recovery even for the worst cases.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/11/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/11/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 11 Aug 2023 11:52:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-11-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-10-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-10-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-10-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Gospel of Grief
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While midnight might seem long, the mercy of God assures us that the morning will come.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Old Testament book of Lamentations might be one of the least visited books in the entire Bible. You are undoubtedly familiar with that refrain, “Great is your faithfulness,” found in the third chapter of the book since it has served as the inspirational source for all manner of religious media for centuries. In fact, we repeat that mantra often, almost without realizing the horrendous setting in which that refrain was originally uttered. “Great is your faithfulness” is a stanza that emerged out of one of the worst catastrophes to ever befall the people of God — namely, the collapse of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is a devastating piece of history, as the people of Yahweh are, by all accounts, abandoned by Yahweh himself. That’s what it felt like, at least. It’d be hard to believe otherwise, what with Babylonian invaders running rampant throughout the city. Jerusalem, that once-sprawling citadel that served as an emblem of God’s blessing, was reduced to ruin and rubble. This event, recorded in Scripture no less than five times (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Kings%2025/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Chron.%2036/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Chron. 36
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Isa.%2029/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Jer.%2039%2C%2052/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 39, 52
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), is like the Bible’s version of a flashing neon sign: “You should pay attention to this!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With Judah now decimated, as Israel was before them, some of the residents are hauled off to Babylon as prisoners of war. Others make the fateful decision to flee to Egypt in a tragic reversal of the Exodus centuries prior. The prophet Jeremiah was among those who escaped back to the land of their forefathers’ captivity, though not by choice. In fact, Jeremiah issues a stern warning to all those who were considering solace in Egypt as a viable option (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Jer.%2042%3A15%E2%80%9317/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 42:15–17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But, like many of his words, his warning fell on deaf ears. He is detained and taken to Egypt, where tradition says he lived out the rest of his days until he was stoned to death.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some believe that it was during those years of exile in the land of the Pharaohs that the Lord’s prophet penned the gut wrenching words of Lamentations. (Others, of course, take a different approach and see this book as being written by someone else entirely. But I won’t bore you with all that.) What is conveyed throughout the grim poetry of Lamentations is a despairing and discouraging portrait of God’s people. This book is brimming with grief. And yet, at the same time, there is good news to be found in the middle of it all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Jeremiah writes these heartbreaking songs of lament, what is revealed is what we might call the gospel of grief. This is especially true of chapter 3, in which the prophet lives up to his nickname, “the weeping prophet.” He is the “man who has seen affliction” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lam.%203%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lam. 3:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) who gives voice to that affliction in painstaking detail. And through this sorrowful song, the prophet-turned-poet helps us to grasp the gospel of grief alongside him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Midnight
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Part of the good news is accepting the bad news — and there’s perhaps no worse news than what Jeremiah describes in the opening verses of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lamentations%203/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lamentations 3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            as he puts the collective pain of Israel in the first person. Our disconsolate prophet personalizes the national despair of Judah, painting a horrific picture of what suffering looks like and feels like (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lam.%203%3A2%E2%80%9316/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lam. 3:2–16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He is broken and besieged and beleaguered by oppression and tribulation. He feels “enveloped,” “walled in,” and “blocked” on every side. Everywhere he looks, there is more and more evidence of desolation and reason for despair, especially since there seems to be an embargo on his prayers (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lam.%203%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lam. 3:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). His dwelling place is the “darkness,” with no light to be found at the end of the tunnel (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lam.%203%3A2%2C%206/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lam. 3:2, 6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In every which way, this is the miserable midnight of Jeremiah’s (and Judah’s) suffering and sorrow. Indeed, so pointed is his grief that he confesses that he doesn’t remember how to be happy. “My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is; so I say, ‘My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the Lord’” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lam.%203%3A17%E2%80%9318/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lam. 3:17–18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). These are some of the most devastating verses in all of Scripture, as the prophet of Yahweh admits that both his endurance and his hope have all but completely evaporated. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is what hopelessness sounds like.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is what suffering feels like.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Jeremiah’s confessions take on a more jagged edge when you realize who it is that he sees as his oppressor — namely, God himself. In verses 2 through 16, Jeremiah identifies God as the assailant, the persecutor, and the source of all grief, some nineteen times. “He has made my flesh and my skin waste away; he has broken my bones; hehas besieged and enveloped me,” etc. What makes the prophet’s grief all the more grievous, his pain all the more painful, is that Yahweh’s hand seems to be behind it all. The very one whom Jeremiah was called to proclaim had turned against him (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lam.%203%3A2%E2%80%933/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lam. 3:2–3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Or so it seemed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God had become the oppressor. No longer was the Lord the Great Shepherd of his sheep; now he had become the predator who was waiting to tear his prey into pieces (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lam.%203%3A10%E2%80%9311/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lam. 3:10–11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It felt as though there was a target on his back, with God the archer letting one of his arrows fly, landing a kill shot (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lam.%203%3A12%E2%80%9313/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lam. 3:12–13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). No wonder Jeremiah’s hope had all but vanished. No wonder his thoughts are filled with “wormwood and gall” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lam.%203%3A19%E2%80%9320/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lam. 3:19–20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). All his past memories are tainted by the bitterness of the present.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While we might be taken aback by most of these eye-brow-raising confessions, they are preserved in Scripture for a reason. In particular, they show us that God can handle our midnight cries. When we are at our lowest and life seems to have gone dark, gone off the rails: God wants to hear from us. Midnight isn’t a time to go mute; it’s a time to give voice to all of our grief and pain and suffering and sorrow. The Bible never encourages sufferers to bottle up their suffering. In fact, the prevailing testimony of the Bible is that ours is a God who is powerful enough and patient enough to weather our midnight cries of misery and despair, no matter how twisted they might sound. Even if they put God himself in the crosshairs of our grief. The gospel of grief begins at midnight because that is where God hears us. That’s where he finds us. That’s where his mercy meets us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Mercy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As stunning as Jeremiah’s despair appears to be, what he says in verse 21 might be even more stunning: “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.” The man who was wallowing in unimaginable grief is now calling “something” to mind, which causes his hope to return, however faintly. This is a deliberate action on the part of the prophet as he chooses to remember “something.” Even as affliction and anguish flood his memory, something deeper and truer comes to mind — and what is that “something”? It is the never-ceasing, never-stopping mercy of God. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lam.%203%3A22%E2%80%9323/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lam. 3:22–23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is what he is choosing to “call to mind.” The prophet is found clinging “to the gracious character of Yahweh,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Old-Testament-Prophets-Bible/dp/0830817840" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           writes Mark J. Boda
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “and it is this that gives him hope” (486). The thing with suffering is that it can very quickly lead you to believe something that is false about God. Was it really the Lord who was behind all of those horrendous atrocities? Was he the author of his people’s grief and suffering and despair? Well, yes and no. There is, certainly, an element of judgment in what befell Jeremiah and Judah. And deservedly so. They had turned their backs on Yahweh for decades, even after prophet after prophet warned them, including Jeremiah himself. But to understand our suffering and sorrow, I think we must also understand that God is not the author of suffering. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God is not up in heaven rubbing his hands together as he thinks of new ways to terrorize and agonize his people. Indeed, God never delights in seeing his children suffer. Jeremiah says just that in verse 33, a verse that just so happens to be the exact middle of Lamentations: “For he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men.” And so it is, then, that we find the most crucial truth of all at the heart of Jeremiah’s lament — namely, that God’s heart is not filled with judgment. He never delights in dishing that out. Although it feels that way, doesn’t it? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeremiah’s and Judah’s experience of grief came about because of their own rebellion (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lam.%203%3A39%E2%80%9342/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lam. 3:39–42
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). As a result, the Lord God withdrew his hand of blessing and protection from them. But the point is, even when we endure God’s apparent withdrawal, that’s not his eternal posture. That’s not his heart. That’s not what is most true about him. What is? “For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he causes grief he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lam.%203%3A31%E2%80%9332/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lam. 3:31–32
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ). What fills the heart of God is an abundance of “steadfast love” and compassion.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the middle of suffering and sorrow, there is hope to be found in the remembrance of God’s merciful heart.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is a de
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           pth of mercy in the heart of God and all it takes is the slightest murmur of repentance and a flood of mercy gushes fort
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           h. “Divine mercy,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gentle-Lowly-Christ-Sinners-Sufferers/dp/1433566133" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           writes Dane Ortlund
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “is ready to burst forth at the slightest prick” (148). This is just who Yahweh is, who he’s always been, and who he always will be. He is a God who is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Exod.%2034%3A6%E2%80%937/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Exod. 34:6–7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; cf. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Num.%2014%3A18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Num. 14:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Neh.%209%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Neh. 9:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2086%3A15%3B%20103%3A8%3B%20145%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 86:15; 103:8; 145:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Joel%202%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joel 2:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Nah.%201%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nah. 1:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This is God’s heart. This is what’s most true about him. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the middle of suffering and sorrow, there is hope to be found in the remembrance of God’s merciful heart. How else can we account for the prophet’s sudden turn from such a horrific view of the Lord to one that says that “the Lord is good”? (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lam.%203%3A24%E2%80%9333/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lam. 3:24–33
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He had been reminded that God’s heart is overflowing with steadfast love and God’s heart never changes. You and I are made to endure the darkest of days only by realizing that the mercy of God meets right there: at midnight. In the darkness. The gospel of grief tells us that’s where God shows up to lavish us with his mercy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Morning
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is a particular beauty to that phrase in verse 23 in which God’s mercy is said to be “new every morning.” This, of course, speaks to his constancy. As surely as you can count on the sun to rise, those who are suffering can count on the mercy of God to meet them “in the morning.” This wasn’t only Jeremiah’s testimony. A litany of biblical authors give credence to the same hope (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2046%3A5%3B%2059%3A16%3B%2090%3A14%3B%2092%3A1%E2%80%932%3B%20143%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 46:5; 59:16; 90:14; 92:1–2; 143:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). “His anger is but for a moment,” says the psalmist, “and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2030%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 30:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It’s always darkest before dawn. Before morning there is midnight. That’s not meant to be just some pithy line of poetry. This is the hope that’s found in the middle of our wreckage and ruin. “The beauty of brokenness,” Steve Smith comments, “grows in the dark” (286).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In verses 46 through 54, Jeremiah returns to confessing words of despair and hopelessness, this time using a real episode from his own life by way of illustration. He recalls a time when he was “flung alive into the pit,” an event that actually happened (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Jer.%2038%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 38:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The Lord’s prophet was, at one time, thrown into a pit by his own people, by those to whom he was called to preach. This is Jeremiah’s literal “pit of despair” and it was there that he cried out to the Lord. And God heard him and came close to him, and gave him the simple promise, “Don’t be afraid” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lam.%203%3A57/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lam. 3:57
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). These words revive Jeremiah, filling him with the assurance that the Lord will, once again, take up his cause and redeem his life (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lam.%203%3A58/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lam. 3:58
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s worth noting that those are the only recorded words of God in this entire song. Those simple albeit significant syllables are the most affecting words for sinners and sufferers, no matter what form their suffering might take. “Don’t be afraid,” he says, “I hear you. Trust in me, for the morning will come.” And why can we trust him? Because he has come near to take up our cause and redeem our lives. This is precisely what he has done in the person of Jesus Christ, who himself declares, “Truly, truly, I say to you you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2016%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 16:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While midnight might seem long, the mercy of God assures us that the morning will come. Jesus’s passion and resurrection are our guarantee of that. And though the mercy that’s found at midnight doesn’t necessarily make the misery go away, it does, however, assure us that there is Someone who is with us right in the middle of it. God’s Word of promise assures us that at midnight we are greeted by none other than the embodiment of his lovingkindness. All the pain and grief and despair you endured is real, painfully so. But so is the one who is with you in it and through it. So is the Lord. “He is goodness, mercy, faithfulness, and compassion on two feet,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://concordia-seminary.ca/2021/11/02/new-volume-of-lutheran-theological-review-released-8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           writes the late Lutheran pastor Jobst Schöne
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (136). The gospel of grief assures us that there is one who feels our grief with us because he has endured our grief for us. And in that, we can hope.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/the-gospel-of-grief" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/the-gospel-of-grief
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 10 Aug 2023 10:34:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-10-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-9-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-9-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-9-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Summer Growth: Carpe Diem...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How are we to reach a world where voices in the media and social media criticizing Christianity have morphed from constructive conversation into emotive smearing?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul’s words in Ephesians chapter 5, verses 1and 2 are key to the life God calls us to: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be imitators of God… and live a life of love just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is the model and framework for our lives. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul illustrates this by pointing us to the way 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            When he was nailed to the cross, the most unjust act in history, we don’t find him cursing. Rather, we hear him pray, ‘Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they’re doing’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In illustrating what love is in practice Paul, like any good teacher, tells us what love is not: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (5:3).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           People often confuse sex and love. Here Paul says that sexual immorality outside the marriage commitment is 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           greedy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           improper for God’s holy people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            He observes that 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking … are out of place.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            We need to reveal who we are by daring to be holy, modelling the beauty of God’s character in this self-centered, vain-glorious world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Paul continues. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Live as children of light … Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, …
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (5:8).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Light. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s people 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           are light in the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            not because they now follow a new set of rules, but because of their new relationship with Jesus Christ. We are to shine out the light we are.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our lifestyle is a vital part of our witness. If we aren’t progressing in God’s Word, we can hardly expect that anyone will want to find out what we believe. People who say there are no absolutes won’t be persuaded by logic, but they possibly will be if they see our lives being truly changed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be careful how you live, not as unwise but as wise
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Paul exhorts. FF Bruce notes that Paul’s readers are ‘a small minority, and because of their distinctive ways, their lives will be scrutinized by others: the reputation of the gospel is bound up with their public behavior. Hence the need for care and wisdom, lest the Christian cause should be inadvertently jeopardized by thoughtless speech or action on the part of Christians’ 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (The Epistles to the Colossians, Philemon and Ephesians,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            p.378
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And Paul continues, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           …making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Don’t be foolish. Understand what the Lord’s will is.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We all know how time flies. Paul knew this too: ‘Learn to use it well,’ he is saying. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Seize the day – carpe diem!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We need to understand that although God has opened a door for men and women to enter the new era of his kingdom of light, the present age continues to be shrouded in darkness. There is so much evidence of this around us – the Russian aggressive war with Ukraine, the drugs and sex trafficking by racketeers, and injustices perpetrated even within courts of law, as a recent inquiry report in Australia has revealed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Understand what the Lord’s will is
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Paul writes. Our awareness of the suffering world surely stirs us to dig deep into the Bible so we can better understand God and his purposes. The Scriptures reveal that God hasn’t simply wound up the spring of his creation but is working all things towards the day when he will bring all injustice and suffering to account. For us to seize the day involves not only our living a new life as God’s people but also our ever-growing delight in knowing the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now, if you are thinking that all this is heavy and burdensome and rather joyless, we need to meditate on Paul’s further words: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit,…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (5:18-20).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Spirit of God 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           is not a fluid with which we may be filled up. Instead of being under the influence of alcohol we are to be under the influence of God’s Spirit, the Spirit of Christ within us (see also Romans 8:9).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alcohol can lead to drunkenness and debauchery, which dehumanizes us. We become the reverse of what we were meant to be; no longer the glory of God’s creation, made in his image, we become as the beasts. However, when the Spirit of God fills our lives, he awakens us to be as we were meant to be – evoking song and thanksgiving.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Singing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,… singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (5:19).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We may not realize that the earliest churches expressed their joy in music and singing. The Psalms were their hymn book. And, from the New Testament era, praise has not only been offered to God but also to Christ as God. One of the ways we worship God and build relationships is by singing to one another as well as to the Lord what we learn from the Scriptures.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Emotions are an important part of our makeup. When the Spirit of God is at work in us our singing will have the rich sound that comes from people who have a deep joy that comes from knowing the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thanksgiving:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (5:20)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Nothing brings about tension and division more than ingratitude. A thankful heart trusts God, not just in good times but also in tough times. This stands in sharp contrast to fatalism that results in a resigned acceptance of a situation.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thankful people know that in every situation the all-good sovereign Lord is working out his wonderful purposes for us – as we also read in Romans 8:28-30. God’s 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           spirit-filled
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            people who display their indebtedness to God’s grace are people who know peace, harmony and joy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here we have a response to the cacophony of voices of our day – voices of people who know not love and joy and peace and who experience the suffering and injustices of life without hope. They have yet to find the God who loves them with a greater love than they ever dreamed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Carpe diem! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Don’t be drunk with wine; don’t be afraid. Rather, seize the day and live wisely in a world dominated by self-interest. And be filled with the Spirit – singing songs and hymns with gratitude to the Lord in your heart.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Almighty God, we thank you for the gift of your holy word. May it be a lantern to our feet, a light to our paths, and strength to our lives. Take us and use us to love and serve all people in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/thine-kingdom" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/thine-kingdom
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 09 Aug 2023 14:21:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-9-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-8-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-8-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-8-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For Thine Is the Kingdom
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All things are for the glory of God! This driving passion was the very heartbeat of the Lord Jesus Christ, the highest aim He sought, the loftiest goal He pursued. All things in life and ministry, He taught, are to be solely for the glory of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nowhere is this God-centered focus more clearly evidenced than in what Christ taught regarding prayer. To this end, all intercession before the throne of God must begin and end with resounding praise to Him. The Alpha and Omega of prayer must be for the glory of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Unfortunately, prayer today has often devolved into a self-centered pursuit that is fueled by the fulfilling of one’s indulgences. This “prosperity gospel” has denigrated prayer into nothing more than a “name it and claim it” shopping excursion. In this abuse of privileged access, God’s glory is all too forgotten.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But as Jesus Christ taught His disciples, the primary focus of prayer is for one to be riveted upon the supreme glory of God. As our Lord gave instruction regarding how to pray, He was unequivocal in teaching us to ascribe all glory to God. Everything must yield to the glory of God! In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matthew%206%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 6:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Jesus stated our prayers should conclude: “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen” (nkjv).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The above is quoted in the New King James Version, a translation based upon the Textus Receptus. In this passage, we encounter a textual problem, one that has been debated throughout the centuries. As such, many translations handle this portion of Scripture in varying ways. For example, the New American Standard Bible places these words in brackets. The English Standard Versionand New International Version omit this part of the verse altogether. For our purposes, however, we will consider these concluding words to the Lord’s Prayer as a part of the biblical text.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This climactic doxology begins with a passionate declaration of God’s sovereignty. When a believer prays, Jesus said, he should conclude by affirming, “For Yours is the kingdom.” This robust pronouncement asserts that God both possesses and presides over His vast kingdom. He is the sovereign king, who exercises supreme authority and unrestricted dominion over an immense empire. Certainly, this reign includes both the realm of providence and the sphere of salvation. He commands all the affairs of mankind, even the intricate inner workings of the entire universe. From His throne above, God “works all things according to the counsel of his will” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%201%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 1:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Because the kingdom and the power belong to God, all glory rightfully belongs to Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Further, Jesus taught His disciples that when they pray, they should declare that “the power” belongs to God. The definite article defines the infinite scope of His sovereignty. He possesses not a mere portion of some power, but thepower. That is to say, He has all power in heaven and earth. All that God’s supreme will chooses to do, He has the omnipotence to execute it fully. Nothing can hinder the free exercise of His sovereign pleasure.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is more, every prayer should climax with a vibrant declaration of God’s glory. Jesus said that our prayers should crescendo with this announcement that all glory belongs to God. Because the kingdom and the power belong to God, all glory rightfully belongs to Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Bible speaks of God’s glory in two ways. His intrinsic glory is the revelation of all that God is. It is the sum total of all His divine perfections and holy attributes. There is nothing that man can do to add to the intrinsic glory of God. He is who He is. Additionally, there is God’s ascribed glory, which is the glory that is given to Him. This is the praise and honor due His name. Such glory is to be ascribed to Him alone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here, at the end of the Lord’s Prayer, we find Christ referencing ascribed glory. In direct response to His vast sovereignty and unlimited power, all glory must be rendered to Him. In essence, such a high theology produces a high doxology. It is only fitting that this God, who is so awesome, be adorned in prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fervent praise, Jesus said, should come to God “forever.” Because His kingdom and power is without end, so must our praise be without ceasing. Every moment of life must be filled with praise, both now and throughout all eternity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Finally, Jesus taught His disciples to conclude their prayers with the sure attestation, “Amen.” This familiar word comes from a Hebrew root meaning to be firm and secure. “Amen” eventually came to mean: “It is immovably true.” Likewise, this should be our concluding response to God in prayer. Amen to all that we know to be true about God. Amen to His eternal kingdom. Amen to His sovereign will. Amen to His daily bread. Amen to His pardoning grace. Amen to His delivering power.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All prayer should build and rise to this lofty summit. We should conclude by fervently affirming that the kingdom, the power, and the glory belong exclusively to Him forever. Our only response must resoundingly be—amen!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/thine-kingdom" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/thine-kingdom
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Aug 2023 15:35:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-8-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-7-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-7-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-7-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Deeper Affection
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rightly do they love you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Song%20of%20Songs%201:4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Song of Songs 1:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Believers love Jesus with a deeper affection then they dare to give to any other being. They would sooner lose father and mother than part with Christ. They hold all earthly comforts with a loose hand, but they carry Him locked tight in their hearts. They voluntarily deny themselves for His sake, but they are not to be driven to deny Him. It is a feeble love that the fire of persecution can dry
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           up; the true believer’s love is a deeper stream than this.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Men have tried to divide the faithful from their Master, but their attempts have been fruitless in every age. Neither crowns of honor, nor frowns of anger have been able to untie this loving knot. This is not just a routine attachment that the world's power may eventually dissolve. Neither man nor devil have found a key that opens this lock. Never has the craft of Satan been more at fault than when he has exercised it in seeking to break this union of two divinely welded hearts. It is written, and nothing can blot out the sentence, “Rightly do they love you.” The intensity of the love of the upright, however, is not so much to be judged by how it appears as by what the upright long for.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is our daily lament that we cannot love enough. If only our hearts were capable of holding more and reaching further. Like Samuel Rutherford, we sigh and cry, “Oh, for as much love as would go round about the earth, and over heaven—yes, the heaven of heavens, and ten thousand worlds—that I might expand it all upon this fairest Lord Jesus.” Unfortunately, our longest reach is only a span of love, and our affection is like a drop in a bucket compared with what He deserves. Measure our love by our intentions, and it is strong indeed; we trust that the Lord judges it in this way. If only we could give all the love in all hearts in one great offering, a gathering together of all loves to Him who is altogether lovely!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/07/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/07/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Aug 2023 15:20:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-7-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-4-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-4-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-4-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Highest and Best Knowledge
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The people who know their God shall stand firm.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Daniel%2011:32/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daniel 11:32
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Every believer understands that to know God is the highest and best form of knowledge; and this spiritual knowledge is a source of strength to the Christian. It strengthens his faith. Believers are constantly referred to in the Bible as people who are enlightened and taught by the Lord; they are said to “have been anointed by the Holy One,” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1JN.2.20-22.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 2:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and it is the Spirit’s peculiar office to lead them into all truth, so that they might grow in their faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Knowledge strengthens love as well as faith. Knowledge opens the door, and then through that door we see our Savior. Or to put it another way, knowledge paints the portrait of Jesus, and when we see that portrait, then we love Him. We cannot love a Christ whom we do not know at least in some degree. If we know only a little of the excellencies of Jesus, what He has done for us and what He is doing now, we cannot love Him much; but the more we know Him, the more we will love Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Knowledge also strengthens hope. How can we hope for something if we do not know of its existence? Hope may be the telescope, but until we receive instruction, our ignorance blocks our view, and we can see nothing. Knowledge removes the blockage, and when we look through the bright optic glass we discover the glory to be revealed and anticipate it with joyful confidence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Knowledge supplies us with reason for patience. How will we have patience unless we know something of the sympathy of Christ and understand the good that comes out of the correction that our heavenly Father sends us? There is not a single Christian who, under God, will not be fostered and brought to perfection by holy knowledge. It is then very important that we should grow not only in grace, but in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/04/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/04/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 04 Aug 2023 15:14:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-4-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-3-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-3-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-3-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Faith That Exceeds Flannel-Graphs: An Excerpt from Finding God in the Darkness
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is an excerpt from “Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment” by Bradley Gray (1517 Publishing, 2023).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Christian faith is, in every way, a bloody faith, and that ought not to make you fearful or scared or embarrassed. “Christian religion is covered in blood,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           writes Abilene Christian University theology professor Brad East
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . “Wherever you look, you’re bound to see red.” For some, this might cause no small amount of trepidation. Integral to your faith, however, is a consideration of the violence of the cross and the blood that was spilled there — specifically, the blood that “speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Heb.%2012%3A24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 12:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The notion that the scaffolding of your faith is a structure of violent belief can seem untenable within our current cultural context and social climate. But, to be sure, Christianity’s unpopularity isn’t a modern novelty. This is nothing new. Those within the church felt detested as early as the first century when congregants of the early church were accused of cannibalism because they found so much hope in blood that had been shed for them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That recoil was brought to the fore again in 2004 during the lead-up to Mel Gibson’s much-discussed and much-maligned film, The Passion of the Christ. Upon its release, critics both within and without the faith rushed to decry the project as an exploitative experience which, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/25/movies/film-review-good-and-evil-locked-in-violent-showdown.html" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           according to one reviewer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , succeeded “more in assaulting the spirit than in uplifting it.” When a movie about Christ is being boycotted by the church because of its grotesque depiction of Christ’s crucifixion, it is, perhaps, a good indication that the church has forgotten the scandal which makes our faith so brutally precious. Such is what Gibson, in his own words, was intent on depicting. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “I wanted it to be shocking; and I wanted it to be extreme,” Gibson said a revealing 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ecnfe530IE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           primetime interview with Diane Sawyer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “So that they see the enormity of that sacrifice; to see that someone could endure that and still come back with love and forgiveness, even through extreme pain and suffering and ridicule. The actual crucifixion was more violent than what was shown on the film, but I thought no one would get anything out of it.” Maybe all those flannel-graph lessons in Sunday school did too good of a job at sanitizing the sight of the cross. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nevertheless, we ought not to shy away from the portrait of a bleeding God. The cross is offensive, and that’s okay. “It grates on us,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christ-Calamity-Senkbeil/dp/1683594436" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           notes Harold Senkbeil
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “that God would achieve his highest purpose through lowly degradation and in such disgusting squalor, by using human flesh and bone; nails, spear, and wood; blood, sweat, and spit” (46). Within that divine-yet-human plasma that co-mingles with Jewish dirt lies the remission for every single one of my sins and the sins of all who believe. The goriness of Golgotha is glorified in the recognition that the crimson stream that flows from Jesus’s veins isn’t only royal, it’s divine. The blood of the cross that washes sin-stained scoundrels whiter than snow is nothing less than the blood of God. This is the gracious absurdity of the gospel of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is an excerpt from Finding God in the Darkness: Hopeful Reflections from the Pits of Depression, Despair, and Disappointment by Bradley Gray (1517 Publishing, 2023).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/faith-that-exceeds-flannel-graphs-an-excerpt-from-finding-god-in-the-darkness" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/faith-that-exceeds-flannel-graphs-an-excerpt-from-finding-god-in-the-darkness
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Aug 2023 11:56:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-3-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-2-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-2-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-2-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Summer growth: Spiritual Amnesia...?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christians: The Urgent Case for Jesus in Our World
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (2021), Dr Greg Sheridan, Australian foreign affairs journalist and writer, comments: ‘In the West… religious belief has been in serious decline in recent years. The loss of faith is part of a broad movement in the culture. It is also partly, … related to a shocking loss of knowledge’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He continues, ‘The West is a culture willing itself into amnesia and ignorance, like a patient carefully requesting their medical records and then burning them, so they and their physicians will have no knowledge of what made them sick in the past, and what made them well. … If you believe, as I do, that the Bible is true, this is our society willfully depriving itself of truth’ (p.40).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his Letter to the Ephesians, chapter 4, verse 17 Paul the Apostle writes: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds, darkened in their understanding, separated from the love of God, because of the ignorance within them…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A world without God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Paul is not saying that people who seek to live without God can’t be academically smart. Rather, he is saying that no matter how clever people might be, they need to be taught about God. For no matter how sharp or developed their reasoning, they won’t find answers to the true meaning of life without God.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Furthermore, he comments,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            minds without Christ
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           produce various moral symptoms: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They have lost all sensitivity and have abandoned themselves to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of impurity
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (4:19).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul isn’t saying that every unbeliever is a libertine. Rather, he is speaking about the lifestyle humanity tends to adopt when it chooses to live without God. Yes, there are social inhibitions that check our desires – good families, schools, and social conventions. But, as we’re seeing around us, values are changing. Minds without God invariably slide towards self-indulgence and sensuality. And, if we’re honest, when we look into our own heart we will surely agree.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           New life – new lifestyle.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Having laid out what happens in a world without God, Paul turns to the new life God expects of his people. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Put off the old self
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , he exhorts; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           be renewed in the spirit of your minds
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           put on the new self
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (4:23f). With these active and passive verbs — 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           put off, be renewed,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           put on
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Paul reveals that we are to play our part in adopting a new lifestyle. God will be working in our lives, but we are to own our responsibility in this new relationship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And this awakens us to the way God works with his people. We are dependent upon God for our daily food, but that doesn’t mean that we expect him to provide house or room service. We need to work for a living and shop for food. In the same way there is a balance of this process of becoming more like God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On the one hand, God in Christ puts a new mind in his people – an act in which we are completely passive. On the other hand, there is the part that we must play. This is why the New Testament is full of exhortations: to struggle against sin, to fight the good fight and to run the race. Christianity is not a spectator sport where we are up in the grandstand, watching the Holy Spirit win all these battles for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The new life requires effort. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Holy Spirit’s work is not to save us the effort, but rather to awaken us to Jesus and to enable us to run. When we become God’s people we have a new nature within us, counteracting the sin virus. God is now working within us, yes, but we have a part to play in developing qualities of holiness and righteousness. We won’t experience this perfection until the coming of the Lord. For the present we are works in progress.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What then does this new life look like? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be imitators of God… and walk in love…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Paul exhorts (5:1f). 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            sums up the sort of life we ought to live. However, as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is an abstract noun, it needs definition, which we find in chapter 4, verses 25 through 32.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Love means 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           telling the truth
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           putting off falsehood, for we are members of one body
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            4:25)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            It means controlling our temper: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (4:26). There are times when we are justly angry but we mustn’t let it overwhelm or dominate our lives. God will judge all injustice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our useful and honest work is to provide benefit for others (as well as addressing our own needs – 4:28). In our conversations we are 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           not to let any unwholesome talk come out of
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (4:29).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are to honor God, not grieving 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the Holy Spirit of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (4:30)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Furthermore, there is no place for 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            as well as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           every form of malice
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            in our relationships. But most of all, Paul says, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other,…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Why? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Just as in Christ God forgave you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            With these exhortations
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Paul is not setting out an exhaustive list of rules to follow.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He couldn’t do this in a way that would address every situation in life. Rather he sets out illustrations for the underlying principles of honoring God and loving one another.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, when we find ourselves in situations of moral uncertainty, inventing more rules is not the solution. Rather, we need to reflect on the perfect model – the Lord Jesus. In turn we need to pray for wisdom and strength to exemplify the kind of self-denying love that Christ showed – in his attitudes to those around him and, supremely, when he gave himself up on the cross. We will not go far wrong if we try to live a life like Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be imitators of God…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Paul writes. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (5:1-2).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here then is a response to the spiritual amnesia around us – our growing Christlike lives. Let’s then pray that God will so work with his Spirit and his Word within us that we will grow in the riches of his love and bear the fruit of his Spirit in our lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            A prayer.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Teach us, gracious Lord, to begin our works with reverence, to go on in obedience, and finish them with love; and then to wait patiently in hope, and with cheerful countenance to look up to you, whose promises are faithful and rewards infinite; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-spiritual-amnesia/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-spiritual-amnesia/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:13:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-2-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 8-1-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-1-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-1-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zeal without Knowledge
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many people are surprised, and some are shocked, when they hear of my involvement in the charismatic movement years ago.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It began in 1965, shortly after I returned from graduate study in Holland to teach philosophy and theology at my alma mater. Some of my senior students who were preparing for ministry kept talking to me excitedly about their experiences with the Holy Spirit and about receiving the gift of tongues. My first response was profound skepticism, because my only previous experience had been with hardcore Pentecostals whose views of sanctification I deemed aberrant. Soon, however, the sheer number of my students involved in this phenomenon, coupled with their high level of competence as students, provoked me to give them the “philosophy of the second glance.” I also saw reports that tongues-speaking was breaking out in mainline denominations such as the Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopalian, and Lutheran churches. Reports of outbreaks at Notre Dame and at Duquesne University also piqued my curiosity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I began meeting with my students to discuss the matter at my home. These meetings became regular times of prayer that lasted several hours or, on at least one occasion, all night. Because of the marvelous ardor for prayer these students displayed, I began to wonder whether I was missing something in my own spiritual life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My attention then turned to the New Testament, particularly to Paul’s teaching on tongues in 1 Corinthians. In chapters 12–14, Paul deals with abuses of tongues in the Corinthian church and rebukes those who had elevated their gifts over those of others. It was clear that Paul did not put tongues, or glossolalia, at the apex of gifts and did not teach tongues as an indispensable sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Corinthians%2014/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Corinthians 14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Paul gives detailed instructions about the use of tongues. Though he warns sharply against many abuses of tongues, he does not outlaw their use. Indeed, he explicitly says, “do not forbid to speak with tongues” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%2014%3A39b/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 14:39b
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Paul also writes: “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%2014%3A4%E2%80%935a/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 14:4–5a
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Paul clearly is teaching the comparative superiority of prophecy over tongues. But he is comparing the good and the better, not the good and the bad.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two things struck me in this passage. The first is that Paul says tongues are edifying for the individual. As a Christian, I certainly wanted everything the Holy Spirit had available to me. Second, the apostle says he wishes all the Corinthian Christians speak with tongues. Even though he also expresses his preference for prophecy, he still asserts his desire that all speak in tongues. Finally, in verse 18, Paul says, “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Since Paul was a tongues-speaker and expressed his desire for all to speak in tongues, I took this to mean that I should pursue this spiritual gift.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The major obstacle I still faced was the question of whether what was happening in the contemporary charismatic movement was indeed a revival of the New Testament gifts. That is, was the modern outbreak of glossolalia the same thing that was practiced in the apostolic church? I found this to be an extremely difficult question to answer given the paucity of references to the phenomenon throughout church history, save for its dawn among deeply heretical groups such as the Montanists.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I must live by the Word, as the Spirit never works against the Word but always with it and through it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In any case, I sought the gift and soon was able to join my friends in praying in tongues. But I found no great edification from it and still preferred to pray with understanding.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the meantime, I continued to investigate the question of whether this was the New Testament phenomenon. As the movement expanded, reports began to come in of people in non-Christian religions practicing “tongues.” There were also reports that tongues had been identified as known foreign languages, but none of these reports was verified.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As time passed, several things became clear. First, a neo-Pentecostal theology was becoming popular. Though not monolithic among charismatics, it stressed tongues-speaking as a necessary and indispensable sign of the Biblical concept of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It also was marked by fantastic claims of miracles and supernatural prophecies with new revelation. The more interpretations of tongues-speaking and prophecies I heard, the more false doctrine and false prophecy I heard. Several people spoke “prophecies” to me about specific things that would occur within a specific time period. Every single prophecy of that sort failed to materialize. I heard manifestly false doctrine, doctrine in clear antithesis to Scripture, being urged upon people via tongues interpretations. Extravagant claims of miracles that I was able to investigate proved to be unfounded. Something obviously was deeply wrong with the picture. In short, the charismatic movement was not delivering the goods.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More and more people were seeking to live the Christian life on the basis of subjective feelings rather than on the Word. I saw a strong revival of “Deeper Life” type views of sanctification that promised Christians a special second work of grace by which they could live the “victorious” Christian life through being “filled with the Spirit.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The church now had two classes of Christians—those who were baptized in the Spirit and those who were not; those who were “spirit-filled” and those who were not. This dichotomy, I became convinced, not only was not taught in the New Testament but was contrary to what is taught there. I came to realize that the charismatic view of the Day of Pentecost represented a distortion of its Biblical significance. The charismatic view of Pentecost was a low one, not a high one.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I began to see that anyone who is uninhibited enough can utter unintelligible sounds while in a posture of prayer. I don’t doubt anyone’s experience of praying in such a fashion, but I am concerned it is not a supernatural event and is not the same as what was experienced in the early church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My final departure from the movement came when I realized that I must live by the Word, as the Spirit never works against the Word but always with it and through it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I still enjoy fellowship with my charismatic friends and delight in their love for prayer. I am grateful for the real revival in interest in the person and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church that this movement has spawned. However, I am very concerned about the false doctrine it has brought in its wake.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/zeal-without-knowledge" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/zeal-without-knowledge
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Aug 2023 14:27:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-8-1-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-31-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-31-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-31-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are You Taking Advantage of Him?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I in them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%2017:23/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 17:23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If this is the union between our souls and the person of our Lord, how deep and broad is the channel of our communion! This is no narrow channel through which a threadlike stream may wind its way; it is a river of amazing depth and breadth, along whose glorious length a ponderous volume of living water may roll its floods. Consider how He has set before us an open door; let us not be slow to enter.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This city of communion has many pearly gates, every gate is made of one pearl, and each gate is thrown open wide so that we may enter, assured of welcome. If there were but one small loophole through which to talk with Jesus, it would be a high privilege to thrust a word of fellowship through the narrow door; how much we are blessed in having so large an entrance! If the Lord Jesus were far away from us, with many a stormy sea between, we would long to send a messenger to Him to carry Him our love and bring us tidings from His Father’s house; but consider His kindness—He has built His house next—door to ours. More than that, He lives with us and makes His home in our poor humble hearts, so He may have continual fellowship with us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           O how foolish must we be if we do not live in constant communion with Him. When the road is long and dangerous and difficult, it is no surprise that friends seldom meet each other; but when they live together, shall Jonathan forget his David? A wife may, when her husband is on a journey, spend many days without conversing with him, but she could never endure to be separated from him if she knew him to be in one of the rooms of her own house. Why, believer, do you not sit at His banquet of wine? Seek your Lord, for He is near; embrace Him, for He is your Brother. Hold Him fast, for He is your Husband; and press Him to your heart, for He is your kith and kin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/31/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/31/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 31 Jul 2023 11:28:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-31-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-28-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-28-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-28-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Guilty of Brutishness
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was brutish and ignorant;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was like a beast toward you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2073:22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 73:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remember, this is the confession of the man of God; and in telling us his inner life, he writes, “I was brutish and ignorant.” The word “brutish” conveys the extent of his wayward folly. In an earlier verse of the Psalm, the psalmist writes, “I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked,” which shows that his ignorant reaction was sinful. He puts himself down as being “brutish,” and in doing so conveys the intensity of his feelings. His attitude and reaction was sinful. He could not excuse it but deserved to be condemned because of its perverseness and willful ignorance. He had been envious of the immediate prosperity of the ungodly, forgetting the ultimate, dreadful end that they faced.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are we any better than him that we should call ourselves wise? Do we profess that we have attained perfection or have been so disciplined that our stubbornness has been removed? This would be pride indeed! If the psalmist was foolish, how foolish are we when we fail to see ourselves!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Look back, believer: Think of when you doubted God when He was so faithful to you; think of your foolish outcry of “Not so, my Father” when He crossed His hands in affliction to give you the greater blessing; think of the many times when you have read His providences in the dark, misinterpreted His dealings, and groaned, “All these things are against me” when they are in fact working together for your good! Think how often you have chosen sin because of its pleasure, when indeed that pleasure was a root of bitterness to you!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Surely if we know our own heart we must plead guilty to the indictment of a sinful folly; and conscious of this “brutishness,” we must learn to say with the psalmist, “You guide me with Your counsel.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/28/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/28/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Jul 2023 12:58:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-28-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-27-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-27-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-27-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What Use is a Pastor?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A pastor is sent to proclaim the unconditional grace of God, reminding us again and again that it is our Heavenly Father who reaches out to us in love through his Christ-won forgiveness, and not the other way around.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In a world of constant change and shifting values, of ever-new innovations and faster ways to connect and communicate with others, one may wonder, "What use is a pastor?" We have the internet and social media. Do we really need someone to guide us in matters of faith and spirituality? Well, simply put, yes. The vocation of a pastor goes far beyond mere religious guidance. The truth about a pastor's purpose for serving a congregation of baptized sinners can dispel any misconceptions we may hold that blind us to the true calling of God’s preachers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           First and foremost, a pastor is not a spiritual dictator or an infallible sage. No, a pastor is a baptized sinner too, clinging to Jesus Christ in faith the same as any Christian. Therefore, just as he was once given a pastor himself, a pastor is called in the same way to serve the communion of saints as a shepherd and servant. Amongst the priesthood of all believers, the vocation of a pastor is primarily God’s call to shepherd the congregation he’s been given to, preaching and teaching them God's Word and thus nurturing their spiritual lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A pastor is also a steward of the means of the Spirit. He is an instrument through which the forgiveness of sins and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are communicated. Or, to put it more formally, a pastor is called to administer the sacraments and proclaim the Gospel, grounding the faithful in the saving work of Christ. It is through these means of the Spirit that the pastor becomes an instrument of God's love, providing comfort, assurance, and a reminder of God's unfailing presence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But that (and this cannot be emphasized strongly enough) does not mean a pastor is a gatekeeper to salvation, nor can he manipulate God's grace and favor through his own efforts. Rather, a pastor, as an instrument of the Holy Spirit, delivers Jesus Christ to the congregation. He is the true source of life, salvation, and hope. A pastor is sent to proclaim the unconditional grace of God, reminding us again and again that it is our Heavenly Father who reaches out to us in love through his Christ-won forgiveness, and not the other way around.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, what use is a pastor? A pastor serves as a proclaimer, a shepherd, and a fellow worker in the gospel. Pastors provide pastoral care, nurturing the spiritual well-being of the congregation. They stand as a witness to the power of God’s grace in Jesus Christ, reminding us that we are saved not by our own works, but by the unmerited favor of our Heavenly Father. A pastor calls people to gather in worship, teaching them God’s Word, and walking with them through whatever challenges may come, fostering a community of faith that supports and encourages one another.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And in a world that often values material success, fame, and instant gratification, the vocation of a pastor stands as God’s counter-cultural reminder of what truly matters. God’s use of pastors is rooted in his love and compassion and the desire to point others to the cross of Jesus for their comfort and consolation. Therefore, it is through the pastor's preaching of the gospel, in baptism, and in the eating and drinking of Christ’s body and blood that God's gifts are made graspable for us, offering us absolution, solace, assurance, and hope. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, yes, in God’s way of doing things, the pastor is indispensable because he is the instrument of God's electing love. He comes preaching the good news that our salvation is not a product of our own efforts, but a gift bestowed upon us by God's grace and mercy in Jesus Christ. Through the pastor's faithful proclamation, we are given this indestructible, unfailing gift, to live in the freedom of God's grace, and to boldly proclaim the Good News to a world desperately in need of the same hope we’ve received. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From the mouth of the pastor, we encounter the God who elected us before the foundation of the world, who calls us by name, and who invites us into a relationship of boundless love and infinite grace. So cherish your pastors, honor their calling, and humbly receive the gifts they deliver on behalf of our blessed Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Through their ministry, we are grasped by God's unchanging, unfailing, and unwavering love for each and every one of us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/what-use-is-a-pastor" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/what-use-is-a-pastor
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 27 Jul 2023 11:55:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-27-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-26-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-26-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-26-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Summer Growth: Essential for Growth...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Commenting on how we understand Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Rebecca McLaughlin writes: ‘we hear a call to care for strangers in need. But Jesus’s first audience heard more. They heard a story of love across racial, religious, and political difference, in which the moral hero was their sworn enemy’ (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Secular Creed
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , 2021: p.11).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To which we might add, ‘Yet how many in the wider community today are aware of the parable of the Good Samaritan let alone understand its significance for us?’ Even more importantly, how many know the Jesus of the historical Gospel accounts?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The key to everyone’s understanding lies in the ministry gifts that Paul the Apostle highlights in chapter 4 of his 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Letter to the Ephesians
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Having written of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the unity
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            of God’s people – there is 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           one Lord, one faith, one baptism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (4:6) – he moves on to the theme of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           diversity
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . In their unity, God’s people are not monochrome but rather, to change the metaphor, can be likened to the instruments of the heavenly orchestra because of the variety of gifts he gives each one of us. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Paul says (4:7)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Having rescued his people through an act of extraordinary and undeserved 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           grace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (2:5, 8), 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God gives to all his people a 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           grace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            or 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           gift
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            for the building up of the Christian community
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Drawing from Psalm 68 which is associated with the Jewish Pentecost and the receiving and giving of the law though Moses to the people, Paul uses it as an analogy for Christ receiving the Spirit and now giving the gifts of the Spirit to God’s people. Furthermore, as Christ 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           descended
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            from heaven, taking on human form and dying the death we justly deserve, he has now 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ascended
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , being raised from the dead to heaven where he now holds supreme power at God’s right hand (Philippians 2:5-11).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From this position God in Christ now gives each one of his people back to the church as a gift. The 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           declaratory gifts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            are essential for the growth of the church: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Paul writes (4:11).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           apostles
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           were a select group, called and sent by Jesus himself – men who had personally met with the risen Lord Jesus Christ and who were equipped by him to reveal and proclaim him to the nations. They would have a true understanding of the significance of his life, death and resurrection. Their unique ministry, together with that of the prophets, is foundational for the church (Ephesians 2:20).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           prophets
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            are also one-of-a-kind in the Bible in that God has uniquely spoken through them. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thus says the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            characterized their ministry. We therefore need to beware of all who bring new ideas claiming to be prophets.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In some circles much is made of the phrase, ‘apostolic succession’, applying it to bishops and sometimes to church-planters. It is said they stand in the succession of the apostles through the laying on of hands. But Paul is not suggesting this. The biblical way to speak of an apostolic succession is to relate it to the preaching and teaching that is consistent with what the apostles and prophets proclaimed and taught.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul next references 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           evangelists
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (4:11). While all God’s people are called upon to play a part in testifying to their faith. God calls 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           some
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            to have a special ministry as evangelists – being gifted in evangelistic speaking or effective evangelistic equipping of God’s people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From its inception Christianity has had a global vision
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , and key to this movement isn’t force of arms but a message. We often forget Jesus’ words, ‘
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           fields are white
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ready
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           for harvest
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (John 4:35). With his reference to the gift of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           evangelists
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Paul underlines God’s purpose to rescue men and women and build his church. Every congregation needs to pray for, identify and support 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           evangelists
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            amongst them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And there is another gift, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           pastors and teacher
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           s
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Because Paul omits the definite article before 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           teachers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           he indicates that the gift of pastor and teacher are paired. A pastor is a teacher and a teacher a pastor. To teach God’s Word is to pastor God’s people. To be an effective Christian pastor, God’s Word needs to be explained and applied.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           pastor
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           teacher
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is given by God as a gift to guide and grow his people. The services for the ordination of ministers in the 1552/1662 Book of Common Prayer reflect these principles from Ephesians, applying them to ministers and bishops. They’re not super-holy people; rather, they are gifted as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           pastors and teachers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul explains God’s purpose in giving these declaratory gifts to his people: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To equip the saints
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (literally, the holy ones) 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           for the work of ministry,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (4:13).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God is committed to building his church, not just in number but also in maturity. And this is achieved primarily through the ministry of his Word. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            have the task of reaching the wider community. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pastors and teachers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            are to equip God’s people so that we can all play a part in ministries to one another that promote our unity in Christ and our growth in knowing him. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God wants us to become a healthy and mature body of people in our walk together with Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, he doesn’t want us to be fickle in our faith, tossed to and fro by every new teaching that arises, new teaching that might at first appear biblical, but which in fact takes us in a new direction that is not biblically-grounded – as happens in churches that are carried along by the culture.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In a world where progressive voices are demanding attention, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           how much more do we need to grow in our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Essential to our growth and our voice in the wider community are the declaratory ministries of God’s Word. The ministries of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           evangelists
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           pastors and teachers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            are essential. We may pray for the ministers of our church, but are we also praying for 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           evangelists
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            in our number?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord Christ, eternal Word and Light of the Father’s glory: send your light and your truth so that we may both know and proclaim your word of life, to the glory of God the Father; for you now live and reign, God for all eternity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-essential-for-growth/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-essential-for-growth/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Jul 2023 13:20:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-26-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-25-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-25-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-25-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Death Does Not Have the Last Word
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The guns of secular naturalism, when aimed at the Christian faith, resemble not so much shotguns as carefully aimed rifles. The chief target of the naturalist is the biblical doctrine of creation. If the doctrine of creation falls, all of Judeo-Christianity falls with it. Every skeptic understands that. Thus the constant shooting at 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Genesis%201/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But along with the assault against divine creation comes an assault against the biblical teaching of a historical Adam who is involved in a historical fall, the result of which is the entrance of death into the world. If Adam can be confined to the genre of mythology and the fall set aside with him, then we see death as a purely natural phenomenon with no relationship to sin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Much is at stake with the biblical teaching of the fall because this doctrine is linked to the doctrine of redemption. The historical function of the first Adam is matched and conquered by the historical life of the last Adam, Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the eighteenth century, when Jonathan Edwards wrote his lengthy treatise on original sin, he argued not simply from biblical teaching. He also maintained that if the Bible itself were completely silent about a historical fall, natural reason would have to suggest that idea based on the reality of the universal presence of sin. If sin is simply a result of bad decisions that some people make, we would assume that at least 50 percent of the people born in this world would choose the right path rather than the sinful one that is so damaging to our humanity. The fact that 100 percent of the human race falls into sin indicates that there must be an inherent moral defect in the race. Of course, Edwards points to the fall, a historical event, to account for this universal fatal flaw.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the Genesis account, we are told that the soul that sins will die. In His warning to our original parents with respect to disobedience, God declared that “the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gen.%202%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 2:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But the record goes on to say that the day Adam and Eve disobeyed their Maker, they did not experience the fullness of what the Greek translation of the Old Testament calls thanatos—physical death. Because of this, some have argued that the death that God promised was not physical death but rather spiritual death.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To be sure, spiritual death set in the very day that Adam and Eve sinned. But the fact that they did not experience physical death that day was not a result of God being lax regarding His warnings and judgments. Rather, it was a result of God’s tempering His justice with mercy and allowing for the redemption of His fallen creatures, even though Adam and Eve were still ultimately destined to succumb to physical death.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Far from falling asleep, we are awakened to glory in all of its significance. For the believer, death does not have the last word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Since the fall, every human being born into this world as a natural son of Adam arrives “DOA.” He is “dead on arrival” in a spiritual sense when he is born. But this spiritual death is not the same as biological death, though biological death is also the inevitable destiny of every sinning person. So, though we arrive “DOA” in a spiritual sense, we nevertheless arrive biologically alive. We live out our days on this planet on death row, living under the burden of the death sentence that is imposed on us for sin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Romans%205/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Paul links the entrance of death into the world to sin. In verses 12–14 he writes,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned — for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Later, in verse 17, Paul continues, “For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” Here Paul is arguing that even though the Mosaic law had not yet appeared on tablets of stone at Mount Sinai, nevertheless God had written His law so indelibly on each human heart that this law was present even before the Ten Commandments. The reason that Paul argues for that reality is because death reigned from Adam until Moses. Since death is the penalty for sin, and sin is defined in terms of transgression of law, the conclusion the apostle stresses is that death came into the world because of the violation of the law of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When the contrast between the first Adam and the last Adam, Jesus Christ, is worked out in the New Testament, we see in the work of Christ the conquest over the last enemy — death. The Puritan Divine John Owen wrote a classic book titled The Death of Death in the Death of Christ. Owen was saying that, in Christ’s death, He took upon Himself the curse that is inseparably linked to the punitive measure of death itself. Yet for those who put their trust in Christ, that curse is removed, so that now, for all who are in Christ, death is no longer a curse. Its sting has been removed. The mockery of the grave has been silenced and now death is merely a transition from this life to the next. The contrast that is given in the New Testament is not that this life is bad and the next life is good. On the contrary, the apostle Paul says that this life is good, but to die and to be with Christ is better. So death represents for the believer a gain, indeed, an extraordinary gain.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When we close our eyes in death, we do not cease to be alive; rather, we experience a continuation of personal consciousness. No person is more conscious, more aware, and more alert than when he passes through the veil from this world into the next. Far from falling asleep, we are awakened to glory in all of its significance. For the believer, death does not have the last word. Death has surrendered to the conquering power of the One who was resurrected as the firstborn of many brethren.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/death-does-not-have-the-last-word" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/death-does-not-have-the-last-word
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Jul 2023 16:24:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-25-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-24-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-24-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-24-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Constrained on All Sides
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Exodus%2014:13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Exodus 14:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These words contain God’s command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he now to do? The Master’s word to him is, “Stand firm.” It will be well for him if at such times he listens only to his Master’s word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Despair whispers, “Lie down and die; give it all up.” But God would have us put on a cheerful courage and even in our worst times rejoice in His love and faithfulness. Cowardice says, “Retreat; go back to the worldling’s way of action; you cannot play the Christian’s part—it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles.” But however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God. His divine decree has bid you go from strength to strength, and so you shall, and neither death nor hell shall turn you from your course. Even if you are called to stand firm for a while, this is in order to renew your strength for some greater advance in due time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Precipitancy cries, “Do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait is sheer idleness.” We must be doing something at once—we must do it, so we think—instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything. Presumption boasts, “If the sea is before you, march into it and expect a miracle.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But faith listens neither to presumption, nor to despair, nor to cowardice, nor to precipitancy, but it hears God say, “Stand firm,” and immovable as a rock it stands. “Stand firm”—keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long before God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, “Go forward.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/21/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/24/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Jul 2023 14:25:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-24-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-21-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-21-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-21-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Away Then, All Fears
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           She wags her head behind y
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ou —
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the daughter of Jerusalem.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Isaiah%2037:22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 37:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reassured by the Word of the Lord, the poor trembling citizens of Zion grew bold and shook their heads at Sennacherib’s boastful threats. Strong faith enables the servants of God to look with calm contempt upon their most haughty foes. We know that our enemies are attempting impossibilities. They seek to destroy eternal life, which cannot die while Jesus lives — to overthrow the citadel, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. They kick against the goads to their own wounding and defiantly charge against God to their own hurt.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We know their weakness. What are they but men? And what is man but a worm? They roar and swell like waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame. When the Lord arises, they shall fly as chaff before the wind and be consumed as crackling thorns. Their utter powerlessness to do damage to the cause of God and His truth may make the weakest soldiers in Zion’s ranks laugh them to scorn.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above all, we know that the Most High is with us, and when He clothes Himself in armor, where are His enemies? If He comes forth from His place, the fragments of the earth will not long contend with their Maker. His rod of iron shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel, and their very remembrance shall perish from the earth. Away, then, all fears—the kingdom is safe in the King’s hands. Let us shout for joy, for the Lord reigns, and His foes shall be as straw for compost.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As true as God’s own word is true;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nor earth, nor hell, with all their crew,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Against us shall prevail.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           A jest, and byword, are they grown;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           God is with us, we are his own,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our victory cannot fail.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/21/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/21/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Jul 2023 13:34:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-21-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-20-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-20-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-20-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           T
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;strong&gt;&#xD;
      
           he Gospel for Aliens?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/strong&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The existence of aliens can not negate the promise given to us by God courtesy of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some of my favorite memories growing up are watching Sci-Fi Movies with my father. Star Trek, Star Wars, X-Files, Twilight Zone – the more outlandish and far-fetched – the better! As I grow older each year, I can't help but watch or read anything Sci-Fi and not think of my father with fond memories. For that alone, I am thankful for all things "aliens."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But what would a good and respectable theological response be to the question "Are there aliens out there?" or "If aliens exist, what does this mean for our understanding of the gospel?" I have a few thoughts on this below, some of which were fortified by this 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/june-web-only/cs-lewis-warned-us-about-close-encounters-of-evangelical-ki.html" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           article
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           on the observations of C.S. Lewis on the same topic. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Look to Scripture
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Just like with all matters of speculation, we must go where Scripture goes and stop where Scripture stops. No verse directly implies God created other intelligent life apart from our own species. However, if there is intelligent life out there, we can agree with Scripture that God is their creator just as much as he is our own: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For in him, all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Col.%201%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 1:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If aliens do exist, the gospel would still be the gospel. Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man, was crucified on the cross for sinners who just so happen to be human. Therefore, the benefits of Christ's death and resurrection are benefits given to human sinners alone. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The gospel for aliens? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If there are other alien species like us, are they sinners too? And if they are also sinners, do they have a redemption plan from God? This is where things get a little sticky. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Since Scripture tells us that God chose to create man in his image, it would make sense that the redemption plan is only given to the species which mirrors this image. Therefore humanity, in light of this understanding, is set apart from the rest of God's creation. This would include any of God's creation that exists outside of our known universe. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The atoning death of Jesus would not be the same for aliens who are not human (unless there is some weird Sci-Fi twist that they are human). However, if God has given that promise to another species, he has not filled us in on that in his revelation of Scriptures, and such a promise doesn't negate what that revelation does tell us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Additionally, if aliens are not sinners, then they need no redemption plan. Let's hope we never meet these imagined, sinless aliens, for we would surely either corrupt them or be at war with them. How could they, in their righteousness and sinlessness, not see fit to destroy us while we, in our contrived and false sense of righteousness, a part from Christ, not see fit to destroy them? But not to worry! Whatever their powers may be, none could rival the omnipotence of our God. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Gospel for Us
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I do not see how the existence of aliens would impact the gospel's validity for us in any significant way. The existence of aliens can not negate the promise given to us by God courtesy of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is 100% God and 100% man. We are created in his image. He embodies an atoning sacrifice for man because he is a man. If aliens are real and if they ever show up on our planet, there will be a lot of details to figure out, a lot of philosophy to unpack and rethink, and definitely, some theological tenets to re-examine. But if that day ever comes, we can remain confident that the promise given to us and fulfilled for us through Christ Jesus remains as sure as ever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/the-gospel-for-aliens" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/the-gospel-for-aliens
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jul 2023 16:06:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-20-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-19-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-19-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-19-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Summer Growth: Vital Community...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sixty years ago the writer, M.E. Macdonald wrote: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The real menace to life in the world today is not the hydrogen bomb… but the fact of proximity without community
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (M.E. Macdonald, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Need To Believe,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            1959, p.82). And nothing has changed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We see it exemplified on the New York subway where everyone avoids one another’s gaze by focusing on their phone or reading a book. Yet the barriers fall away when the unexpected occurs – perhaps the performance of a group of acrobats that can awaken smiles and even brief comments, before slipping back behind the mask.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Humility.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            In Ephesians, chapter 2 Paul the Apostle writes that God is building a new society of people drawn from all the nations of the world. Now in chapter 4 he develops expectations for this new community. It’s a theme he is excited about.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            he writes in verse 1. On the night of his arrest, Jesus said to his disciples, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘A new commandment I give you: that you love one another as I have loved you’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (John 13:34). Our problem is that we keep failing in this. Yet relationships amongst God’s people are so important that Paul tells us we need to work at them. He exhorts us: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Lead a life worthy of your calling, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (4:2-3)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider the flipside of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           humility and gentleness: conceit
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           insensitivity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Wrapped up in themselves conceited people dismiss anyone for whom they have little regard. No, says Paul, you are called to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           humility
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           gentleness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            These aren’t signs of weakness, but rather strength: it is only the strong who can be humble and caring.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To these qualities he adds 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           patience,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            literally, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           longsuffering
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . The flipside is the quick-fire temper that explodes at the least provocation. Most of us have areas of our personality where we respond out of all proportion to a situation. It’s as though we have minefields in our lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some have very few mines and relate naturally and easily to others – even when they disagree. Others, however, have personality mines that explode when they encounter someone with whom they disagree. Indeed, it only takes one ‘walking minefield’ to destroy the morale and endeavor of a community.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How then can God’s people develop a vital community? We have a resource and a model that no-one else has: the character of God. God is not without his points of conflict with us, but he is patient and has provided the means whereby he can forgive us. He doesn’t hold grudges and he doesn’t let his anger turn into bitterness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we call ourselves God’s people, we are to reflect these qualities in our relationships with one another. In fact this is a request in The Lord’s Prayer: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            We ought to be known as people who are forgiving, having a charitable spirit in all our relationships. It is inconsistent with our calling to be argumentative and explosive, resentful and complaining.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now Paul is not saying that we should be long-suffering because we’re prepared to put up with anything. In verse 15 he says: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Being long-suffering doesn’t mean that there is no place for admonishment or exhortation. We are called to be non-judgmental. The quality we are to adopt is the spirit of love: love for God and love for one another: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           lead a life worthy of your calling.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Unity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (4:4-6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How easy it is in life, even when we are at church, to forget the mighty plan of the triune God – namely to draw together his people from throughout time and from all nations. Just as God is one, so his people are one, united through the work of the Spirit. As Jesus indicated to Nicodemus (John 3), it is the Spirit who gives us new birth and who awakens us to the binding power of the one eternal hope the Lord Jesus Christ holds out to us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, there is 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            The 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           one faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           one baptism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            are linked with 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           one Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            because the Lord Christ Jesus is the object of our shared faith. We are not governed by a heavenly Committee but by a person – the exciting, awesome and powerful figure, Jesus Christ. He is the Lord who unites us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul lifts our gaze and our wonder to God the Father when he says there is 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (4:6). In his 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Delighting in the Trinity
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Michael Reeves says, ‘It is only when we see that God rules his creation as a kind and loving Father that we’ll be moved to delight in his providence’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, because from eternity the triune God exists in relationship and because God has made us in his image, we are made first and foremost for relationship with him and, in turn with one another. No wonder we long for deep and lasting, meaningful and true relationships. It’s an essential part of our DNA. The starting point is our relationship with God. Furthermore, as Paul has been explaining in chapters one through three, even though we have messed up and broken our relationship with God, such is his nature that he delights to love and give new life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Surely we will want to pray that God’s Spirit and God’s Word will enable us to begin to experience the riches and beauty of God’s love and so awaken us to a united love for him and for one another.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In a world where, deep down, people long for meaningful relationships, where we’re all encouraged to explore our self-identity, there remains proximity without community. How much more should we bear witness in our own relationships with one another as God’s people, especially in the church we attend, to our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ who brings us and binds us together.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tertullian, a 2nd century North African theologian and apologist wrote of the church of his time: ‘Look,’ they say, ‘how they (Christians) love one another’ (for they themselves, Romans, hate one another); ‘and how they (Christians) are ready to die for each other’ (for they themselves, Romans, are readier to kill each other).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             Almighty and everlasting God, you have given us your servants grace by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and by your divine power to worship you as One: we pray that you would keep us steadfast in this faith and evermore defend us from all adversities; through Christ our Lord. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-vital-community/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-vital-community/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Jul 2023 14:25:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-19-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-18-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-18-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-18-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Roots of Legalism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of Martin Luther’s many contributions concerns the Latin word incurvitas. This sounds like something a dentist might say to you as he pokes and prods in the molars. But it’s not. It means “turned inward.” It means that we are naturally selfish, self-centered, and self-absorbed. While all of those are damning enough, this condition of incurvitas has an even more telling effect. Because we are turned inward, we think we can achieve righteousness entirely on our own. So we strive, white-knuckling it, to achieve a right standing before God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How many times have you heard someone say that as long as our good deeds outweigh our bad ones, God will welcome us open arms? How many religious systems are built upon works? How many people feel trapped by their incessant failed attempts to achieve perfection? Those are all cases of incurvitas. It’s an epidemic.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Understanding this concept of incurvitas so well, Luther said, “It’s very hard for a man to believe that God is gracious to him. The human heart can’t grasp this.” If we don’t look to grace, we look to ourselves and to our own efforts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Therein lie the roots of legalism.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The roots of legalism are in the sinful and fallen human heart itself. The heart manifests its sinful condition in our crippling desire to lean on our own merits and our own abilities in the attempt to somehow climb out of the miry pit of sin and reach all the way to heaven. We find grace to be far too bitter of a pill. It tells us we can never be good enough.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Curiously enough, the opposite of legalism also stumbles over grace. The opposite of legalism is antinomianism. This word includes the Greek prefix anti-, “against, in place of,” and the Greek word nomos, “law.” Theologically speaking, antinomians run away from any obligation to law or to any divine command. Antinomians are like James Bond: they have a license to sin. But that is the sad lie of antinomianism. It’s not liberty—it’s license.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The solution to legalism is not antinomianism. The solution to antinomianism is not legalism. The solution to both is grace, that thing Luther told us was hard to grasp. Exploring the roots of legalism further will serve not only to expose it, but also to display the brilliant and stunning contours of its solution, the grace of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Legalism in Scripture
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The clearest expression of legalism in Scripture comes in the stories of the antagonists in the Gospels, the Pharisees. In fact, thanks to them, we have the term pharisaical, defined as “hypocritical censorious self-righteousness.” Not one of those three things is a good thing. Taken together, we get a really bad thing. Another definition informs us that the term pharisaical means an extreme commitment to religious observance and ritual—apart from belief. Both aspects of the definition are crucial. The first is the striving and white-knuckling it to heaven. The second part takes us back to Luther’s quote and our aversion to grace—it just can't be as simple as belief.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ confronted this tendency to be pharisaical on about every page in the Gospels. One such place is the parable concerning the Pharisee and the tax collector in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%2018/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . “I thank you that I am not like other men,” the Pharisee prays. There is the self-righteousness. The Pharisee further protests that he fasts and tithes. There is the external obedience.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In this parable, the Pharisee is contrasted with the tax collector. The tax collector simply prays, “Be merciful to me, a sinner!” There is the cry for grace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A few verses later, the rich ruler comes to Christ. He too plays the part of a Pharisee. He too protests his self-righteousness. It seems that everywhere Christ goes, He meets Pharisees.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The opposite of legalism is not license. It is liberty. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ironically, the Pharisees, though they thought otherwise, were not truly concerned with the law of God. They actually set up a whole system of regulations to enable them to get around God’s law. They were experts at setting up loopholes. They had a man-made system of law to avoid the divine law. And they led Israel astray. Hence, we see why Jesus so vehemently opposed them and called them the false shepherds of Israel, as in the series of “woes” unleashed in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matthew%2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Before his conversion, Paul was one such false shepherd. Paul was the consummate legalist. In fact, you would be hardpressed to find another person so zealous for the law. He had firsthand knowledge when he declared, “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%203%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 3:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He had firsthand knowledge when he lamented, “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gal.%203%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal. 3:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul also had firsthand experience with grace. So he joyfully declared, “God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gal.%204%3A4%E2%80%935/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal. 4:4–5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It is impossible to study Paul without coming into contact with grace. So we read in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Romans%205/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            that all our striving comes to an end in Christ. We can only attain peace with God by faith in Christ—the only one who kept the law perfectly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Legalism in History
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we turn to the pages of church history, we see the church’s focus on grace eclipsed by legalism. This happened on a grand scale after the controversy between Augustine and Pelagius. In the aftermath of that controversy, the seeds were sown that would eventually result in a full-blown system of works as the medieval church's view of salvation. A key here is the shift from the biblical teaching on repentance to the church's teaching of penance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Repentance is illustrated by the tax collector in Christ's parable. The repentant one simply prays to God, “Have mercy; I’m a sinner.” Penance is the list of things to do that will put you right with God. By Luther’s time, the list had grown rather long. So, Luther vainly tried to reach God by being a good monk. Luther even went into the monastery as a sorely misguided attempt to please God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Only one thing resulted from Luther’s ardent work: he found himself even further away from God and mired in anxiety. Later in life, he even suffered physically from his earlier attempt to attain righteousness by these efforts. But in His grace, God reached down to Luther. We can't grasp grace naturally. That’s why grace grasps us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One branch of the Reformation initially celebrated this glorious truth of grace and then departed from it. In Zurich, there arose the Anabaptists. In addition to their other beliefs, they advocated withdrawing from society and living in segregated communities. They would soon develop a dress code and rules for how they would live and work. They called themselves the Mennonites, as they followed the teachings of Menno Simons (1496–1561). In 1693, Jakob Ammann broke from the Mennonites over the practice of “the ban”—shunning those who transgress rules. His followers would be known as the Amish. They went beyond the gospel to regulations and traditions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The same dynamic occurred in the twentieth century in various pockets of fundamentalism. I remember walking into a church in the 1970s and being confronted with two large diagrams showing acceptable hair and clothing guidelines for men and for women. Christianity was reduced to lists, mostly of what not to do.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Christ confronted legalism on nearly every page of the Gospels, you can find legalism throughout the pages of church history. So, too, you can find the opposite. Antinomianism thrived during the Reformation. It also thrived and continues to thrive amid pockets of fundamentalism. Sadly, we can tell the whole story of mankind’s misguided quest for God by tracing these ever-present threads of legalism and antinomianism.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Legalism in Life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The opposite of legalism is not license. It is liberty. Luther called Galatians his “Katie.” “I am betrothed to it,” he would say. That is a compliment that goes two ways. It reflects how deeply he loved his wife, and it reflects how deeply he loved the message of Galatians. It is the “Epistle of Liberty.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In our attempt to uncover the roots of legalism, we must look ultimately at our own lives. Incurvitas keeps us from seeing our true need. It tricks us into thinking we are basically good and only need to be better. Legalism is truly damning and rather damaging. Legalism can even catapult us to its opposite, to a life of license and a life, ultimately, of rebellion.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The reality is that we are not good. How ironic that part of the “good news” of the gospel is that we are not good at all. And because we are not good, we could never look to ourselves but must look to the One born of a woman, born under the law. He is the only righteous One. He kept the law and bore its punishment for those who trust in Him. God pours out His grace freely upon us because of what Christ has done for us. Christ has set us free (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gal.%205%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal. 5:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/roots-legalism" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/roots-legalism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 18 Jul 2023 14:36:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-18-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-17-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-17-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-17-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Know Your Election
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/1%20Thessalonians%201:4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Thessalonians 1:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many persons want to know their election before they look to Christ, but that is not possible; it is only to be discovered by “looking to Jesus.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/HEB.12.2.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 12:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) If you desire to ascertain your own election, after the following manner shall you assure your heart before God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you feel yourself to be a lost, guilty sinner? Go straight to the cross of Christ, and tell Jesus so, and tell Him that you have read in the Bible, “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.6.37.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 6:37
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) Tell Him that He has said, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” ( 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1TI.1.15.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Tim. 1:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) Look to Jesus and believe on Him, and you shall make proof of your election directly, for as surely as you believe, you are elect.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you will give yourself wholly up to Christ and trust Him, then you are one of God‘s chosen ones; but if you stop and say, “I want to know first whether I am elect,” you do not know what you are asking. Go to Jesus, just as you are, in all your guilt. Leave all curious inquiry about election alone. Go straight to Christ, and hide in His wounds, and you shall know your election. The assurance of the Holy Spirit shall be given to you, so that you shall be able to say, “I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/2TI.1.12.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Tim. 1:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ was at the everlasting council—He can tell you whether you were chosen or not; but you cannot find it out in any other way. Go and put your trust in Him, and His answer will be, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JER.31.3.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 31:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). There will be no doubt about His having chosen you when you have chosen Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sons we are through God’s election,﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          ﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Who in Jesus Christ believe.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/17/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/17/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Jul 2023 19:34:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-17-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-14-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-14-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-13-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Don't Defile True Doctrine
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you wield your tool on it you profane it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Exodus%2020:25/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Exodus 20:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labor might be seen upon it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more congenial to the depraved tastes of fallen nature; instead, however, of improving the Gospel carnal wisdom pollutes it, until it becomes another gospel and not the truth of God at all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All alterations and amendments of the Lord’s own Word are defilements and pollutions. The proud heart of man is very anxious to have a hand in the justification of the soul before God; preparations for Christ are dreamed of, humblings and repentings are trusted in, good works are put forth, natural ability is much vaunted, and by all means the attempt is made to lift up human tools upon the divine altar.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It would be best if sinners would remember that so far from perfecting the Savior’s work, their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonor it. The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a single mark of man’s chisel or hammer will be endured. There is an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus in His dying moments declared to be finished or to improve that in which the Lord Jehovah finds perfect satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with your tools, and fall upon your knees in humble supplication; accept the Lord Jesus to be the altar of your atonement, and rest in Him alone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many professors may take warning from this morning’s text as to the doctrines that they believe. There is among Christians far too much inclination to square and reconcile the truths of revelation. This is a form of irreverence and unbelief; let us strive against it and receive truth as we find it, rejoicing that the doctrines of the Word are unhewn stones, and so are all the more fit to build an altar for the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/14/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/14/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 14 Jul 2023 13:44:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-14-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-13-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-13-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-13-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Rose Among Thorns
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grace comes for every foolish, self-absorbed sinner, for every “Nabal,” and announces that there is one who has already taken it upon himself to shoulder all of our wrongdoing, paying the price for it through the sacrifice of himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Perhaps you’re familiar with the expression, “A rose between two thorns” or “A rose among thorns.” It’s a polite way of pointing out how someone who possesses either beauty or virtue, or both, is regrettably caught between two people who have neither. And you could very well say “a rose among thorns” is the best way to condense the sprawling narrative of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Samuel%2025/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Samuel 25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This chapter relays a truly riveting story. One of the key ingredients that makes it so intriguing is the high regard it gives to the female character of Abigail, who is, to a large degree, the story’s central figure. Flanking her, in terms of storytelling, are the characters of Nabal and David. You know David: he’s the soon-to-be king of Israel who finds himself on the run from the incumbent King Saul. This particular narrative occurs during the season in which David was a fugitive of his own throne. Nabal is Abigail’s husband and he is not at all an upstanding fella.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through the direct actions of Abigail, we are shown one of the most powerful truths in all of Scripture.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Instead, Nabal is described as a vicious and materialistic man. We learn more about his property before we learn anything about his person, which speaks volumes about his character. Nabal’s identity is seemingly wrapped up in his stuff and in his powerful position in society. And, as we’ll soon learn, that’s all he really cares about. Compare that introduction with Abigail’s: “The woman was discerning and beautiful” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). While the husband is obstinate and intense, the wife is insightful and understanding. While Nabal is introduced by what he had, Abigail is introduced for who she was, “discerning and beautiful.” She, indeed, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.academia.edu/14379457/Desperation_to_a_Desperado_Abigail_s_request_to_David_in_1_Samuel_25" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           as Edward Bridge writes
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “is set up to be the hero of the story and the master of the situation” (22–23). Through the direct actions of Abigail, we are shown one of the most powerful truths in all of Scripture.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With Saul still on the hunt and Samuel now deceased (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), David and his men trek further south, traversing the desert of Paran near the Sinai Peninsula, which happens to be where the vile businessman Nabal runs his shepherding operation. David learns that it was time for “sheep shearing,” so he dispatches ten of his men to deliver a message to Nabal requesting provisions to be rationed to him and his men (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A4%E2%80%938/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:4–8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Sheep shearing, in many parts of Judea, had become a spring festival, of sorts, accompanied by feasting, drinking, and partying. David’s inquiry, then, is merely for Nabal to supply his men with food and drink out of his own abundance. What he’s asking for isn’t out of turn either since, as his message suggests (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), they had taken it upon themselves to guard Nabal’s shepherds against unwanted intruders, allowing his pastoral enterprise to carry on without any infringement or interruption. David’s plea is for common decency to be shown to him and his men in return for safeguarding Nabal’s business ventures.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And this is when we get the first true glimpse at how nasty Nabal could be: “When David’s young men came, they said all this to Nabal in the name of David, and then they waited. And Nabal answered David’s servants, ‘Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?’” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A9%E2%80%9311/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:9–11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nabal’s response is the epitome of disrespect. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thy-Word-Truth-Barth-Scripture/dp/0802866743" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Karl Barth describes it
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           as “the speech of an unusually self-opinionated and standoffish and intolerably priggish bourgeois” (205). Not only does he outright deny David’s request, Nabal proceeds to insult him and his men in the process. He slanders his pedigree, implying that David could very well be just another runaway slave causing a ruckus in the region. This, of course, is an absurd notion since the whole of Israel was well aware that King Saul was in hot pursuit of “David son of Jesse.” Nabal’s words ooze with vileness and vindictiveness; with a willful ignorance that’s downstream of a bloated self-concern. All this does is get David riled up (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A12%E2%80%9313/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:12–13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). As soon as he hears the report of Nabal’s reply, he readies himself and his men for war. It is telling that David’s first impulse when his honor is impugned is to retaliate. There’s no mistaking what those four hundred men armed to the gills were going to do — it was going to be a massacre (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A21%E2%80%9322/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:21–22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). David was intent on settling this score how he saw fit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While all that bruhaha is going on, one of Nabal’s servants ducks out of the room and brings Abigail up to speed. We’re not told what inspired him to do so, but perhaps he knew that this situation was desperate for a more reasoned, rational response. Regardless, he tells her everything — how David had made a simple request and how Nabal had responded like a raving lunatic, for no apparent reason. “David sent messengers out of the wilderness to greet our master, and he railed at them,” reports the aid. “Yet the men were very good to us, and we suffered no harm, and we did not miss anything when we were in the fields, as long as we went with them. They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A14%E2%80%9316/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:14–16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This servant lays out all the facts and then suggests that Abigail “consider” a better course of action since her husband is “a worthless, no good louse” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Interestingly enough, Abigail doesn’t disagree with that assessment of her husband’s character. In fact, later on, she’ll employ the exact same language (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A25/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But after learning what’s been going on, and knowing that her husband has gotten himself into another sticky situation, she quickly springs into action, making arrangements for more than enough food to be delivered to David’s encampment (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A18%E2%80%9320/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:18–20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). While Nabal acted miserly, Abigail went “above and beyond.” She went out of her way, down to where David was, to shed some much-needed wisdom into an otherwise foolish episode. And this is when we get to the heart of the story. When Abigail is greeted by David and his men, she proceeds to deliver one of the most remarkable and resonant speeches ever recorded (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A23%E2%80%9331/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:23–31
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Abigail’s words are filled to the brim with pure grace. She makes no excuses for her husband’s actions. In fact, she uses a clever play on words to admit that Nabal has lived up to his name. The name “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5037/kjv/wlc/0-1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nabal
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ” literally means “fool.” Abigail, in effect, says to David that Nabal has “Nabaled” this whole thing by refusing to attend to the needs of his men, stoking retaliation. “Nabal is his name and folly is his game,” we might render her words. And even though she was unaware of it, Abigail assumes her husband’s foolish guilt as her own. “Blame me!” she says, going so far as to plead for David to forgive her for this offensive situation (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). She insists that the fault be given to her for the whole debacle. But on top of that, Abigail proceeds to remind David who he was. Whatever she knew, she knew that David was anointed by Samuel — and, therefore, by God — which meant that his life was “bound in the bundle of the living in the care of the Lord.” She was in the presence of the Lord’s anointed. Although David knew that, his impulse to retaliate says otherwise. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The message of Abigail evidences uncanny wisdom and trust in the providence of God. She ascribes the fact that she’s talking to David at that moment not to fate but to the Lord’s divine ordination (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), reminding the future king of Israel that he need not brandish the sword of his own justice. Rather, he ought to trust in the provision and promise of God’s sovereign timing (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A30%E2%80%9331/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:30–31
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). These were, perhaps, the least likely words David expected from the wife of Nabal. As such, they resonate with David, so much so that he, likewise, sees her “chance encounter” as a gift of God’s providence. “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,” he declares, “Who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand!” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A32%E2%80%9333/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:32–33
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Abigail was the actor but God was the playwright. She wasn’t there by happenstance. It was the Lord who sent her to intervene, to prevent the “man after his own heart” from acting like a fool.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David was just as much at risk for acting like a “Nabal” as Nabal. David’s hand was on the hilt of his sword. He was ready to retaliate. God, however, interrupts his revenge tour by sending Abigail at “just the right time.” After David relents (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A34%E2%80%9335/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:34–35
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), Abigail returns home only to find her husband reveling in the decadence befitting a king (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A36/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:36
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He’s partying and carousing, completely oblivious to the fact that he owes his head to the quick-witted-ness of his wise wife. When she finally tells a hung-over Nabal what she did to save his neck the next morning, his reaction says it all: “When the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And about ten days later the Lord struck Nabal, and he died” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A37%E2%80%9338/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:37–38
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The good news is an announcement that comes at the exact right time. It’s the glad tidings of God’s gracious intervention for a world full of good-for-nothing sinners and “Nabals” like you and me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What’s the takeaway of this story? In one sense, we can understand these events through the eyes of David. It’s no accident that this story of “almost retaliation” is sandwiched between two accounts of sheer mercy. In chapters 24 and 26, though given the prime opportunity to execute revenge on his sworn enemy, King Saul, David spares him, making his course of action throughout chapter 25 so obviously reckless. The promised king of Israel is, then, sufficiently humanized and humiliated, shown to be susceptible to all the faults and failures and foibles of every other sinner. What’s more, though, this story is also a beautiful reminder of how God’s grace sometimes looks like “restraint” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2025%3A26%2C%2033%E2%80%9334%2C%2039/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 25:26, 33–34, 39
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). There are times when the Lord mercifully prevents us from doing something we’re intent on doing, and this is grace, too. But, in a truer sense, since this narrative hinges on the words and actions of Abigail, she deserves the utmost attention. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Abigail’s wisdom and grace are a marvel to behold, like a rose among thorns, you might say. She responds to her husband’s foolish railing and to David’s foolish haste with a word of substitution. She takes her husband’s guilt as her own, securing his pardon by putting her own life on the line in order to make things right, in order to bring about reconciliation. In this story, wrath, justified though it may be, is disarmed by a word of intervening grace that comes at “just the right time,” which is exactly how it works in the gospel, too. “For while we were still weak,” Paul says, “at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%205%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 5:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , emphasis added). “When the right time came,” he continues elsewhere, “God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gal.%204%3A4%E2%80%935/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal. 4:4–5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           NLT). The good news is an announcement that comes at the exact right time. It’s the glad tidings of God’s gracious intervention for a world full of good-for-nothing sinners and “Nabals” like you and me through the incarnation of his Son who takes all our foolish guilt and sin as his own.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus is the true and better Abigail who comes into a realm full of foolish, selfish sinners and assumes the blame for something he did not do. God in Christ says, in effect, the same thing that Abigail says: “Blame me. The fault is mine.” And even though he “knew no sin,” he willingly becomes sin for us “so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor.%205%3A21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 5:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Grace comes for every foolish, self-absorbed sinner, for every “Nabal,” and announces that there is one who has already taken it upon himself to shoulder all of our wrongdoing, paying the price for it through the sacrifice of himself. This is what the Christ of God has done for you. He pleads your case before the Father and buys your forgiveness with his own blood. Jesus, then, is the ultimate “rose among thorns,” the “rose of Sharon” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Song%202%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Song 2:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) that blooms in this world of “thorns and thistles” in order to demonstrate God’s redemptive resolve.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/a-rose-among-thorns" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/a-rose-among-thorns
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:16:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-13-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-12-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-12-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-12-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Summer Growth: Beyond imagination...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How can we weather the challenges of our changing and uncertain world?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come with me to Ephesians chapter 3, verses 14 through 21 where we find one of the great prayers of the Bible. The curtain over Paul the Apostle is drawn aside and we are given a glimpse of him at prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I kneel before the Father,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            he begins, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Genesis chapter 1 tells us that God created us in his image and it is therefore true to say that all humanity has its fatherhood or parentage in God. However, as the Bible unfolds, we see that there is a very special relationship between God and those who are personally drawn to him. Paul is echoing what Jesus taught his disciples: we can call God, ‘Father’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This really is an extraordinary privilege – to be able to call God ‘Father’. In fact, when we think about it, there is no higher honor that God could give us, for it means we stand in a very special relationship with him as his adopted sons and daughters. This awesome truth stands at the head of Paul’s prayer. And he prays that we might experience this awareness in our lives, so we can relax and enjoy the amazing privilege of being God’s special people at every twist and turn in life. Three themes stand out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Inner strength
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The work of the Spirit goes to the heart of our being. Despite what cosmetologists and exercise gurus want us to think, the truth is that our physical bodies are wasting away. The time will come, when as far as our physical body is concerned, there is little hope for the future. But Paul wants us to understand that it’s not all downhill.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If God is at work in our lives, changes for the better to our
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           inner being
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            can occur. It’s here we see the counter-cultural way God works as opposed to the way that the world 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           expects
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            him to work. The world expects God to work with great displays of power. Tempted to think this way too, we might say that God’s power is to be expressed in self-confidence, self-assertion, success. And when it comes to churches, it is thought that God’s power will be seen in high-powered church growth and in dramatic answers to prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But God has a different plan. For the present he chooses to work in secret, changing us from the inside out, not the outside in. It’s an important distinction most of us miss. Paul is praying that the Holy Spirit will strengthen us at the very root of our character and our lives. He prays that God’s Spirit will so work in our lives and so teach us that we will be strengthened in our appetite for God and our love and loyalty to Jesus. He wants us to focus our hope on Christ, to drop sinful habits and develop a new framework for living.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul says that he wants to see the whole of our inner life affected by the Spirit — our hearts and affections, our will, our minds and decisions. It’s radical and it’s painful. Once the Holy Spirit starts to work in our lives, begins to probe, to question, to challenge, to discipline and to develop us, it hurts. For when he takes the Word of God and reaches to the very depth of our being, the Word becomes like a scalpel in his hands.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Transformation. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (3:17).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is the only place in the whole of the Bible that speaks about Christ 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           dwelling in our hearts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dwell
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           means ‘settle down’, or ‘putting down roots’. Mixing his metaphors Paul prays that we will be well-rooted trees withstanding droughts, and well-built houses that can withstand hurricanes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There will be many things in us with which Jesus Christ will not be comfortable. Repairs and renovation are needed in our lives. And anyone who has done house renovation and repairs knows it takes longer and costs more than originally expected.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Knowing that this kind of life-changing transformation is what God wants and knowing that it requires God’s power in our lives, Paul prays that God will do what is necessary to make our lives a fit home for his Son.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ’s Love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length, and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that passes knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (3:18-19).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With imagery that awakens us to the complexity and profundity of God’s love – 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the breadth and length, and height and depth
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            – Paul prays that we will know 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the love of Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            He wants us not only to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           know
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            but also 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           experience
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            God’s love so that we may be able to say, and really know it and feel it in our hearts, ‘the Son of God gave himself for me.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This genuine experience of Christ rarely comes to anyone who is not spending time in the Scriptures – for example, meditating on Ephesians chapter 1 through chapter 2, verse 10. The kind of mind-shift we need to prompt us to do this usually requires large explosive power. Sometimes God give us a wake-up call through hardship, bereavement or tragedy. Sometimes it’s not until we see material possessions for what they are, baubles and trinkets, that we begin to comprehend the reality of God’s love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, it’s only when God’s power is at work in our lives that we will begin to see what it meant for God to get into our skin and enter our world, what it cost for him to suffer and die in our place. I pray, says Paul, that with all of God’s people you experience the power of God’s love in your hearts, and knowing that experience, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the fullness
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            of joy with the transcendent Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Beyond Imagination.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (3:20-21).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul’s words here startle and encourage us. Our thoughts and imaginations are lifted beyond time and space to the Lord himself. Significantly, the focus of God’s powerful work is amongst and through his people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Too often we forget God’s awesome cosmic purposes; we focus too much on ourselves. Maybe we are content to swim in the shallows of faith rather than in the deep, clear waters of God’s love. For in his love God has far greater expectations for us than we can even begin to imagine.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             Almighty God, who taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit: so enable us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things and always to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-beyond-imagination/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-beyond-imagination/
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Jul 2023 15:30:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-12-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-11-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-11-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-11-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul: A Servant of Jesus Christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When I look back over forty years of teaching, I sometimes think I must be the most inarticulate writer and speaker in the history of the world. I wonder about that when I read interpretations of my teaching from the pens of other people, particularly from those who are hostile to what I declare. Frequently the distortions are so great that I cannot recognize my own position in the criticism. It may be helpful in trying to interpret mine or any other teacher’s declarations by looking at their geographical backgrounds. I grew up in the city of Pittsburgh, in a blue-collar environment, yet in a white-collar home, and so one can see that the perspective I have on life will differ from those people who grew up in southern California or Alabama. Nevertheless, to interpret my teachings simply on the basis of my Pittsburgh background would be utter nonsense. My perspective is not identical to every person who ever grew up in Pittsburgh. In like manner, one could examine my educational background and look at the viewpoints of my main mentors. As a student of G.C. Berkouwer in the Netherlands, one can certainly see dimensions of influence on my thought from that theologian. But to identify my general approach in theology to Berkouwer’s would be to distort my own views. It would even be incorrect to identify my theology totally with that of my main mentor, the late John H. Gerstner. The reason for this is that I have had many mentors in addition to those I’ve already mentioned, and also, through my own studies of the Bible and of church history, I have developed some positions that one cannot find in these other people. Still, it may be valuable from time to time to examine the background and education of theologians to get a deeper understanding of their teachings. Such investigation indeed may be beneficial while at the same time perilous.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I mentioned my own experience simply to call attention to a much greater issue, one that far transcends how people interpret or misinterpret me, namely, how we go about seeking a correct understanding of the biblical writers in general and for the benefit of this issue of Tabletalk, the teaching of the Apostle Paul in particular. In the New Testament, Paul himself indicates in one of his defenses that he was from Tarsus, which he describes as no mean city. Tarsus was a city that was cosmopolitan in antiquity, and, as a melting pot, it became a place where the exchange of many diverse ideas com-monly took place. That Paul was exposed to views that arose beyond the borders of his own home town is something we can take virtually for granted. Paul goes on to cite his background as a student at the feet of the renowned rabbi Gamaliel. It is without doubt that Paul’s thinking was shaped to some degree by his great mentor Gamaliel. We know that Paul was immersed academically in the content of the Old Testament as well as in the writings of the rabbinic scholars of his day. But to interpret Paul solely on the grounds of the teachings of the rabbinic scholars of antiquity would be to negate critical factors of influence in the development of Paul’s thought.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To interpret Paul solely on the grounds of the teachings of the rabbinic scholars of antiquity would be to negate critical factors of influence in the development of Paul’s thought.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In our day, two very significant movements have occurred in biblical scholarship that have brought with it deleterious effects on biblical doctrine. The first such development is what is called “atomistic” exegesis or interpretation. This approach to the Scriptures sees the individual books and individual passages of those books, the “atom bits of teaching,” as ideas that must be interpreted only in their immediate contexts and not in the context of the whole scope of Scripture, or even of the whole scope of a particular writer’s expressions. For example, one scholar may say he will interpret Paul’s teaching of justification as set forth in Ephesians without any consideration of what Paul said of the doctrine in Galatians or in Romans. Each passage is treated as an atom of insight, and whether that atom coheres with bits of teaching found elsewhere in the author’s writing or in the whole of Scripture is irrelevant. The Reformation rule of interpreting the Bible—that the Bible is its own interpreter and that we are not to set one portion of Scripture against another—is thrown to the winds in this approach. Indeed, even among professing evangelicals, to insist on coherency in the Word of God is to offend them. They have bought into the notion of relativism, that even the Bible, as the inspired Word of God, can at times be contradictory and incoherent, because coherency and consistency are virtues that theologians impose upon our doctrine of God and are not to be found in the Scriptures themselves. This approach to biblical interpretation and to the doctrine of God is utterly fatal.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But beyond the epidemic influence of atomistic exegesis is the current vogue of interpreting New Testament writers in terms of rabbinic Judaism, particularly with respect to Paul. Since Paul himself was an expert in rabbinic thought, the conclusion is reached (by a gratuitous leap) that all Paul’s teaching can be made clear by looking at the background of rabbinic teaching that formed Paul’s perspective. Indeed, even the so-called “new perspective” on Paul involves an attempt to reconstruct the old perspective that Paul himself brought to the doctrines of the New Testament, which perspective was basically shaped by rabbinic views.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This approach to Pauline interpretation involves two crucial errors. The first is that it assumes no room for the supreme influence on Paul of his right theological expressions, namely, the superintendence of the Holy Ghost, while the Apostle, acting as an agent of revelation, set forth his doctrine. Equally important is the ignoring of the radical transformation that occurred to Paul by his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul himself claims Jesus as the supreme influence in shaping his thought, not Gamaliel or the rabbinic scholars of antiquity. We notice that when Paul writes his letters, he does not identify himself by saying, “Paul, a bond servant or slave of Gamaliel.” No, he says, “Paul, a bond slave of Jesus Christ.” It is the teaching of Christ, who revealed His perspective and His own mind to Paul, that stands as the supreme foundation for Pauline theology. To ignore that is to assume no real conversion, no real changing of Paul’s mind, no real transformation of Paul’s thinking. To gain insight into Paul, it may help to study his background, but when we look at that background as a control for Paul’s expression, we fall into the trap of the worst kind of deconstruction.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/paul-servant-jesus-christ" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/paul-servant-jesus-christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:50:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-11-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-10-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-10-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-10-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Citizens of Heaven
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fellow citizens with the saints.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Ephesians%202:19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians 2:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is meant by our being citizens in heaven? It means that we are under heaven’s government. Christ, the King of Heaven, reigns in our hearts; our daily prayer is, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.6.10.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt 6:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) The proclamations issued from the throne of glory are freely received by us: The decrees of the Great King we cheerfully obey.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then as citizens of the New Jerusalem, we share heaven’s honors. The glory that belongs to beatified saints belongs to us, for we are already sons of God, already princes of the blood imperial; already we wear the spotless robe of Jesus’ righteousness; already we have angels for our servants, saints for our companions, Christ for our Brother, God for our Father, and a crown of immortality for our reward. We share the honors of citizenship, for we have come to the general assembly and the Church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As citizens, we have common rights to all the property of heaven. Ours are its gates of pearl and walls of chrysolite, ours the azure light of the city that needs no candle nor light of the sun, ours the river of the water of life and the twelve kinds of fruit that grow on the trees planted on its banks; there is nothing in heaven that does not belong to us. “The present or the future” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1CO.3.22.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor 3:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) —all is ours.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Also as citizens of heaven we enjoy its delights. Do they rejoice in heaven over sinners that repent-prodigals who have returned? So do we. Do they chant the glories of triumphant grace? We do the same. Do they cast their crowns at Jesus’ feet? Such honors we have we cast there too. Are they charmed with His smile? It is just as sweet to us who live below. Do they look forward, waiting for His second advent? We also look and long for His appearing. If, then, we are citizens of heaven, let our walk and actions be consistent with our high dignity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/10/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/10/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Jul 2023 14:11:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-10-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-7-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-7-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-7-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remember your Pastor
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brothers, pray for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/1%20Thessalonians%205:25/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Thessalonians 5:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This one morning in the year we reserved to remind each reader of the importance of praying for ministers, and we earnestly implore every Christian household to heed this request first uttered by Paul and now repeated by us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brothers, our work is solemnly momentous, involving good or ill to thousands; we deal with souls for God on eternal business, and our word is either a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. A very heavy responsibility rests upon us, and it will be no small mercy if at the last we be found clear of the blood of all men. As officers in Christ’s army, we are the special target of the hostility of men and devils; they watch for our faltering and work to trip us at the heels.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our sacred calling involves us in temptations from which you are exempt; above all it too often draws us away from our personal enjoyment of truth into a ministerial and official consideration of it. We meet with many difficult cases, and our wits are at a quandary; we observe very sad backslidings, and our hearts are wounded; we see millions perishing, and our spirits sink. We wish to encourage you by our preaching; we desire to be a blessing to your children; we long to be useful both to saints and sinners.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Therefore, dear friends, intercede for us with our God. We are miserable men if we miss the help of your prayers, but happy are we if we live in your supplications. You do not look to us but to our Master for spiritual blessings, and yet how many times has He given those blessings through His ministers; ask then, again and again, that we may be the earthen vessels into which the Lord may put the treasure of the Gospel. We, the whole company of missionaries, ministers, and students, do in the name of Jesus beseech you: “Brothers, pray for us.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/07/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/07/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 07 Jul 2023 13:33:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-7-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-6-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-6-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-6-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fields of Gold
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Luther said, “Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection not in books alone, but in every leaf of spring.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fields of gold as far as the eye can see.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That’s the first thing my brother and I noticed last month after renting a car in Frankfurt and hopping on the autobahn. Fields of gold as far as the eye can see. Germany has many wonderful things to offer travelers, such as gardens, palaces, castles, and cathedrals. But on this particular week in late spring, it turned out to be millions and millions of yellow flowers. (They are harvested and used in the making of canola oil). Everyone told us that we came at the perfect time, and after one drive through the German countryside, we heartily agreed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were there to see relatives and to tour the Luther Lands, areas which had been closed off to us in previous years. My family and I had lived in Northern Germany in the late 70’s when East Germany was still verboten for Western visitors. Since we were unable to see where Martin Luther lived back then, we were very much looking forward to finally visiting these historic sites of the Reformation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were able to stay several days in Luther’s hometown, Wittenberg, and it definitely did not disappoint. Later we were also able to visit Erfurt, Eisenach, and the Wartburg Castle. There is so much to see and learn.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            500 years later, these sites help reveal Luther’s impact and influence not just in the church and but also within politics, business, economics, philosophy, language, education, and technology, Yet at the center of the Reformation was Luther’s rediscovery of the gospel - the good news message that we are saved by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Justification by grace through faith, the doctrine upon which the church stands or falls, still forms and informs what we believe today, just as it did the early church and just as it did for Luther.   
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As pastors, my brother and I were of course engrossed and engaged by the history and theology, but what really entranced and enchanted us on this trip was the natural beauty of the landscapes and the countryside that surrounded us. It reminded us that, while a cross and heart are at the center of Luther’s Seal, they are set in the midst of a white rose, and encircled by a golden ring. A sign and symbol of the new creation. A brief yet beautiful glimpse of eternity. As Luther said, “Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection not in books alone, but in every leaf of spring.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fields of gold as far as the eye can see.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%202%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 2:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/fields-of-gold" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/fields-of-gold
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 06 Jul 2023 14:36:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-6-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-5-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-5-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-5-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Summer Growth – Created Equal…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Fourth of July celebrations yesterday bring to mind the words of the Declaration of Independence: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Interestingly, Yuval Noah Harari, an Israeli historian and philosopher, observes in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sapiens: A brief History of Humankind
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (2015: p.109), that the equality of humanity is not self-evident: ‘The Americans got the idea of equality from Christianity which argues that every person has a divinely created soul, and that all souls are equal before God. However, if we do not believe in the Christian myths about God, creation and souls, what does it mean that all people are “equal”?’, he asks. According to Harari who writes as an atheist, ‘Homo Sapiens has no natural rights, just as spiders, hyenas, and chimpanzees have no natural rights’ (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sapiens,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            p.111).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Harari rightly observes that Christianity teaches that all men and women are equal before God. We often forget that the opening chapter of the Bible describes humanity as being created in the image of God – the climax and glory of God’s creation. And as we read on into the New Testament, we find that Matthew includes non-Israelite women in Jesus’ human bloodline: Rahab, the Canaanite prostitute and Ruth, the Moabitess. Both came to trust Israel’s God (Matthew 1:5).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, Luke, in his 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts of the Apostles
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , records a meeting between Philip and an official from the court of Queen Candace of Ethiopia – ancient Cush, the region south of modern Egypt, into Sudan (8:26-38). While the Bible doesn’t refer to skin color (and so doesn’t note that the official from ancient Ethiopia would have been black), it is vitally interested in our relationship with God. In this instance, Luke tells us that the man responded to Philip’s gospel presentation and was baptized.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Significantly, recent researchers such as Vince Bantu (in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Multitude of All Peoples: Engaging Ancient Christianity’s Global Identity
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) record the strength and vitality of African churches from the very earliest years. Why did this happen – especially given the antipathetic attitude towards Christianity’s founder amongst the Jewish leaders? We find an important clue in chapter 3 of Paul’s 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Letter to the Ephesians
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            where he writes of the revelation of God’s 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           mystery.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mystery revealed
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Paul uses the word mystery, not as secrets that are only revealed to the top level ‘insiders’, but rather to refer to God’s plan that had been hidden in the past but is now openly revealed to everyone. He says it has to do with Christ who has opened the way for the non-Jewish world to enjoy full and equal benefits of all God’s promises (3:4, 6). This is radical. He is saying that a unique relationship between men and women and God’s Messiah is now available, and that this relationship removes the barriers and hostility between all peoples, no matter their skin color or race and includes Jewish and non-Jewish peoples.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through the years the Jewish people had understood that God would bless the nations through them – as he had promised Abraham (Genesis 12:3); they also knew Isaiah had said that Israel would be a light to the nations (Isaiah 49:6). But there is no hint, either in the Old Testament or in Jesus’ teaching that God planned to involve the non-Jewish peoples of the world as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           equal
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            beneficiaries in a new international community he is building – a community whose head would be the Jewish Messiah, Christ Jesus.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mystery proclaimed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            In verse 7 Paul writes: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saying he is 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the very least of all the saints
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Paul speaks as one of God’s emissaries in announcing 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the boundless riches of Christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            to the non-Jewish world (3:8). The 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           boundless
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , unsearchable, inexhaustible, incalculable 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           riches
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            of which he speaks is one of the most profound ideas in the Bible. Paul wants us to know we shall never come to the end of the wealth of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An important theme permeates this as he brings together the ideas of revelation and commission: God’s truth is to be passed on! Just think: if we were sure that the gospel is God’s truth and the riches of Christ are for all men and women, not one of us would be able to keep quiet.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The story is told of a conversation between a prominent Russian communist leader and a Western church leader at the height of the cold war. The Christian was bemoaning the fact that the USSR was closed to Christianity. The Russian leader’s response was immediate: ‘You don’t know what you are talking about! We envy you. Look at the vast resources you have to get your message out: you have people.’ When the first Christians came to faith their lives were changed and they talked their faith – gossiped the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Light and Truth. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To make everyone see
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (enlighten) 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           what is the plan
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (administration) 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Paul continues (3:9).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Plan
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            or better, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           administration
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            refers to the implementation of God’s plan – which is revealed in Bible-believing and teaching churches. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (3:10)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The mystery of God was no abstract idea. Now revealed, it takes shape as men and women from all walks of life, from all cultural and racial backgrounds, are brought together as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           one people
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . It reveals the rich tapestry of God’s grace, power and wisdom. And as the story of this work of God continues to unfold, Paul tells us that there are supernatural watchers, the angelic world, spectators to the drama of God’s astonishing work.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Paul writes, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (3:11-13).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sadly, so many of us have lost sight of the wonder of God’s great cosmic plan. The very existence of healthy, vital churches growing across the nations of the world, reveals the global extent of Christianity and, when we think about it, the impact of the fundamental value that all men and women are created equal.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Lord Christ, eternal Word and Light of the Father’s glory: send your light and your truth so that we may both know and proclaim your word of life, to the glory of God the Father; for you now live and reign, God for all eternity.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Amen.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-created-equal/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-created-equal/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Jul 2023 12:38:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-5-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-4-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-4-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-4-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Power to Persevere
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eternal life means I have God’s supernatural grace within me that enables me to live the Christian life. His power strengthens me to run the race in a way that glorifies Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul said, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%204%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 4:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). God’s power indwells us in the person of the Holy Spirit, whom we received at our conversion. Our problem is that we so often fail to tap into His power that is always there. We are like the man who was pushing his car up a hill only to discover he merely needed to turn the key and ignite the powerful engine. How much better it is to turn on the power and enjoy the ride. So it is in the Christian life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Running is a demanding sport, draining every ounce of energy a person possesses. Running God’s race saps all our power. We soon become depleted mentally, emotionally, and physically. That is the nature of running. It is full of uphill climbs, obstacles to overcome, winds to endure, and the scorching sun that leaves us feeling empty.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At times, we grow so weary that we want to pull over and stop running. But the race of life demands that we keep moving forward. We cannot stop. There are no yellow caution flags to stop this race, no pit stops. Just the daily grind.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To run life’s race, we must have the power of God. In our weakness, God’s power is perfected. The very divine power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is available to us for living the Christian life. This supernatural strength energizes us to run life’s race. By His grace, we are raised to walk a new resurrection life in Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To run life’s race, we must have the power of God. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are like the man who went into a hardware store one Saturday morning to buy a saw. Seeing an easy mark, the salesman showed him a fancy chain saw. He commented that it was their best seller with the latest in technology, and guaranteed it to cut ten cords of firewood a day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The inexperienced customer was impressed with the sales hype and bought the chain saw on the spot.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Later that day, this same man returned to the store, chain saw in hand, looking somewhat haggard, exhausted, and exasperated. “Something is wrong with this saw,” he moaned. “I worked as hard as I could and only managed to cut three cords of wood. I could do four cords with my old-fashioned saw.” Looking confused, the salesman said, “Here, let me try it on some wood we keep out back.” They went to the woodpile, the salesman pulled the cord, and the motor roared to life.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The customer leaped back and exclaimed, “What is that noise?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We can be much like this exasperated customer, attempting to live the Christian life in our own strength. But we have God’s power within us, enabling us to do what is otherwise impossible. We have the power to resist temptation and love the unlovely. We have the power to rejoice in trials and overcome the world. We have the power to resist the devil and witness for Christ. We have the power to break old habits and live our new life in Christ. We have the power to run God’s race.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Editor’s Note: This excerpt is used by permission. Lawson, Steven J., In It to Win It (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1992, 2013).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/power-persevere" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/power-persevere
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Jul 2023 10:53:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-4-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 7-3-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-3-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-3-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A living Nightmare
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Genesis%2041:4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 41:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pharaoh’s dream has too often been my waking experience. My days of laziness have ruinously destroyed all that I had achieved in times of zealous endeavor; my seasons of coldness have frozen all the genial glow of my periods of fervency and enthusiasm; and my fits of worldliness have thrown me back from my advances in the divine life. I had need to beware of lean prayers, lean praises, lean duties, and lean experiences, for these will eat up the fat of my comfort and peace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If I neglect prayer for never so short a time, I lose all the spirituality to which I had attained; if I draw no fresh supplies from heaven, the old corn in my granary is soon consumed by the famine that rages in my soul. When the caterpillars of indifference, the worms of worldliness, and the snares of self-indulgence lay my heart completely desolate and make my soul languish, all my former fruitfulness and growth in grace avails me nothing whatever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How anxious should I be to have no lean-fleshed days, no ill-favored hours! If every day I journeyed toward the goal of my desires I would soon reach it, but backsliding leaves me still far from the prize of my high calling and robs me of the advances that I had so strenuously made.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The only way in which all my days can be like the fat cows is to feed them in the right meadow, to spend them with the Lord, in His service, in His company, in His fear, and in His way. Why should not every year be richer than the past, in love and usefulness and joy? I am nearer the celestial hills; I have had more experience of my Lord and should be more like Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           O Lord, keep far from me the curse of leanness of soul; let me not have to bemoan such leanness, but may I be well-fed and nourished in Your house, that I may praise Your name.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/03/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/07/03/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 Jul 2023 21:31:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-7-3-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-30-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-30-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-30-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ's Generosity
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The glory that you have given me I have given to them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%2017:22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 17:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Behold the superlative generosity of the Lord Jesus, for He has given us His all. Although a tithe of His possessions would have made a universe of angels, rich beyond all thought, yet He was not content until He had given us all that He had. It would have been surprising grace if He had allowed us to eat the crumbs of His abundance beneath the table of His mercy; but He will do nothing by half measures. He makes us sit with Him and share the feast.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If He had given us some small donation from His royal treasure, we would have had cause to love Him eternally; but in fact He wants His bride to be as rich as Himself, and He will not have a glory or a grace in which she will not share. He has not been content with less than making us joint-heirs with Himself, so that we might have equal possessions. He has emptied all His riches into the members of the church and has shared everything with His redeemed. There is not one room in His house the key of which He will keep from His people. He gives them complete freedom to take all that He has to enjoy as their own; He loves to see them enjoy His treasure and take as much as they can possibly carry.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The limitless fullness of His all-sufficiency is as free to the believer as the air he breathes. Christ has put the cup of His love and grace to the believer’s lip and invites him to drink of it forever; if he could empty it, he is welcome to do so, but as he cannot exhaust it, he is invited to drink abundantly, for it is all his own. What truer proof of fellowship can heaven or earth provide?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When I stand before the throne
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dressed in beauty not my own;
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           When I see Thee as Thou art,
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Love Thee with unsinning heart;
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then, Lord, shall I fully know—
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not till then—how much I owe. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/30/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/30/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:16:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-30-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-29-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-29-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-29-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pastoral Presence Makes All the Difference
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ Jesus brings his word and presence to where you are and he is even willing to do so through the likes of your personally present pastor.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In my mid-20s, my wife and I first encountered the Lutheran tradition. We had begun rubbing shoulders with Lutherans in Philadelphia. But now in England, we simply could not find a suitable church and, so, checked the British version of the Yellow Pages and found nearby Resurrection Lutheran Church at the Chapel of Saints Timothy and Titus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Unsure about these Lutherans who seemed so “Catholic,” I set out on reconnaissance one Sunday morning to ascertain just how “evangelical” the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England really was. The parish pastor kindly fielded a few questions and then encouraged me to “come and see.” And so we did. It was a strange, yet reverent and satisfying visit. God’s Word was preached in truth, the gospel was proclaimed to Christians as well as the unbeliever, and the liturgy was dignified, even though the congregation hardly amounted to twenty people. When the Divine Service was over, and to our surprise, we were invited to the Pastor’s house for a barbecue. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To be sure, we respected and honored the Office of Holy Ministry that the Pastor held, but we grew to love our Pastor and his family, having them over for meals and such, mostly because he cared; cared enough to call us at home, visit us in the hospital, stop by after a birth, and other such things. Our pastor was personally present. Pastoral care in the Lutheran tradition evidenced an incarnational dimension that extended outside the church, spilling into where we lived and worked, reminding us of the promises of Christ, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Heb.%2013%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 13:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and “I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%2028%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 28:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This care, along with the true preaching of the gospel and sacraments administered according to gospel, moved us into the tradition of Lutheranism in which we live, rear our children, and in which we will eventually die.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pastoral care includes the work entrusted by God to the Church to be exercised through its pastors and through those under their supervision (e.g., Deacons, Deaconesses, Elders, Vicars, etc.). In the Lutheran tradition, pastoral care is all about personally applying the benefits of Christ to those who desire them in faith, and doing so in the name of the Triune God. In our parochial experience, the only context in which we were accustomed to seeing this happen was during church. Lutheran pastors, we found, were equally comfortable presiding during the Eucharist at one’s bedside as at the Altar. In other words, visitation—being in the homes of believers in person—was seen to be an important dynamic of the pastor’s vocation; feeling just as at home in your home as in the House of the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now of course, this doesn’t mean that the pastor should help himself to the fridge, but it does mean that he should not have jitters about showing up at your door wearing a collar, ready to pray, preach, counsel, absolve, and commune with you and whoever else he finds in your home. The reason for this is the fact that all of us need a shepherd. The Good Shepherd has provided for us undershepherds — priestly pastors — in the midst of our sheep-lives. These undershepherds are most effective in their Christ-emulating vocation when personally present and personally involved in the lives of their parishioners.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Good Shepherd has provided for us undershepherds — priestly pastors — in the midst of our sheep-lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On a visit from your clerics, you should expect to pray, to hear the word of God’s promises and fulfillment in Christ, to be blessed and comforted in the holy name of Jesus. Because in the role the Lord has called each and every duly called and ritely ordained man, he possesses the privilege to stand in the stead and speak by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ the promises of God for you, whether in your kitchen, den, living room, bedroom, hospital room, dorm room, prison cell or rehabilitation center. The point is this: Christ Jesus brings his word and presence to where you are and he is even willing to do so through the likes of your personally present pastor.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you desire a visit, then let your request be known to your pastor: “Please bring Holy Communion”; “Let’s do Confession and Absolution”; “I need counsel from God’s Word.” It will be through the means of grace, augmented by the pastoral presence of one who represents Jesus in his person, that God will deal with you in mercy and goodness because of his love for you in Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The reason for visiting parishioners greatly varies. Pastors enter homes and hospitals to celebrate births, birthdays, mourn deaths, receive confession, hang out, hold hands, laugh, cry, commune, comfort, absolve, anoint, reconcile, mediate, moderate, bless and break bread. It does not matter the reason. Sometimes he just shows up to see if things are well with your soul and those whom you love most. Every visit should be esteemed a privilege for the pastor, an expression of confidence in one’s ministry. Each visit also yields opportunities for mutual edification. Not only will your faith likely grow, but your reception of the Word and the love and care ministered by the pastor will bolster his faith, too.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is there such a thing as a bad visit? Only if the pastor loses vision of the purpose of the visit and it becomes pointless or burdensome for the parishioner. By design, bad visits shouldn’t happen because the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are present and active in all gospel-proclaiming, Christ-representing visits, even when the occasion is misfortune, tragedy, or death. While representing Jesus Christ, the chief shepherd of the church, to those who are suffering, pastors themselves are profoundly reminded and comforted by our gracious Lord that he is present and that he cares, just as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Peter%205%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Peter 5:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            says: “Cast all of your cares upon him; for he cares for you.” My hope and prayer is that it is the same and more for you when your pastors visits.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           I recall one time being driven on a visit by Deaconess Doris Snashall. I was in a particularly salty mood: the long workday had gone poorly; I was far behind schedule, overburdened, doggedly-tired, hungry, hot and irritable. Not exactly the image of Christ. More like the pickle-puss pastor. Then the Deaconesses and I prayed together before reaching the door. My world stopped turning on the axis of my ego and the Holy Spirit had me quickly recognize that this visit wasn’t about me. It never is; it never should be. Rather, it was about the Lord ministering to a dear son or daughter of his, a child that he had made his own. I was a servant. It was time to serve. It was about concrete care being brought to someone in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The pastor will not come unannounced. At the same time, you don’t have to call in a cleaning crew or fire up the oven because pastor’s-a-comin’. Remember, our Lord Jesus has made us family to one another. Relax in your own home; it’s okay if there are dishes in the sink and you have a used couch. Likewise, kick back in the hospital bed: the pastor is there for you; he’s not there for the view or to sample the food.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Welcome a visit. Ask for a visit. Or, if the time is right, give a “yes” if your pastor asks to stop by for a visit. There will be blessings both for pastor and parishioner through Christ Jesus our Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/pastoral-presence-makes-all-the-difference" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/pastoral-presence-makes-all-the-difference
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Jun 2023 13:58:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-29-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-28-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-28-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-28-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Summer Growth: The Peace-Maker...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In an article, ‘Our politicians and media are letting us down’ in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Weekend Australian
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (June 17-18), Chris Kenny observes: ‘When we see the open deceit and toxicity of politics and the media in the Canberra bubble (Canberra is Australia’s DC), it is tempting to despair … We see persistent tension between truth and lies. We are informed about political systems we do not trust by media we do not believe.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He comments, ‘The depressing reality is that politics and media are manifestations of human nature, which is stubbornly flawed. Dante knew 700 years ago that the propensity to lie was our greatest flaw … More than 2000 years ago Aristotle warned that the only thing we “gain by falsehood” is to ensure we are not believed when we speak the truth. Yet in the here and now this same battle between truth and lies is the most important daily struggle.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A little less than 2000 years ago Paul the Apostle took the notion of our flawed human nature to another level. In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            chapter 2, he writes: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived,…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Our real problem.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In our natural state we are the walking dead in God’s eyes: our relationship with him is dead, non-existent. Our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           trespasses and sin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           s – our self-interest and lies, our pride, covetousness and deceit, are all illustrations of this.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, Paul identifies there is another layer behind our deeply flawed, self-interested nature when he says that in our natural state we follow 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are subject to oppressive influences – our flawed inner self, and from outside the prevailing secular culture. However, beyond both and actively working through both, is the ruler of the kingdom of darkness who holds us in captivity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All too often, even so-called gospel churches fail to understand the depth of the abyss into which humanity has plunged because we’ve all turned our backs on God. It is an abyss from which we can’t extract ourselves. Humanity’s problem is not that it has simply taken a by-path in life. Rather we have chosen the path that leads to death. ‘Is there any hope?’ we might ask.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mercy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            All of us are 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           by nature children of wrath,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           but
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God, who is rich in mercy,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            he continues (2:3, 4).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The contrast between verses 3 and 4 is astonishing. It is completely at odds with how 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is understood today. God’s just anger in condemning us is not incompatible with his love. The two can be held together. God can be truly just in judging sin and at the same time choose to forgive because his nature is always to have mercy – choosing to love and to give life. Indeed, his justice reveals the depth of his mercy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And consider what his mercy means for all who turn to him: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           …
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Out of the great love with which he loved us…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            he 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           made us alive together with Christ … and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (2:4, 5b, 6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Although we were dead to God because we had chosen to ignore him, he nevertheless chose to give us a 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           new
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            life 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           with
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Christ, raising us from death and giving us a seat beside Christ in his victory and rule because we are now tightly linked 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           in him
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            through his Spirit (1:13).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God has done this, Paul tells us, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (2:7). Out of God’s pure love he acted in rescuing the Ephesian Christians. He also planned that the overwhelming nature of his mercy he had shown would be seen in the ages to come.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Can all this be true?’,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            we might ask. Or is it another lie to promote the noise of the churches and to prop up the cripples of life? Two great themes in this passage provide an answer: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and the witness and evidence of the changed lives of genuine Christians throughout the ages (2:6, 7).
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In verses 8 and 9 Paul restates the extraordinary mercy and gift of God: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not the result of works, so that no one may boast.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Three foundation gospel words stand out – salvation, grace and faith. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Salvation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is more than forgiveness: it is the deliverance from death and the gift of new life in Christ in all its fullness. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           is God’s free and undeserved mercy towards us. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is our response of trust by which we each receive God’s free gift for ourselves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is no place for asking, ‘How much penance should I do?’ God’s gift of forgiveness and new life is full and free. It echoes Jesus’ words to the repentant criminal as he was dying on the cross: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Luke 23:43).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Good works. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (2:10)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are God’s work of art. Our salvation is God’s masterpiece in his creation. In the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s masterpiece, ‘The creation of Adam’ portrays God reaching out to Adam. Paul wants us to know that God’s masterpiece is of a totally different order: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           salvation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is not just creation, or re-creation. It is a new creation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, we are created in Christ Jesus for 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           good works
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            – good works that 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God prepared beforehand
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Before God in his mercy brought us to Christ we walked in trespasses and sins in which self-interest and the powers of evil had trapped us. Now we live out the good works God has eternally planned for us to do.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are many things happening around us today that are troubling. Our only hope is to be found in the depths of God’s mercy. Let me encourage you to reflect on these words of Paul and ask the Lord to awaken the riches of his love in you, stirring you to live out each day the good works he has prepared for you to do. When we do this, others will notice – especially if we wisely play a part in helping them to discern truth in the midst of the deceptions around us. Maybe then, they with us will come to know the hope and joy that only God, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, can give us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            .
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Almighty God, our heavenly Father, like lost sheep we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts and have broken your holy laws. Going our own way we have not loved you as we ought nor loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve your condemnation. Father, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, forgive us all that is past. Turn our hearts to love you and obey your will. Help us to live for your glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-the-peace-maker/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-the-peace-maker/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 Jun 2023 11:52:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-28-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-27-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-27-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-27-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Christ of the Old and the New
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We have all heard the ancient maxim abo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ut the relationship between the Old and New Testaments: “The new is in the old concealed, and the old is in the new revealed.” While the words concealed and revealed do not entirely accurately describe the relationship between the testaments, they do help us grasp the fundamental truth that the New Testament is found in seed form throughout the pages of the Old Testament and that the Old Testament blossoms forth as a flower in the New Testament.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nevertheless, the New Testament is called the “New Testament” for the simple reason that it is, in fact, new. It is new revelation, not merely commentary on previous revelation. It is not simply a collection of Apostolic reflections on the Old Testament from the first century. In real space and real time, in the history of God’s redemption of His people and by His superintendence of His appointed, sinful, human authors, God revealed to us His new testament, accompanying our long-awaited Messiah and His promised kingdom. However, it’s not as if the coming of the Christ and the continued revelation of God was a surprise to those who understood the Old Testament and, more importantly, the God of the Old Testament.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The common refrain of the New Testament, “according to the Scriptures,” is by no means to be taken lightly but is to drive us over and over again to behold the faithfulness of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On nearly every page of the New Testament, God sovereignly reminds us that everything He has done, is doing, and will do is in accordance with the Scriptures of the Old Testament. The common refrain of the New Testament, “according to the Scriptures,” is by no means to be taken lightly but is to drive us over and over again to behold the faithfulness of God, the trustworthiness of His revelation, and the beautiful harmony of the testaments as God shows forth His sovereignly woven scarlet thread of redemption from creation to glorification, all according to the covenant of redemption of our triune God. In each of the three portions of the Old Testament—the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings—the Lord majestically sets forth that which Jesus Himself set forth when He was with the two men on the road to Emmaus interpreting to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That doesn’t mean, however, that Jesus is hiding under every stone in the Old Testament, nor does it mean that we need to overturn every stone in our pursuit to find Him at the cost of sound exegesis. Nevertheless, it does mean that every stone points to Christ and beckons us to examine the manifold ways in which Christ is in the foreground and background of the landscape of every stone in all the Scriptures, by God’s sovereign orchestration and for our redemption in Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/christ-old-and-new" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/christ-old-and-new
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Jun 2023 14:44:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-27-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-26-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-26-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-26-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Examine Yourself
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You have become like us!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Isaiah%2014:10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 14:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What must be the apostate professor’s doom when his naked soul appears before God? How will he bear to hear that voice telling him that he is banished forever from His presence and that he will not be the recipient of mercy?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Depart from Me, you cursed; you have rejected knowledge, and I reject you.” What will be this wretch’s shame at the last great day when, before the assembled crowds, the apostate shall be unmasked? See the profane, and sinners who never professed faith, lifting themselves up from their beds of fire to point at him. “There he is,” says one; “will he preach the gospel in hell?” “There he is,” says another; “he rebuked me for cursing and was a hypocrite himself!” “Aha!” says another; “here comes a psalm-singing Methodist—one who was always at his meeting; he is the man who boasted of his being sure of everlasting life, and here he is!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No greater eagerness will ever be seen among satanic tormentors than in that day when devils drag the hypocrite’s soul down to perdition. Bunyan pictures this with massive but awful grandeur of poetry when he speaks of the back way to hell. Seven devils bound the wretch with nine cords and dragged him from the road to heaven, in which he had professed to walk, and thrust him through the back door into hell.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch out for that back way to hell, professors! “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/2CO.13.5.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Corinthians 13:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) Pay attention to your condition, and see whether you are in Christ or not. It is the easiest thing in the world to give high marks when grading your own paper. Be honest and fair. Be gracious to all, but be rigorous with yourself. Remember, if you are not building on the rock, your house will collapse. May the Lord give you sincerity, constancy, and firmness; and in no day, however evil, may you be led to turn aside.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/26/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/26/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 26 Jun 2023 11:27:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-26-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-23-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-23-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-23-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cooked Evenly
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephraim is a cake not turned.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Hosea%207:8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hosea 7:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A cake not turned is uncooked on one side; and so Ephraim was, in many respects, untouched by divine grace: Though there was partial obedience, there was too much rebellion left. My soul, I charge you to see whether this is true of you. Are you thorough in the things of God? Has grace gone to the very center of your being so that its divine operation is felt in all your powers, your actions, your words, and your thoughts? To be sanctified, spirit, soul, and body, should be your aim and prayer; and although sanctification might not be complete in you, still it must be at work in you. There must not be the appearance of holiness in one place and reigning sin in another; otherwise you will also be a cake not turned.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A cake not turned is soon burnt on the side nearest the fire, and although no man can have too much religion, there are some who seem burnt black with bigoted zeal for that part of truth that they overemphasize; others are charred to a cinder with a self-congratulatory pharisaic performance of those religious activities that suit their mood. The assumed appearance of superior sanctity frequently accompanies a total absence of all vital godliness, and the saint in public is a devil in private. He deals in flour by day and in soot by night. The cake that is burned on one side is dough on the other.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is true of me, Lord Jesus; turn me! Turn my unsanctified nature to the fire of Your love, and let it feel the sacred glow, and let my burnt side cool a little while I learn my own weakness and lack of heat when I am removed from Your heavenly flame. Let me not be a double-minded man, but one who is entirely under the powerful influence of reigning grace. I know only too well that if I am left like a cake unturned, and am not on both sides the subject of Your grace, I will be consumed forever in everlasting burnings.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/23/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/23/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 23 Jun 2023 13:57:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-23-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-22-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-22-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-22-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Departure to Celebrate
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Caesar boasted: “I came. I saw. I conquered.” Christ can rightly say: “I came. I saved. I ascended.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He’s ascended and what is his, will be ours. He’s ascended, and where he went, we too, are going. He’s ascended, and the doors of heaven have swung open for you, the gates of hell slammed shut. He’s ascended and heaven draws near. He’s ascended and he’s forever what for us he became. He’s ascended and we are not forgotten, for he who saved now rules. He’s ascended, yet he still sets hearts burning with Word and sacrament. He’s ascended, but he’s not gone, and never will be. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why didn’t the disciples weep, protest, fret, or pout when Jesus ascended? They did the last time he left them, when he gave up his spirit, was buried, and descended into hell. Why none of that now? St. Luke tells us: “Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%2024%3A51-53/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 24:51-53
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a strange departure! The only happy departures most of us ever know involve difficult people or awkward situations. Loved ones don’t like to leave or be left. But not the disciples. They rejoiced. What an odd response.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why this joy? Why this patient eagerness? Because they knew what it means when the Church confesses: “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” Caesar boasted: “I came. I saw. I conquered.” Christ can rightly say: “I came. I saved. I ascended.” Christ, who had befriended mankind in his incarnation, redeemed us in his crucifixion, and renewed us in his resurrection, would now ascend on high to guide us in his ascension. The disciples truly had a friend on high, and the Ascension was a reminder of all that had been fulfilled and was to come. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remember Joseph? His brothers, jealous of their father’s love for him, sold him into slavery. He was taken to Egypt for what seemed to be a cruel life of tiresome labor. But, with time, Joseph distinguished himself by his faithful work and wisdom. Famine struck, and it just so happened that Joseph had ascended to the right hand of the Pharaoh, with all of Pharaoh’s power and authority at his disposal. Hungry and desperate, Jacob sent Joseph’s brothers to Egypt to buy food. Joseph recognized them and, forgiving them, fed them with Egyptian food, and made them a home in his kingdom. So also, Christ, our Brother and the beloved Son of our heavenly Father, whom we sold into death, has been raised to the right hand of the Father and reigns with all of God’s power and authority at his disposal. He has forgiven us our wrongs and now feeds us, once hungry and desperate, with heavenly food. He makes for us an eternal home in his kingdom, in Paradise. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Departures are often sad, but this is no time for tears. This is a time for joy, for patient eagerness, for though Christ has left us, he is as close as ever. His ascension is not so much “goodbye” as “see you soon.” In the midst of this world’s fallen chaos and the upheaval of our daily lives, we can take a deep breath and reassure ourselves always: “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/a-departure-to-celebrate" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/a-departure-to-celebrate
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 22 Jun 2023 13:24:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-22-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-21-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-21-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-21-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Summer Growth: Mercy...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In an article, ‘Our politicians and media are letting us down’ in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Weekend Australian
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (June 17-18), Chris Kenny observes: ‘When we see the open deceit and toxicity of politics and the media in the Canberra bubble (Canberra is Australia’s DC), it is tempting to despair … We see persistent tension between truth and lies. We are informed about political systems we do not trust by media we do not believe.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He comments, ‘The depressing reality is that politics and media are manifestations of human nature, which is stubbornly flawed. Dante knew 700 years ago that the propensity to lie was our greatest flaw … More than 2000 years ago Aristotle warned that the only thing we “gain by falsehood” is to ensure we are not believed when we speak the truth. Yet in the here and now this same battle between truth and lies is the most important daily struggle.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A little less than 2000 years ago Paul the Apostle took the notion of our flawed human nature to another level. In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            chapter 2, he writes: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once lived,…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our real problem.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            In our natural state we are the walking dead in God’s eyes: our relationship with him is dead, non-existent. Our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           trespasses and sin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           s – our self-interest and lies, our pride, covetousness and deceit, are all illustrations of this.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, Paul identifies there is another layer behind our deeply flawed, self-interested nature when he says that in our natural state we follow 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are subject to oppressive influences – our flawed inner self, and from outside the prevailing secular culture. However, beyond both and actively working through both, is the ruler of the kingdom of darkness who holds us in captivity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All too often, even so-called gospel churches fail to understand the depth of the abyss into which humanity has plunged because we’ve all turned our backs on God. It is an abyss from which we can’t extract ourselves. Humanity’s problem is not that it has simply taken a by-path in life. Rather we have chosen the path that leads to death. ‘Is there any hope?’ we might ask.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mercy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . All of us are 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           by nature children of wrath,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           but
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God, who is rich in mercy,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            he continues (2:3, 4).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The contrast between verses 3 and 4 is astonishing. It is completely at odds with how 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is understood today. God’s just anger in condemning us is not incompatible with his love. The two can be held together. God can be truly just in judging sin and at the same time choose to forgive because his nature is always to have mercy – choosing to love and to give life. Indeed, his justice reveals the depth of his mercy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And consider what his mercy means for all who turn to him: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           …
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Out of the great love with which he loved us…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            he 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           made us alive together with Christ … and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (2:4, 5b, 6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Although we were dead to God because we had chosen to ignore him, he nevertheless chose to give us a 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           new
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           with
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , raising us from death and giving us a seat beside Christ in his victory and rule because we are now tightly linke
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           d 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           in him
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            through his Spirit (1:13).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God has done this, Paul tells us, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (2:7). Out of God’s pure love he acted in rescuing the Ephesian Christians. He also planned that the overwhelming nature of his mercy he had shown would be seen in the ages to come.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Can all this be true?’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , we might ask. Or is it another lie to promote the noise of the churches and to prop up the cripples of life? Two great themes in this passage provide an answer: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and the witness and evidence of the changed lives of genuine Christians throughout the ages (2:6, 7).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In verses 8 and 9 Paul restates the extraordinary mercy and gift of God: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not the result of works, so that no one may boast.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Three foundation gospel words stand out – salvation, grace and faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Salvation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is more than forgiveness: it is the deliverance from death and the gift of new life in Christ in all its fullness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           is God’s free and undeserved mercy towards us. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is our response of trust by which we each receive God’s free gift for ourselves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is no place for asking, ‘How much penance should I do?’ God’s gift of forgiveness and new life is full and free. It echoes Jesus’ words to the repentant criminal as he was dying on the cross: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Luke 23:43).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Good works.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (2:10)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are God’s work of art. Our salvation is God’s masterpiece in his creation. In the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo’s masterpiece, ‘The creation of Adam’ portrays God reaching out to Adam. Paul wants us to know that God’s masterpiece is of a totally different order: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           salvation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is not just creation, or re-creation. It is a new creation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, we are created in Christ Jesus for 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           good works
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            – good works that 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God prepared beforehand
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Before God in his mercy brought us to Christ we walked in trespasses and sins in which self-interest and the powers of evil had trapped us. Now we live out the good works God has eternally planned for us to do.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are many things happening around us today that are troubling. Our only hope is to be found in the depths of God’s mercy. Let me encourage you to reflect on these words of Paul and ask the Lord to awaken the riches of his love in you, stirring you to live out each day the good works he has prepared for you to do. When we do this, others will notice – especially if we wisely play a part in helping them to discern truth in the midst of the deceptions around us. Maybe then, they with us will come to know the hope and joy that only God, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, can give us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Almighty God, our heavenly Father, like lost sheep we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts and have broken your holy laws. Going our own way we have not loved you as we ought nor loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve your condemnation. Father, for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, forgive us all that is past. Turn our hearts to love you and obey your will. Help us to live for your glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-mercy/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-mercy/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 21 Jun 2023 21:47:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-21-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-20-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-20-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-20-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Forgetting God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We live in a funny age. Some people still have telephone landlines. But they mostly use them to call their cell phone because they have forgotten where they left it. And they need the cell phone, because it has an app that helps them find their car keys, for they have forgotten where they put their car keys. This kind of forgetfulness is largely due to being busy, distracted, and inattentive.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Though such forgetfulness is often a forgetfulness of things, it can easily become a forgetfulness of people. We forget that we were supposed to pick someone up because we got busy and distracted. We forget that we were supposed to meet someone for dinner because we were inattentive and didn't realize what time it was.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This kind of forgetfulness can also lead to a forgetfulness of God. We may sometimes find ourselves in the middle of a church service, where our attention is supposed to be on God and His Word, but instead we suddenly realize that we have been stewing over the argument that we had before church, and we haven't heard a thing the pastor has said.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I remember one time I fell particularly hard into this kind of forgetfulness. It was in an evening service, attended by a relatively small number of people. We had sung the opening hymn, and the pastor asked us to sit down and close our hymnals. Then he asked us about the content of the hymn we had just sung. No one could call it to mind. We had sung along on autopilot, forgetting where we were, what we were doing, and whom we were allegedly worshiping. We had, in fact, forgotten God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As bad as that sort of forgetting God is, as sinful as it is, it often seems to us to be a small sin. Usually something happens to break us out of our forgetfulness, and we redirect our attention to God. However, this distracted, busy, inattentive forgetting can become chronic and more deeply sinful. Moses, for example, warns the people of Israel, “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Deut.%204%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deut. 4:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This is a warning against the kind of forgetfulness that characterized the children of Israel when they were in the wilderness. They had seen God’s great acts of judgment exercised against Egypt. They had experienced God's great deliverance of them through the Red Sea. They had experienced God’s provision for them in the manna and the water from the rock. Yet, when they heard the report of the spies concerning the Land of Promise, they forgot all that they had seen, all that they had experienced. In the distress and fear of the moment, they forgot God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God knew this tendency in the people. Moses had seen this tendency in the people. So he reminds them repeatedly in Deuteronomy (which is, after all, the collection of Moses’ final addresses to the people) to be careful not to forget all that God had done. The construction “be careful not to forget” sounds a little funny in English, but it is a way of emphasizing the importance of not forgetting. It is a way of reminding us that these things need our full attention, because our default mode is to forget. We forget birthdays, we forget anniversaries, we forget promises, and we forget God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This kind of forgetting, what I would call careless forgetting, is bad. Even when it does not involve forgetting God, it can produce all sorts of evil in our families and our relationships. Thus, we must watch ourselves that we not forget the Lord and the things He has done for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But this careless forgetting can devolve into a more dangerous kind of forgetting. That is what I would call deliberate forgetting. Now sometimes, this deliberate forgetting can be a necessary, even positive thing. It was necessary, for example, in the case of Joseph, who put away the memory of the evil actions of his brothers against him in order that they might be reconciled. He determined not to dwell on the evil intent of his brothers but rather to remember the purposes of God in the events. It is necessary for us when we are sinned against to be able to deliberately put it away from us in order that we not develop a grudge against the person who has transgressed against us. This is the forgetting that Paul expresses: “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%203%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 3:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To bear a grudge, to envy the gifts and graces of others, to covet the possessions of others—these are steps on the way to forgetting God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But there is a negative aspect to deliberate forgetting that is more dangerous than careless forgetting. This is a deliberate putting out of the memory the object that ought to be remembered. In the book of Deuteronomy, we read many warnings against forgetting God. In the book of Jeremiah, we learn that the people did not follow Moses’ admonition. Instead, they forgot God and all the things He had done for Israel. And how had they forgotten God? By forgetting His commandments: “Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Deut.%208%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deut. 8:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). As a result, their careless forgetting of God developed into a deliberate forgetting. They carelessly forgot that God was present and active (even if not visible) and stopped obeying His commands. They forgot the first and second commandments and made a god for themselves that they could see. They called it Yahweh, but it was an idol (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ex.%2032%3A1%E2%80%935/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 32:1–5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). As God put it to Jeremiah, “But my people have forgotten me; they make offerings to false gods” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Jer.%2018%3A15a/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 18:15a
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The deliberate forgetting of God developed into a trust in false gods, a worship of false gods “even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal” (23:27).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Israel’s persistent forgetting of God, which led it into idolatry, brought them eventually into judgment. The Israelites forgot God initially through carelessness. They were distracted by the needs of the times. They were focused so much on the issues of the present that they neglected the foundational truths of the past. They disobeyed the commandments intended for their health and protection, and they forgot God. Thus, when the idols of the peoples offered quick solutions to their needs, the Israelites, who had forgotten God carelessly, were only too ready to forget Him deliberately. They were willing to set aside the God who had saved them because the gods of the peoples seemed ready, willing, and able to help.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is easy for us as modern Christians to point the finger at the Israelites and take them to task for the fact that they forgot God. The complaining we see in the wilderness, the cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration that we see in Judges, the good king/bad king alternations that we see in 1–2 Kings—these all emphasize the incessant inability of the Israelites to heed Moses’ admonition to “take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Deut.%206%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deut. 6:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). We get tired when we read through Jeremiah and chapter after chapter is devoted to enumerating the sins of Israel and telling of Israel’s coming judgment. We feel that we are superior to Israel, more spiritual, less likely to forget God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But we, too, get distracted by the demands of our days, by the busyness of our times. We forget that as Moses warned that declining from the commandments of God displays a forgetting of God, the same applies to us. We tend to think that ignoring, or rather, not fully living up to one commandment of God is a small thing. But the result is not simply disobedience. It is the beginning of idolatry, of making a god in our own image, a god we can easily obey. But did Jesus not say, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2014%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 14:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )? Yet, we find His commandments so easy to ignore. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%204%3A32/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 4:32
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), Paul says, but we want to hold on to offenses and resentments. It feels good to bear a grudge. But that is not the way Christ teaches. To bear a grudge, to envy the gifts and graces of others, to covet the possessions of others—these are steps on the way to forgetting God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are not to neglect meeting together, “as is the habit of some,” but encourage one another (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Heb.%2010%3A25/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 10:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But it is easier to neglect that meeting. Other things must be done; other things are more important. I remember a fellow student when I was in graduate school. He was a New Testament specialist. But he did not go to church on Sunday. I once asked him why. He said that he had better things to do on a Sunday morning. I knew other students, mostly undergraduates, who were mostly diligent about attending Sunday morning services but not Sunday evening worship. The explanation? They had to study for Monday’s classes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These things are so easy to understand, so easy even to empathize with. Yet, it is the beginning of forgetting God. The demands of life pile up and it’s all too easy to skip church. We need to love our neighbors as ourselves, but it’s so inconvenient. It requires too much time, too much energy. So we don’t. We give them a pat on the back and wish them well, but we don’t provide what they need (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/James%202%3A14%E2%80%9317/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           James 2:14–17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Such is the beginning of the careless forgetting of God. But it doesn’t stop there. It develops into an active resentment of those who would place demands on our time and commitments. And before we know it, we have forgotten God. Even worse, we have begun to follow other gods and have become committed to their ways.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/forgetting-god" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/forgetting-god
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 20 Jun 2023 14:42:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-20-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-19-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-19-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-19-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Spirit's Blessing
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Acts%202:4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 2:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The blessings of today would be rich if all of us were filled with the Holy Spirit. It would be impossible to overestimate the consequences of this sacred filling of the soul. Life, comfort, light, purity, power, peace, and many other precious blessings are inseparable from the Spirit’s gracious presence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            As sacred oil, He anoints the head of the believer, setting him apart to the priesthood of saints and giving him grace to execute his office properly. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            As the only truly purifying water He cleanses us from the power of sin and sets us apart to holiness, enabling us to desire and then to do what pleases the Lord. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            As the light, He revealed Himself to us in our darkness, and now He reveals the Lord Jesus to us and in us and guides us in the way of righteousness. Enlightened by His pure celestial ray, we are no longer in darkness but light in the Lord. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            As fire, He purges us from dross and sets our consecrated nature ablaze. He is the sacrificial flame by which we are enabled to offer our whole souls as a living sacrifice unto God. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            As heavenly dew, He removes our barrenness and fertilizes our lives. How we long for Him to come upon us from above at this early hour! Such morning dew would be a sweet beginning to the day. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            As the dove, with wings of peaceful love He broods over His Church and over the souls of believers, and as a Comforter He dispels the cares and doubts that spoil the peace of His beloved. He descends upon the chosen as He did upon Christ at His baptism and bears witness to their sonship by working in them a filial spirit by which they cry, “Abba, Father.” 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            As the wind, He brings the breath of life to men; blowing where He wills, He performs the quickening operations by which the spiritual creation is animated and sustained. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Would to God that we might feel His presence this day and every day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/19/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/19/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Jun 2023 14:04:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-19-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-16-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-16-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-16-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Danger of Unbelief
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%2010:28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 10:28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Christian should never think or speak lightly of unbelief. For when a child of God mistrusts His love, His truth, His faithfulness, it is greatly displeasing to Him. How can we ever grieve Him by doubting His upholding grace?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christian, it is contrary to every promise of God’s precious Word that you would ever be forgotten or left to perish. If it could be so, how could He be true who has said, “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.49.15.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 49:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) What would be the value of the promise—“‘The mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,’ says the LORD, who has compassion on you”? (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.54.10.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 54:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) What truth would there be in Christ’s words—“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand”? (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JHN.10.28-29.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 10:28-29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ) What value would there be in the doctrines of grace? They would be all disproved if one child of God should perish. What value could be placed in the veracity of God, His honor, His power, His grace, His covenant, His oath, if any of those for whom Christ died, and who have put their trust in Him, should nevertheless be cast away? 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Banish then those unbelieving fears, which so dishonor God. Arise, shake yourself from the dust, and put on your beautiful clothes. Remember, it is sinful to doubt His Word in which He has promised you that you will never perish. Let the eternal life within you express itself in confident rejoicing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The gospel bears my spirit up:
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           A faithful and unchanging God
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lays the foundation for my hope,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           In oaths, and promises, and blood.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/16/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/16/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 16 Jun 2023 12:38:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-16-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-15-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-15-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-15-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Resumes of Weakness
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His successes were not the result of his brilliance, might, and ability as an apostle. They were the result of the all-sufficient grace of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In any seminar that teaches you how to compose a stellar resume, I’m positive that none of them advise you to mention any of your failures. A resume is supposed to be your finest qualities all packaged up and easy to read. That’s why it is astounding to take note of what the apostle Paul includes on his resume.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As kitschy as that might sound, 2 Corinthians is just that: it’s Paul’s apostolic resume. And what makes it so surprising is that instead of listing all of his achievements — all the churches he founded, all the people he evangelized — Paul boasts about the things that show his weakness (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor.%2011%3A30%3B%2012%3A5%2C%209/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 11:30; 12:5, 9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). His resume simply reads, “When I am weak, then I am strong” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor.%2012%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 12:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Every “resume writing coach” would be questioning Paul’s sanity at this point, especially when he possessed a resume that everyone else would pay good money for. We’re given a hint of this in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Corinthians%2011%3A21%E2%80%9323/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Corinthians 11:21–23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , where he writes, “Whatever anyone else dares to boast of — I am speaking as a fool — I also dare to boast of that. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is reminiscent of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Philippians%203%3A4%E2%80%936/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Philippians 3:4–6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , where he catalogs all the reasons why his resume is better than anyone else’s: “I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel of the tribe of Benjamin a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law a Pharisee; as to zeal a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law blameless.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul isn’t writing boastfully. Rather, he’s taking the Corinthians at their own game. He had zero interest in spouting off his religious resume, nor was he keen on talking about himself. But he’d effectively been forced into it due to the sudden rise in popularity of the so-called “super-apostles” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor.%2012%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 12:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). A segment of the Corinthian congregation had begun to drop the doctrines of Paul in favor of these whom Paul mockingly calls “super-apostles” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor.%2011%3A1%E2%80%936/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 11:1–6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). They were a group of religious teachers who were preaching a “different gospel” about a “different Jesus,” which, as Paul says, makes them no better than the serpent of Eden himself (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor.%2011%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 11:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We might summarize the doctrines and philosophies of these “super-apostles” with what we’d know as “the prosperity gospel” in today’s lingo. It’s the belief that God rewards those who believe in him with health, wellness, and money. It’s the “Name It and Claim It” gospel that does little to differentiate itself from the spiritualized jargon of Oprah and Dr. Phil — that is, a loosely “Christian-based” message that has next to nothing of Christ in it. And despite how good it sounds, and how well it is communicated, all it really succeeds in doing is leaving people utterly deceived by the idea that following God means they won’t have trouble following them. That, in a nutshell, is what Corinth had begun to believe about Paul. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How could he be a true apostle? How could one so troubled be a representative of God? How could so much difficulty constantly bombard one of God’s messengers? Shouldn’t that disqualify him? This was the rhetoric of these “super-apostles” who, with their skillful speech and eloquent messages, used their personality to garner a massive following. Paul, however, is less than impressed. “Such men,” he says, “are false apostles deceitful workmen disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor.%2011%3A13%E2%80%9315/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 11:13–15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul, however, concedes and takes them at their own game (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor.%2011%3A16%E2%80%9318%2C%2021%E2%80%9323/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 11:16–18, 21–23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). “Okay, fine, if you wanna compare resumes, I’ll play along,” we might render his words. “I don’t want to, I think this is foolish, but I’ll play the fool if it means you’ll listen.” But his greatest boast is not at all what anyone would anticipate. He doesn’t brag about church plants or divine revelations. Rather he boasts of “weakness.” “If I must boast,” he concludes, “I will boast of the things that show my weakness” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor.%2011%3A30%3B%2012%3A5%2C%209/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 11:30; 12:5, 9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). How could he say that? Why would he say that?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This isn’t what we expect to find on a competent leader’s resume, especially one who is leading the church. But Paul had learned the greatest lesson anyone can learn this side of eternity — namely, that in the Final Analysis, when all is said and done, no measure of our own strength or success will even amount to a hill of beans. All that’s going to matter is your dependence. This is what Paul gets at when he juxtaposes his exciting testimony of heavenly visions with the less-than-thrilling testimony about his “thorn in the flesh.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor.%2012%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 12:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To prevent him from getting too arrogant, God allowed a splinter to fester and “harass” Paul. Lots of theories have been offered for what this “thorn” might have been. The short answer is: no one knows, we can only surmise. But the real kicker is recognizing that it was God who allowed it. Paul calls his malady “a messenger from Satan,” but this “thorn” was allowed to exist because God said so — which begs the question, Why would he do that? Why would God put an impediment on the greatest ambassador of his gospel? Why would he allow this to happen? And why would he not answer Paul’s prayers for this “thorn” to be taken away?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His successes were not the result of his brilliance, might, and ability as an apostle. They were the result of the all-sufficient grace of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Perhaps you’ve wondered the same thing. Perhaps you’re wondering that right now. Why won’t God take this chronic pain away? Is he even listening? Does he even care about me? Does he even love me? Paul, no doubt, asked the same string of questions, to which the Lord gave that resounding reply: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor.%2012%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 12:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). For as memorable as those words are, we should pause to note how unexpected they are, too. Paul’s questions are not really answered. His pleas for escape from the “thorn” remains unresolved. But God adds that his grace is more than enough to tread through the thorns. Rather than pluck the thorn out of Paul’s life, God invites him to drink from a well of grace for the rest of his life, a well that will never run dry.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul’s “thorn in the flesh,” then, was a catalyst for his dependence, for his faith. He couldn’t rely on his own strength because he was fully aware of just how weak he was. His successes were not the result of his brilliance, might, and ability as an apostle. They were the result of the all-sufficient grace of God. And the more he was brought face-to-face with his weaknesses, the more he depended upon the God of all grace. Paul’s “greatest boast,” therefore, the headline of his resume, were all of his “great weaknesses.” He had learned that it was precisely in those weaknesses that he was brought face-to-face with the God who clothes himself in weakness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When the Lord tells Paul that his “power is made perfect in weakness,” he wasn’t only talking about Paul’s weakness but his own. When God came down in the person of Jesus, he clothed himself in the weakness of human flesh. He bore “our griefs and carried our sorrows” in a body that was as weak and vulnerable to affliction as yours and mine (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Isa.%2053%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 53:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). In so doing, he’s able to “sympathize with our weaknesses” because he has felt every single one of them (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Heb.%204%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 4:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Beyond what anyone could imagine, God chose to demonstrate the extent of his power and might by showing up in the form of a servant who dies. And not only does he die — he dies in the most harrowing display of weakness ever conceived.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That image of a weak Jesus dying on a cross for a world chock-full of sinners is the fullest indication we get of whom God values: he values weak and wobbly sinners enough to take their place in death. Indeed, he chooses to dwell with weak and wobbly sinners.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The world is not desperate for more Christians who toot their own horns and sing the praises of their own piety and “put-together-ness.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This message was directly opposed to the one being platformed by the “super-apostles.” Where they were boasting in their self-proclaimed resumes of spiritual superiority and strength and insight, Paul boasts in a resume fraught with weakness. Because he knew that’s where God was found. “The all-powerful Christ,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.crossway.org/books/2-corinthians-hcj-1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           R. Kent Hughes says
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “‘pitches his tent’ with his people in their weakness” (215).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s not our strengths that ready us for God’s service, it’s our weaknesses. We are conditioned to think that our “put-together-ness” is what qualifies us to serve the Lord and this is seen in how we approach going to church. We enter the sanctuary like we’ve been invited to Cinderella’s ball: you have to clean yourself up, you have to look the part, and you have to fit in. We bibbidi-bobbidi-boo our masks of “put-together-ness” and walk into church hoping no one notices. But the irony is that so long as we go to church dressed in the pretenses of our own “put-together-ness,” we are going to the one place where we are free to lay down our pretenses in light of the enough-ness God gives us in pure grace. “With Christ,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gentle-Lowly-Christ-Sinners-Sufferers/dp/1433566133" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           writes Dane Ortlund fondly
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “our sins and weaknesses are the very resume items that qualify us to approach him” (64).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The world is not desperate for more Christians who toot their own horns and sing the praises of their own piety and “put-together-ness.” Rather, the world needs to see that God never hesitates to embrace those who are weak and broken (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%206%3A37/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 6:37
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The church’s greatest witness to the world, its best resume, is its willingness to embrace its weakness. After all, that’s where the Christ of God resides.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/resumes-of-weakness" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/resumes-of-weakness
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 15 Jun 2023 12:20:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-15-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-14-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-14-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-14-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Summer Growth: Prayer...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           AA Milne’s, Christopher Robin’s prayer, ‘Little Boy kneels at the foot of his bed…’ has touched the hearts of millions. The poem is a picture of childhood innocence, a mixture of God language and the distractions of inner thoughts: ‘Wasn’t it fun in the bath tonight?’ and, ‘If I open my fingers a little bit more, I can see Nanny’s dressing-gown on the door’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For adults it raises questions about prayer. Is it something we grow out of? If we do pray, what should we pray: ‘God bless the family, friends and me?’ And why are there all those distractions in our prayers? Will we ever grow out of them?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul the Apostle provides very helpful answers to questions we have about prayer in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           chapter 1. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thanksgiving
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            are two themes in the chapter, setting out a balance for our prayers. Our relationship with God is not just asking for things: it also involves 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           thanksgiving
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            for the riches of God’s love and the inexpressible joy we have in him. C.S Lewis once commented: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I think we all sin by needlessly disobeying the apostolic injunction to ‘rejoice’ as much as by anything else.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In verses 3 though 14, Paul thanks God for the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           hope
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            evident in the lives of the Ephesian church – features that have been awakened and made possible through the complex work of the triune God. This involved the calling, rescuing and sealing a vast company of people for eternity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now in verses 15 through 21, he prays for the Ephesians – especially that they might continually grow in the riches of all God has done for them. His prayer is not simply, ‘God bless the church in Ephesus’!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Know God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . So what precisely does Paul pray for – a second blessing experience? No. The key to his prayer is verse 18: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Paul’s prayer that the Ephesians may 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           know
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , isn’t simply about intellectual understanding – although this is present. Rather, it is a relationship word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In verse 17 he writes: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him,…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Knowing God involves 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           wisdom and revelation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Proverbs
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            tells us that 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            – the beginning, not the ending. We also need God’s self-
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           revelation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , and this is what the Bible says of itself: God 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           breathing out
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           inspiring
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) his thoughts (2 Timothy 3:16). The Anglican Thirty-Nine Articles speaks of the Bible as ‘God’s Word written’ (Article XX). As in all meaningful personal relationships we need to reveal who we are and for others to do the same. In the same way we need God to reveal himself, otherwise we will only have conjecture, not relationship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Adolphe Monod, a great Protestant French preacher once commented, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Philosophy taking man for its center says, ‘Know thyself’; only the inspired word which proceeds from God has been able to say, ‘Know God’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So Paul prays that 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (or 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the glory
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           may give you the Spirit
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           of wisdom and revelation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            While most translations spell 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           spirit
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            with a lower case ‘s’, it’s more likely that Paul’s reference is to the Holy Spirit, since the Bible speaks about him as the Spirit of Truth – the agent of God’s self-revelation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is because of his confidence in the Spirit’s ministry that Paul continues his prayer: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know… The eyes of the heart
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is a reference to the whole of the inward self – mind and emotion. Our natural bias is to turn away from God and thus from truth. This is the reason the world is in the state of turmoil and conflict it is.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is the Spirit who opens the eyes of our heart and turns us to God. It is that same Spirit and the Word of the Spirit that continue to bring us more and more into the fullness of God’s truth. It is for such ongoing enlightenment that Paul prays.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hope.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Paul continues his prayer: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you,…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (1:18a). God has called us
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           to
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            something and
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           for
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           something – something rich, exciting and worthwhile.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Features of knowing God include 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           freedom
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (freedom from the judgment of God’s law) and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           peace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (in Christ we experience harmony across the barriers of age, gender and race). Paul prays that, now enjoying fellowship with God and with one another, our eyes will be opened to the hope that lies before us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Glory. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So that you may know what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints,.. Inheritance
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            refers to what God plans to give us – one that is guaranteed by the Holy Spirit (1:14).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While our inheritance is beyond our wildest imagination, there are moments when the New Testament lifts a corner of the curtain for us. We’re told we shall see God and his Christ, that as this vision unfolds we will worship him with great joy in our hearts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When Christ appears we shall reflect his glory, not just outwardly but in our inner character. God’s plan for his people will include a great banquet for the vast multitude – far too great to number. His people will be drawn into his presence from every nation throughout time. Clearly Paul doesn’t think it is presumptuous for us to think about this future or even to anticipate it with joy and gratitude. On the contrary, he prays that we may know it and know the riches of glory and live with the joy of it in our hearts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Power
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Paul continues: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So that you may know what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (1:19)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul knows we need the energy and strength of God’s power in our lives if we are to come safely to our final inheritance. We know the reality of our human weaknesses: our tongue or our temper, malice, greed, lust, jealousy or pride – things that are beyond our power to control. But are our weaknesses beyond God’s power?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul answers this by reminding us of God’s supremacy. Jesus’ resurrection, enthronement and headship over all things are examples of God’s power (1:20 – 23).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is because of Christ’s resurrection from the dead and his absolute lordship over all other authorities including the powers of evil that he’s been given headship over the church. The resurrection and the ascension were decisive demonstrations of divine power. Paul continues his great prayer saying that Christ 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           fills
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            the church in the same way he 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           fills
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            the universe – empowering his people with wisdom and understanding, inspiring and motivating us to a new way of living.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a far cry this is from the vesper prayer of the young Christopher Robin. Like any good parent, God wants us to grow up – to know him and to enjoy him forever. But he also knows that we need his help – his power at work within us. And this he promises to do. All we need to do is ask.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Teach us, gracious Lord, to begin our works with reverence, to go on in obedience, and finish them with love; and then to wait patiently in hope, and with cheerful countenance to look up to you, whose promises are faithful and rewards infinite; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-prayer/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-prayer/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 14 Jun 2023 15:32:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-14-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sports &amp; Events Schedule 6-14-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sports-events-schedule-6-14-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI sports schedule:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXZFSUpoclpkcEw1NjZFN08zZjIwM3lqT1BQZ3xBQ3Jtc0trbHpPcndXcDJzZXhTVFF3WlRqWVU2ZlRKOE4tZ0VaMlViOVQ4allfRjljdXMwcjkzczQ0eU5sV1NlM3JyczRXWjN1VzZrS0hwSTdPYUE3OE5SOXd4bXRsQVBmZE9Ua1BMYl9GbXZ1eS1jY0doal9iaw&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2Fmajor-sports-leagues-and-events-schedules&amp;amp;v=1OaNrVhxMSU" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/major-sports-lea...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Gospel Invasion &amp;amp; Concerts:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGJEM0tmLXBxRTFkZ1U5cUNfTVlmRlRnTkxwQXxBQ3Jtc0treFlQSThudHROY25QLWxTbURMa2JTYlhJcmlHOC1kX0d6aVcxbHFpSldoeFlHOVhyazhLODBEY2JsRDBJUVMxNl9sbUl0bFkzMVBsbW5jZ3VwZFA2VG1QZHpKczBBM1Y5c0lCOW1uOV9aQ0NaSzRPNA&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fsfoi.org%2Fgospelinvasionevents&amp;amp;v=1OaNrVhxMSU" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/gospelinvasionevents
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI Events:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2JHeHVuLW9CZ1hTRnlIcnFkRW52c3FIRWx0Z3xBQ3Jtc0tsQ0tlcDdEZlNPb2JTSW96NFFvak1TOENPR01nU2p0VFl5QTJOalc0bjhEVUhRRy1yejM4QlpsOUN6Y0UyN1czME1rZ2RCMFpPYUstaWZDMERfcTh5U0hUbHVjSFhjVE1QTGVRSDdJNG9RdVYzQmRjVQ&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fsfoi.org%2Fevents&amp;amp;v=1OaNrVhxMSU" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/events
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI 1000 MLB:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUtkV2pUNjRGdkEwRnFUdkpOeXZ5S28tZzNyUXxBQ3Jtc0ttMFBZVTdrVWN4XzN2dzBfOTZUUmYxWEpTazJuQmFKMnZORmZHZ2tDWDB3WUJHRG9yTTVwbE9FMTVWVjF6aHk0Y1dQYWFZZGZmeW5XZExXREliVUdPbFN3ZnNxTzlNTFNNR3lQUnFQemlGLVgzdWpkNA&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2Fmlb-1000&amp;amp;v=1OaNrVhxMSU" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/jesusislord" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #jesusislord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
              
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/greatcommission" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #greatcommission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
              
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/openairpreaching" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #openairpreaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
              
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/evangelism" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #evangelism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
              
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/christianevangelism" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #christianevangelism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
              
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/christianity" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #christianity
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
              
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/greatcommissionministries" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #greatcommissionministries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Canada+23.jpg" length="780291" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 14 Jun 2023 12:30:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sports-events-schedule-6-14-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Canada+23.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Canada+23.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-13-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-13-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-13-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Dark Night of the Soul
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The dark night of the soul. This phenomenon describes a malady that the greatest of Christians have suffered from time to time. It was the malady that provoked David to soak his pillow with tears. It was the malady that earned for Jeremiah the sobriquet, “The Weeping Prophet.” It was the malady that so afflicted Martin Luther that his melancholy threatened to destroy him. This is no ordinary fit of depression, but it is a depression that is linked to a crisis of faith, a crisis that comes when one senses the absence of God or gives rise to a feeling of abandonment by Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Spiritual depression is real and can be acute. We ask how a person of faith could experience such spiritual lows, but whatever provokes it does not take away from its reality. Our faith is not a constant action. It is mobile. It vacillates. We move from faith to faith, and in between we may have periods of doubt when we cry, “Lord, I believe, help Thou my unbelief.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We may also think that the dark night of the soul is something completely incompatible with the fruit of the Spirit, not only that of faith but also that of joy. Once the Holy Spirit has flooded our hearts with a joy unspeakable, how can there be room in that chamber for such darkness? It is important for us to make a distinction between the spiritual fruit of joy and the cultural concept of happiness. A Christian can have joy in his heart while there is still spiritual depression in his head. The joy that we have sustains us through these dark nights and is not quenched by spiritual depression. The joy of the Christian is one that survives all downturns in life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The presence of faith gives no guarantee of the absence of spiritual depression; however, the dark night of the soul always gives way to the brightness of the noonday light of the presence of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In writing to the Corinthians in his second letter, Paul commends to his readers the importance of preaching and of communicating the Gospel to people. But in the midst of that, he reminds the church that the treasure we have from God is a treasure that is contained not in vessels of gold and silver but in what the Apostle calls “jars of clay.” For this reason he says, “that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” Immediately after this reminder, the Apostle adds,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor.%204%3A7%E2%80%9310/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 4:7–10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This passage indicates the limits of depression that we experience. The depression may be profound, but it is not permanent, nor is it fatal. Notice that the Apostle Paul describes our condition in a variety of ways. He says that we are “afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down.” These are powerful images that describe the conflict that Christians must endure, but in every place that he describes this phenomenon, he describes at the same time its limits. Afflicted, but not crushed. Perplexed, but not in despair. Persecuted, but not forsaken. Struck down, but not destroyed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So we have this pressure to bear, but the pressure, though it is severe, does not crush us. We may be confused and perplexed, but that low point to which perplexity brings us does not result in complete and total despair. Even in persecution, as serious as it may be, we are still not forsaken, and we may be overwhelmed and struck down as Jeremiah spoke of, yet we have room for joy. We think of the prophet Habakkuk, who in his misery remained confident that despite the setbacks he endured, God would give him feet like hind’s feet, feet that would enable him to walk in high places.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Elsewhere, the Apostle Paul in writing to the Philippians gives them the admonition to be “anxious for nothing,” telling them that the cure for anxiety is found on one’s knees, that it is the peace of God that calms our spirit and dissipates anxiety. Again, we can be anxious and nervous and worried without finally submitting to ultimate despair.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This coexistence of faith and spiritual depression is paralleled in other biblical statements of emotive conditions. We are told that it is perfectly legitimate for believers to suffer grief. Our Lord Himself was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Though grief may reach to the roots of our souls, it must not result in bitterness. Grief is a legitimate emotion, at times even a virtue, but there must be no place in the soul for bitterness. In like manner, we see that it is a good thing to go to the house of mourning, but even in mourning, that low feeling must not give way to hatred. The presence of faith gives no guarantee of the absence of spiritual depression; however, the dark night of the soul always gives way to the brightness of the noonday light of the presence of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/dark-night-soul" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/dark-night-soul
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jun 2023 14:29:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-13-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sports and Events Schedule: 6-12-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sports-and-events-schedule-6-12-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI sports schedule: https://www.sfoi.org/major-sports-leagues-and-events-schedules
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel Invasion &amp;amp; Concerts: https://sfoi.org/gospelinvasionevents
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Events: https://sfoi.org/events
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI 1000 MLB: https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #jesusislord  #greatcommission  #openairpreaching  #evangelism  #christianevangelism  #christianity  #greatcommissionministries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Dan+Davis1.jpeg" length="35738" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 Jun 2023 15:47:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sports-and-events-schedule-6-12-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Dan+Davis1.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Dan+Davis1.jpeg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-12-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-12-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-12-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Getting on the Scales
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Daniel%205:27/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daniel 5:27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is good to regularly weigh ourselves on the scale of God’s Word. You will find it a holy exercise to read some Psalm of David and, as you meditate upon each verse, to ask yourself, “Can I say this? Have I felt as David felt? Has my heart ever been broken on account of sin, as his was when he penned his penitential psalms? Has my soul been full of true confidence in the hour of difficulty as his was when he sang of God’s mercies in the cave of Adullam or in the holds of Engedi? Do I take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then turn to the life of Christ, and as you read, ask yourself how far you are conformed to His likeness. Endeavor to discover whether you have the meekness, the humility, the lovely spirit that He constantly urged and displayed. Then take the epistles, and see whether you can go with the apostle in what he said of his experience. Have you ever cried out as he did, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death”? Have you ever felt his self-abasement? Have you seemed to yourself the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all the saints? Have you known anything of his devotion? Could you join with him and say, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If in this way we read God’s Word as a test of our spiritual condition, we will often have good reason to pause and say, “Lord, I feel I have never yet been here. O bring me here! Give me the true penitence about which I am reading. Give me real faith; give me warmer zeal; inflame me with more fervent love; grant me the grace of meekness; make me more like Jesus. Do not allow me to be ‘found wanting’ when weighed in the balances of the Bible, in case I be found wanting in the scales of judgment.” “Judge not, that you be not judged.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/12/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/12/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 Jun 2023 15:13:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-12-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Concierge Service</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/concierge-service-mlb-all-star</link>
      <description>SFOI is seeking for Concierge Service for the MLB All-Star Outreach, July 8-11, in Seattle, WA.</description>
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    
          CONCIERGE SERVICE
         &#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           for MLB All-Star Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Concierge Service Overview 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI is seeking for Concierge Service for the
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/mlb-all-star" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           MLB All-Star Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , July 8-11, in Seattle, WA.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is a once-off paid engagement for this particular outreach. Rates will be decided and agreed upon once you are hired.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At SFOI, the Gospel really is the center of all we do! We, therefore, require that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. SFOI’s statement of faith can be found here: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/statement-of-faith" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/statement-of-faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As a Concierge Service provider, you will be responsible for arranging all transportation needs of the team during the outreach event, ensuring a smooth and pleasant experience for the evangelists in your city. You will provide information and recommendations to assist the evangelists in organizing their stay and related activities. Excellent communication skills and customer service skills are necessary to succeed in this role.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Concierge Service Responsibilities and Duties
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Engages with the Outreach Team Leader to determine the event’s requirements.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Provide transportation for airport pick-ups and drop-offs.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Provide transportation between the place of accommodation and the outreach location on a daily basis.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Running errands to assist the Outreach Team leader. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Any other ad hoc requests that may arise.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Concierge Service Requirements
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Be punctual - early is on time. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Great attention to detail.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Client relational and management skills
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Have a roadworthy vehicle to provide transport for a group of 10 people or arrange for transportation for a group of this size. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            If applicable, have the relevant public transportation license required by your state. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Send your application to
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:info@sfo.org" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           info@sfo.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            before/on June 30, 2023.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png" length="87392" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 09 Jun 2023 18:02:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/concierge-service-mlb-all-star</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#concierge,#travel</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Photographer</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/photographer-mlb-all-star</link>
      <description>SFOI is seeking the service of a photographer for the MLB All-Star Outreach, July, 8-11, in Seattle, WA</description>
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           PHOTOG
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          RAPHER
         &#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           for MLB All-Star Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Photographer Job Overview 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI is seeking the service of a photographer for the
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/mlb-all-star" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           MLB All-Star Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , July, 8-11, in Seattle, WA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is a once-off paid engagement for this particular outreach. Rates will be decided and agreed upon once you are hired.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At SFOI, the Gospel really is the center of all we do! We, therefore, require that you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. SFOI’s statement of faith can be found here: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/statement-of-faith" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/statement-of-faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As a photographer, you will be responsible for capturing high-quality images and short videos that will serve as inputs for visual materials intended for digital and print media. Your shots should tell stories of evangelism that will capture the attention of our target audience. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You will also ensure that photos and short videos are edited and processed to ensure outputs that are of the highest possible caliber.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Photographer Job Responsibilities and Duties
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Engages with the event leader to determine the event’s requirements.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Captures high-quality still images and short videos.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Improves image quality using different editing methods
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Supply images and short videos to SFOI.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Photographer Job Requirements
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Aesthetically pleasing portfolio
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Good oral communication skills
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Great attention to detail
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Client management skills
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Photography in crowds / outdoor events photography
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bring your photography expertise and knowledge and use your gifts to advance the Gospel!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Send your application to
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:info@sfo.org" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           info@sfo.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            before
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           June 30, 2023
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png" length="87392" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 09 Jun 2023 17:41:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/photographer-mlb-all-star</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string">#photographer,#photos</g-custom:tags>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-9-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-9-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-9-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Look at the Positives
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%20126:3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 126:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some Christians are sadly prone to look on the dark side of everything, and to dwell more upon what they have gone through than upon what God has done for them. Ask for their impression of the Christian life, and they will describe their continual conflicts, their deep afflictions, their sad adversities, and the sinfulness of their hearts, but with scarcely any reference to the mercy and help that God has provided them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But a Christian whose soul is in a healthy state will come forward joyously and say, “I will not speak about myself, but to the honor of my God. He has brought me up out of a horrible pit and out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings; and He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. The Lord has done great things for me—I am glad.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This summary of experience is the very best that any child of God can present. It is true that we endure trials, but it is just as true that we are delivered out of them. It is true that we have our corruptions, and sadly we acknowledge this, but it is just as true that we have an all-sufficient Savior who overcomes these corruptions and delivers us from their dominion. In looking back, it would be wrong to deny that we have been in the Slough of Despond and have crept along the Valley of Humiliation, but it would be equally wicked to forget that we have been through them safely and profitably; we have not remained in them, thanks to our Almighty Helper and Leader, who has “brought us out to a place of abundance.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.66.12.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 66:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The deeper our troubles, the louder our thanks to God, who has led us through them all and preserved us until today. Our griefs cannot spoil the melody of our praise; we consider them to be the “bass line” of our life’s song, “The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/09/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/09/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 09 Jun 2023 14:34:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-9-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-8-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-8-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-8-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An Intro to Ordinary Time
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God cares about our real life wher
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           e we actually are. He is present in the everyday.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Every morning I wake up at 5 am. I make my way to the kitchen and put a kettle of water on to boil to make my morning cup of coffee. Most days, I make two. I read while the water boils, and then I’m off to work until my kids wake up. The rest of the day is filled with mealtimes, work, play, and various other activities that might be considered mundane or ordinary. Certainly not Instagram-worthy. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sometimes the ordinary can feel unimpressive or perhaps not good enough. Good enough for what, I’m not sure. Occasionally, I will meet someone who has had some sort of mountaintop spiritual experience. Often the hope is that this mountaintop will be the new normal. But, as you likely know, we all come down from that mountain eventually and find ourselves again waking up to the ordinary. Yet, the ordinary is not bad. In fact, small acts are what compose our life, and that life then tells our story.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The life of the church is not dissimilar. If you attend a church that follows the liturgical calendar, a portion of the year is spent following the life of Christ (Advent to Easter), while the remainder is spent in what is often referred to as Ordinary Time. This is the period of the year that tells the story of the church, beginning in Pentecost and concluding before the beginning of Advent.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Recently, I was at a songwriter retreat where one of the retreat leaders reminded us that God is present in our actual lives, not just the lives we think we ought to have. Certainly, God is present in feasts, festivals, and celebrations. Still, he is just as present in the time spent changing old guitar strings as he is during that magic moment when we all sing the final chorus acapella together and feel the chill run down our spine. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God cares about our real life where we actually are. He is present in the everyday. Whether we feel it or not, he is present in the ordinary. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Every day when I wake up to make that coffee, I am reminded that Christ is present in ordinary acts and in ordinary means. He has again brought me safely through the night and given me my daily bread (or grounds, as it were).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I drink coffee because I enjoy it. I am grateful that it exists. It’s a simple but important part of my day. Maybe it’s not as surprising or interesting as Jesus grilling fish on the beach post-resurrection (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2021%3A1-17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 21:1-17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), but it is just as simple, just as practical, and just as necessary. So, as the lily wilts and the fanfare of Easter fades, know that God is still with you in all that life brings.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heavenly Father, grant that we may know your presence in the ordinary and the exceptional. As we enjoy something as simple as a coffee or meal, may it make us more aware of your good gifts, pointing us evermore to the greatest gift of your Son with whom we have been buried and made alive, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/an-intro-to-ordinary-time" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/an-intro-to-ordinary-time
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 08 Jun 2023 15:40:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-8-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-7-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-7-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-7-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Summer Growth – God’s Plan…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With the anticipated arrival of summer in the northern hemisphere, the Word on Wednesday will offer a series of reflections on the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Letter to the Ephesians
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            entitled, ‘Summer Growth’. The substance of the Letter goes to the heart of quintessential Christianity and plumbs the depths of biblical truth, providing riches that shape the mind and warm the heart.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Letter was written to be read in churches in the region of ancient Asia Minor, modern Turkey, starting with the church in Ephesus. It may be helpful to imagine yourself sitting in church with the first eager listeners when the wonders of this Letter unfolded – after all we are members of the same family.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider the opening lines: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul, an envoy of Christ Jesus by the will of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ­
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           – commissioned through God’s decision – 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           to the holy ones in Ephesus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            – regular people whose lives were separated from God through sin, and who are now walking a new life of faith in Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grace to you and peace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            – being reconciled with God, may the rich kindness and favor of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ rest on your minds and hearts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then in one long sentence, from verses 3 through 14, we are drawn into God’s awe-inspiring presence and cosmic plan – 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           a plan that reveals the extraordinary grace of the triune God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            realm of spiritual realities – Paul begins. He continues by breaking out what this looks like – in terms of God’s pre-cosmic plans for his people which includes their redemption and remission of their sins in Christ (verses 4-6), and their inheritance in Christ (verse 11), a relationship and hope that is sealed by the Spirit of God (verses 13f).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The theme of God’s 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           grace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is palpable, dominating the whole scene. God is the subject of almost every main verb: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is he who has blessed us …
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            ’; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He has freely bestowed upon us his grace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (verse 6); 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He has made known his will and purpose which he set forth in Christ… to unite all things
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ’ (verses 9f); 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (verse 11).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Contrary to a stereotyped view, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the God of the Bible delights in giving life,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is kind and generous, warm-hearted and loving – so different from the impersonal Force of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Star Wars
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and the cold-blooded, ruthless rule of human dictatorships.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How easy it is to nod sagely at Paul’s words and yet fail to consider their substance, especially what they teach us about God’s grace. In verses 5 through 8 we learn what that grace cost God: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s glory is revealed in his grace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , his extraordinary love for the unworthy: and despite what we like to think, none of us is worthy. And that glorious grace is supremely seen in the costly death of his Son.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the turn of the 5th century AD, Pelagius, a popular preacher, challenged the immorality of his day and urged people to live pure lives. His preaching seemed biblical until the north African theologian and bishop, Augustine, began to review his teaching. He pointed out that Pelagius was saying that it was only through ‘right living’ that we had any hope of eternal life – in other words, our hope of eternal life lay in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           using
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            God as the one who 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           sells
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            us heaven.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Augustine rightly commented that the Bible teaches that we are designed to love, but the tragedy is that we have turned love in on itself – from loving God to loving self. Our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           hearts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            need to be changed – something we can’t do ourselves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In our western world today there’s a culture of victimhood that blames the ills of the world on others. Underlying it all is the rejection of any sense of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           my
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            personal failure. It’s what happens when self-love dominates. And, if there is life after death, most people reckon that they’re good enough to make it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tragically, many professing Christians and churches have not grasped 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the reality of the meaning of God’s grace. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They tell us Christianity is about love, but the focus is on loving one’s neighbour and caring about the injustices of the world. They have no vocabulary for the cost of God’s grace that required Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross. In turn they don’t have a ministry or a liturgy that calls for repentance for sins and the assurance of God’s forgiveness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s plan is to build a vibrant, new community of forgiven people. Eleven times we read the phrase, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           in Christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            or 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           in him
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . And in verses 9 &amp;amp; 10 we learn that 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s ultimate plan is to bring everything and everyone under the rule of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Assurance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Having believed, you were marked in him
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (in Christ) 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit, guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession— to the praise of his glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God seals us as his own by putting his Spirit within us. Long before, he had promised his people that he would take up residence with them (Jeremiah 31:31ff). Ephesians is now telling us that the presence of God’s Spirit within us is a down-payment on our future inheritance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When one day I am asked why I should be given entrance into God’s presence, I will ask that the Book of Life be checked. The presence of the Holy Spirit within me now, assures me that my name will be found in the great Register of God’s people – listed as an adopted son of the Father, signed in by Jesus Christ, embossed with the great seal of the Holy Spirit of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is with humble, heart-felt thankfulness for the humility of our great and wonderful, all-glorious and loving God, that I look forward to that day with joy, because he has honored me with a part in his epic story.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Lord God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: mercifully accept our prayers, and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do nothing good without you, grant us the help of your grace, so that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in word and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-gods-plan/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/summer-growth-gods-plan/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 07 Jun 2023 13:39:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-7-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-6-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-6-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-6-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Delighting in the Trinity
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “It is not to be expected that we should love God supremely if we have not known him to be more desirable than all other things.” So wrote the great hymn writer Isaac Watts. And of course, he was quite right, for we always love what seems most attractive to us. Whether it be God, money, sex, or fame, we live for and love what captures our hearts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But what kind of God could outstrip the attractions of all other things? Could any unitary, single-person god do so? Hardly, or at least not for long. Single-person gods must, by definition, have spent eternity in absolute solitude. Before creation, having no other persons with whom they could commune, they must have been entirely alone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Love for others, then, cannot go very deep in them if they can go for eternity without it. And so, not being essentially loving, such gods are inevitably less than lovely. They may demand our worship, but they cannot win our hearts. They must be served with gritted teeth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How wonderfully different it is with the triune God. In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2017%3A24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 17:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Jesus speaks of how the Father loved Him even before the creation of the world. That is the triune, living God: a Father, whose very being has eternally been about loving His Son, pouring out the Spirit of love and life on Him. Here is a God who is love, who is so full of life and blessing that for eternity He has been overflowing with it. As the Puritan preacher Richard Sibbes put it: “Such a goodness is in God as is in a fountain, or in the breast that loves to ease itself of milk.” Here in the triune God, in other words, is an infinitely satisfying God, one who is the very fountainhead of all goodness, truth, and beauty.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That means that with the triune God there is great good news. For here is no mean and grasping God, but a Lord of grace and mercy—one, in fact, who offers a salvation sweeter than any non-triune God could ever imagine.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Just imagine for a moment a single-person god. Having been alone for eternity, would it want fellowship with us? It seems most unlikely. Would it even know what fellowship was? Almost certainly not. Such a god might allow us to live under its rule and protection, but little more. Think of the uncertain hope of the Muslim or the Jehovah’s Witness: they may finally attain paradise, but even there they will have no real fellowship with their god. Their god would not want it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here and here alone is the God for whom our hearts were made, the God who can win our hearts away from the desires that enslave us, the God who is endlessly, unsurpassably satisfying.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But if God is a Father, whose very life has been about loving and delighting in His precious Son, then you begin to see a God who would have far more intimate and marvelous aims, aims to draw us into His life and joy, to embrace us with the very love He has for His dear Son.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, this God does not offer some kind of “he loves me, he loves me not” relationship whereby I have to try to keep myself in His favor by behaving impeccably. No, “to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%201%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 1:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )—and so with the security to enjoy His love forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The eternally beloved Son comes to us to share with us the very love that the Father has always lavished on Him. He comes to share with us and bring us into the life that is His, that we might be brought before the Most High, not just as forgiven sinners, but as dearly beloved children who share by the Spirit the Son’s own “Abba!” cry.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In other words, the God who is infinitely more beautiful than all the gods of human religion offers an infinitely more beautiful salvation. Here is a God who can win back wandering hearts by the mere opening of eyes to who He is, who can give the deepest hope and comfort to the stumbling saint.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Trinity, then, is not some awkward add-on to God, the optional extra nobody should want. No, God is beautiful, desirable, and life-giving precisely because He is the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. Only here can be found the God who is love and who shares with us His very own life and joy. Only here can be found the God whom it is eternal life to know.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Calvin once wrote that if we try to think about God without thinking about the Father, Son, and Spirit, then “only the bare and empty name of God flits about in our brains, to the exclusion of the true God.” Quite so, and that means that if we content ourselves with speaking of God vaguely or abstractly, without the Father, Son, and Spirit, we will never know the life, beauty, and comfort of knowing the true God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here and here alone is the God for whom our hearts were made, the God who can win our hearts away from the desires that enslave us, the God who is endlessly, unsurpassably satisfying.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/delighting-trinity" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/delighting-trinity
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 5344
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Jun 2023 14:28:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-6-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-5-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-5-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-5-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Closed In
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And the Lord shut him in.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Genesis%207:16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 7:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Noah was shut in away from all the world by the hand of divine love. The door of God’s electing purpose separates us from the world, which lies in the wicked one. We are not of the world even as our Lord Jesus was not of the world. Into the sin, the folly, the pursuits of the crowd we cannot enter; we cannot play in the streets of Vanity Fair with the children of darkness, for our heavenly Father has shut us in.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Noah was shut in with his God. “Come into the ark,” was the Lord’s invitation, by which He clearly showed that He Himself intended to dwell in the ark with Noah and his family. In this manner all the chosen live in God and God in them. Happy people to be enclosed in the same circle that contains God in the Trinity of His persons—Father, Son, and Spirit. Let us never be inattentive to that gracious call, “Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Noah was so shut in that no evil could reach him. Floods simply lifted toward heaven, and winds helped him on his way. Outside the ark all was ruin, but inside all was rest and peace. Without Christ we perish, but in Christ Jesus there is perfect safety.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Noah was so shut in that he could not even desire to come out, and those who are in Christ Jesus are in Him forever. They are there forever because eternal faithfulness has shut them in, and infernal malice cannot drag them out. God closes, and no man opens; and when in the last days as Master of the house He shall rise and close the door, it will be futile for mere professors to knock and cry, “Lord, Lord open for us,” for that same door which closes in the wise virgins will shut out the foolish forever. Lord, close me in by Your grace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/05/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/05/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Jun 2023 12:56:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-5-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-2-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-2-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-2-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Constant Struggle
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Galatians%205:17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Galatians 5:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In every believer’s heart there is a constant struggle between the old nature and the new. The old nature is very active and loses no opportunity of employing all the weapons in its deadly arsenal against newborn grace; while on the other hand, the new nature is always on the lookout to resist and destroy its enemy. Grace within us will employ prayer and faith and hope and love to cast out the evil; it takes to itself “the whole armor of God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/EPH.6.11.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians 6:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and wrestles vigorously. These two opposing natures will never stop struggling as long as we are in this world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bunyan’s Christian fought Apollyon in a battle lasting three hours, but the battle of Christian with himself lasted all the way from the entry Gate to the River Jordan. The enemy is so securely entrenched within us that he can never be driven out while we are in this body: But although we are closely followed, and often in fierce conflict, we have an Almighty helper, Jesus, the Captain of our salvation, who is always with us and who assures us that we shall eventually be more than conquerors through Him. With such assistance the newborn nature is more than a match for its enemies.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are you fighting with the adversary today? Are Satan, the world, and the flesh all against you? Do not be discouraged nor dismayed. Fight on! For God Himself is with you. Jehovah Nissi is your banner, and Jehovah Rophi is the healer of your wounds. Do not fear, you will overcome, for who can defeat Omnipotence? Fight on, “looking to Jesus”; (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/HEB.12.2.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hebrews 12:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and although the conflict is long and tough, the victory will be sweet, and the promised reward will be glorious.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From strength to strength go on;
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wrestle, and fight, and pray,
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tread all the powers of darkness down,
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And win the well-fought day. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/02/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/06/02/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 02 Jun 2023 13:41:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-2-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 6-1-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-1-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-1-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Of Mundane Importance: How God Uses Time
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We number our days not according to our timeframe but according to God’s work and his rhythms.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This article comes to us from guest contributor, Jane Grizzle.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some of the time markers in the Bible are easily ignored. For instance, in Genesis 17, right after we are told “The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you,” we are told Abram was 75. How often have we read this story and missed that Abram had already lived a lifetime? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sometime between then and when Abraham was 99, God made further promises to Abraham. Genesis 17:4-5 tells us, “Then the word of the Lord came to him: ‘This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.’ He took him outside and said, ‘Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’” But it was not until Abraham was 100 that Sarah bore his son, Isaac. 25 years passed between the first call and the second call. I can imagine the waiting involved great sorrow and confusion. The story of Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac is another reminder that God’s timing and our timing are never the same.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If this is confusing, that is because time itself is confusing. We speak of time as an independent actor – it flies when we’re having fun, it drags when we are bored. My daughter has a test today. If she is prepared, the time may seem to be enough. If she is not prepared, it may seem like too little. When I am waiting for my car to be repaired, an hour seems longer than 60 minutes. If I am reading a good book or spending time with a friend, the hour may seem more like 60 seconds. The feeling of time can be subjective. But, time itself is carefully measured in seconds, minutes, days, weeks, and years.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Time orients us. We know that time directs what we do each day. Even without a clock, the sun rises and our bodies naturally wake up. When the moon and stars appear we know it is time to sleep. Time has a rhythm as the earth moves around the sun and the moon makes its evening appearance. The natural world is integrated with this diurnal cycle. The pattern of the sun and the moon create a framework for our day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We thrive in predictable environments. Regular routines and patterns allow us to rest in knowing what has happened and what will come next. For children, this is perhaps even more true. According to Reuters, when researchers studied the family routines of 8,500 children, things like family dinner, singing songs, and telling stories, “they found each ritual was linked to a 47 percent increase in the odds that children would have high so-called social-emotional health, which indicates good emotional and social skills.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           During the coronavirus quarantine lockdowns, my husband and I implemented Friday night movie nights for our three kids. It was a way to mark the never-ending weeks of family togetherness. The kids would get their plates of dinner and head into the playroom for movie night. My husband and I would enjoy a quiet dinner together, or watch our own movie in the living room. Even now, three years later, Fridays are often family movie nights, still a way to mark our time together as a family, though now they are a point of connection, rather than a break from one another.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The liturgical calendar is the same for the church. Every year, we remember what God has done. We begin our church year in Advent, as we prepare for Christmas: the joyful celebration of Christ’s incarnation, or Emmanuel, God with us. Then we celebrate Lent, preparing for Easter: the magnificent celebration of Christ’s death for our sin and resurrection as a victory over evil and death. We celebrate Pentecost, remembering that the Holy Spirit was sent to us in flames of fire and Holy Breath. We even call the time between fasting and feasting “Ordinary Time,” not because it is plain or simple but from the word ordinal, meaning numbered. We number our days not according to our timeframe but according to God’s work and his rhythms.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we move through the rhythm of preparation then celebration, we look to what God has always done for his people, bringing them through the wilderness to the Promised Land, and what God will continue to do, walking with us through the highs and lows of life. The liturgical calendar reminds us that the season we inhabit changes and ends and begins again. None of us can escape time but we rest in the fact that God is always present with us. Time ultimately reminds us that we can rest in the One who is not restricted by the clock by which we are often held captive. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The year-over-year rhythm of the calendar may feel repetitive and boring, but it is exactly this cycle of God’s time that forms us. In her book, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Quotidian-Mysteries-Laundry-Madeleva-Spirituality/dp/0809138018/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1VBR1NI4MHEQH&amp;amp;keywords=The+Quotidian+Mysteries%3A+Laundry%2C+Liturgy+and+%E2%80%9CWomen%E2%80%99s+Work%2C%E2%80%9D&amp;amp;qid=1684871892&amp;amp;sprefix=the+quotidian+mysteries+laundry%2C+liturgy+and+women+s+work%2C+%2Caps%2C124&amp;amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy and “Women’s Work,”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Kathleen Norris cites a newsletter about the habits of happily married couples: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The researchers found that only one activity seemed to make a consistent difference, in terms of the ability to maintain a stable, happy, long-lasting relationship, and that was simple affection, the embracing or kissing of one’s spouse at the beginning and end of each workday… the author of the article reports, ‘it didn’t seem to matter whether or not in that moment the partners were fully engaged or even sincere… Whatever you do repeatedly has the power to shape you, has the power to make you over into a different person— even if you’re not totally engaged in every minute.Norris goes on to point out that the liturgy of the Church and the calendar change us, “It is a paradox of human life that in worship, as in human love, it is in routine and the every day that we find the possibilities for the greatest transformation. Both worship and housework often seem perfunctory. And both, by the grace of God, may be anything but.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you are looking for ways to incorporate the rhythms and routines of the Liturgical Calendar with your family and children, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.storymakersnyc.com/shop-fun-extras/p/liturgical-calendar" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           StoryMakers has a beautiful calendar for you to use
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Using age-appropriate language and excellent design, your younger family members will see that they are not alone in their ups and downs, their waiting and their celebrations, in their numbered days and ordinary times, that the church itself is always moving through a pattern of God’s time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/cs/c/?cta_guid=0619409e-d627-4f70-98fd-6f2211c213d9&amp;amp;signature=AAH58kG03-1xUXA3pIpe8o4974UM5OXomQ&amp;amp;pageId=hubdb-78648122937-5439327-117892687724&amp;amp;placement_guid=f5fe8cd9-513b-4f87-b4fe-c9bf01a94093&amp;amp;click=5d8ab60c-e7b3-4f29-8405-a4f4308b9855&amp;amp;hsutk=7ee49f48c5abf6d739ce0c8a8bd992ff&amp;amp;canon=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.1517.org%2Farticles%2Fof-mundane-importance-how-god-uses-time&amp;amp;utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.1517.org%2Fsections%2F1517-articles&amp;amp;portal_id=5475273&amp;amp;redirect_url=APefjpFRNzQoc_pnNYpyBcqCfjkVX3ZXbrxVJiKfzkGmJVg1SN53bsOrgHhKU4v_3s9NFvyQRAOx6I_-H71UowvCj9_Yg8oBDOq3G5fVOdwwd3Q6Lgc49_6myRvHP01MmTP56sD6Kh0nW_kL-tyVRnJhTXGZyH42M6ESFOzlYI3f3JAIeZpALG28GOc8vL0F1O_3tARs80bz3h8t8WEYDGVYJk7UKx8gZUr0UyJ9aJ119a2HOo7G2cAyyZHTCYmrSLWuBovSMBUKA4aY3R0v11ABiPPd1o-lZkVYQMuFkYkAWPhzxzzTAn7gExvFF2q6XvftHZWAOoym" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Download StoryMakers Liturgical Calendar
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jane Grizzle is the mother of three and is a board member of StoryMakers NYC, which is dedicated to creating new ways to share God’s redemptive narrative found in the Bible. StoryMakers (www.storymakersnyc.com) hopes to equip families and churches to share the Gospel with kids in a way that is meaningful, healthy and ultimately draws children into God’s story. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/of-mundane-importance-how-god-uses-time" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/of-mundane-importance-how-god-uses-time
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 01 Jun 2023 14:16:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-6-1-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-31-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-31-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-31-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Living Forever...?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           'Do you want to live forever?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ’ was the catchy question leading into an article, ‘From Here to Eternity’ in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Weekend Australian
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            magazine, (May 27-28, 2023). ‘Coming back from the dead, then living as an immortal?’ the article begins. ‘It sounds like science fiction,’ the article continues, ‘but the pioneers behind this wild venture are true believers’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The article takes up personal stories of a small number who believe in the science of freezing their body at death, and holding it in ‘cryonic suspension’ until they are revived. This will be at a future time when science and medicine will have permanently addressed the issues of aging, disease, and death.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While almost all scientists reject such a development, two features stand out: only a very tiny number would benefit; second, given the world’s history of conflict and war, there is little hope that anyone ‘waking’ in fifty or three hundred years will find a world of just and lasting peace. Would we really want to live forever in such a world?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come with me to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 28 where, following his own resurrection from the dead, we read these astonishing words of Jesus: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He then laid out what we might call his royal mandate to his disciples that, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           going
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , they are to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           make disciples
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (28:18-19)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Significantly, embedded in Jesus’ commission is that 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           disciples
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            in all the nations are to be baptized 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           i
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           n the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            These words provide the key to a more assured hope of life everlasting in a world where true and lasting peace exists. Why do I say this?
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Significantly Jesus uses the singular word, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           name
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            in speaking of the three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This tells us that three persons constitute the one God. Everyone who is baptized is to be instructed in the
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            existence and the triune nature of God.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            It’s important we think about this.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his introduction to his Gospel, Matthew records that Jesus is of royal human lineage – a descendent of Israel’s King David. Furthermore, before Jesus was born, an angel had appeared to Joseph who was wondering if he should marry Mary because she was pregnant and he wasn’t the father. The angel informed him that Mary’s baby was conceived 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           from the Holy Spirit
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and that the boy was to be named Jesus 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           for he will
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           deliver his people from their sins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Matthew 1:20f).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We also learn that even though Jesus was conceived in a way no other human has ever been conceived, he was born in the same way we were. His flesh and blood were conceived by the Holy Spirit, so that even when there was only one cell of him in the womb of his mother Mary, that cell was fully human and fully divine.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He wasn’t some spiritual hybrid, half man and half God, like the mythical centaur, half horse and half man. Rather, Jesus was 100% human, and 100% divine — or as the Nicene creed puts it: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Very God of very God; begotten not made…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            And as Matthew’s Gospel unfolds, we learn that
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           at his baptism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the Spirit of God descended
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           on him 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           like a dove… and a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (3:16, 17). Furthermore, when the imprisoned John the Baptist asked if Jesus was truly the promised Messiah, Jesus responded with words from a messianic prophecy in Isaiah 35: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them, and blessed is the one who is not offended by me’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Matthew 11:4-6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Furthermore,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           when Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , the Son of the living God, Jesus responded, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Matthew 16:17).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We can see why Jesus taught with the richest understanding of the Old Testament law and its application – as we find in his Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7). We can understand why he taught with power and authority and could heal the sick and overcome the forces of evil with a word of command. He could walk on water, still a raging storm, and even raise the dead to life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            In every situation throughout his public life,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus revealed a profound understanding of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and the true nature of humanity. When challenged by the finest theological and legal minds, he outclassed them – and not least when they tempted him with a ‘Gotcha’ question.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His teaching and his miracles, the profundity and power of his words, his compassion for the poor and the sick, reveal someone who stands unique in history.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, HG Wells, author of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The War of the Worlds
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Time Machine
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            observed, ‘I am an historian. I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Throughout his public life Jesus also revealed a power and authority that are not simply unique but are signs of the supernatural. Supremely
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           his resurrection from the dead testifies to this.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            He alone has broken through the barrier of death thus opening a future for all who truly turn to him.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            That the life beyond the grave he offers will be one of true and lasting peace is assured by the nature of the relationship between the three Persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Throughout eternity they enjoy perfect harmony and peace
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           with one another, for unlike the relationships amongst the pagan gods, there is no envy or jealousy, tension or conflict between them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In our world of ongoing injustice and conflict, sickness and death, the remarkable advances of science and medicine seem to offer us some hope for a longer life. But do they offer what we really long for – a life for ever in a perfectly restored world where peace reigns?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is the triune God who made us to enjoy him who, in his love holds out the key to our future. It is Christ who has opened the way for us to enter God’s presence; it is the Spirit who, working with the word of the gospel, opens our eyes to this wonderful truth, and now lives within us (Romans 8:9). It is in coming to know this triune God that we find a sure hope for life beyond the grave – a hope that awakens within us a true joy and an inner and lasting peace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer for Trinity Sunday:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Almighty and everlasting God, you have given us your servants grace by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and by your divine power to worship you as One: we pray that you would keep us steadfast in this faith and evermore defend us from all adversities; through Christ our Lord. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Amen
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/living-forever/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/living-forever/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 31 May 2023 12:27:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-31-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-30-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-30-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-30-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Uprooted
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One spring, I transplanted a hydrangea. It was a last-minute decision, and the attempt involved my digging a hole in one dirt patch, then extracting the plant from another dirt patch in the fifteen minutes I had until my husband came home for dinner. One of my mistakes was trying to take the entire root system with the plant; the root ball was so large that it fell apart as I dragged it across the lawn, endangering the bush’s life. In trying to take everything, I learned that it’s safer for the plant and for the gardener to take less. To transplant a big bush, you have to cut off some of the roots in order to get the plant to the new location intact. Deracinating—losing roots—is part of moving.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When people move, our roots also have to be cut. We need to let go of places, things, and even relationships with people in order to get to our new location in one piece. This is painful. We call this transplanting pain “homesickness.” Missing “home” and family are common causes, but a host of other things can contribute: customs, food, language, climate, and so on, can all aggravate the feeling of being displaced.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you, like so many around this world, have been uprooted from your home and community, you may be facing temptations to discouragement, self-pity, or frustration as you are forced to let go of the known and put out roots into the unknown. Here are some biblical truths that can help homesick hearts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Though we may be taken aback by a move, God is not. He planned this for us. The Westminster Shorter Catechism says that He “govern[s] all his creatures, and all their actions” (Q&amp;amp;A 16). That means that God not only led you to this new place, but He also cares for and directs you here. “If you have faith in Christ,” D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says, “you will not resent the fact that life is a pilgrimage, but will rather rejoice that it is so, because you will know that the pilgrimage is but a part of your exodus . . . from Egypt into Canaan.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For me, one of the hard things about moving is not idealizing the “old place.” This was especially difficult when we moved from the Scottish Highlands to a small town in the American Midwest. There, the only castle was White Castle. The only topography was a ditch. What an awful move, I thought.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The church is a big part of God’s answer for our struggles. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But meditating on Christ’s incarnation gave my move perspective. Of all the people who have ever moved, Christ went from the greater to the unspeakably lesser, with no place to lay His head (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%208%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 8:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). “Thrones for a manger didst surrender, Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor,” the hymn says. Christ willingly made that move for our salvation; He can help us be faithful in our little relocations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer is essential. Pray with thanks that the Lord has brought you to this place, and acknowledge His leading and providential care for you. Pour out your anxieties and griefs to Him—He has been tempted in every way as you have, and He remembers your frame. He knows that you are dust. Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Peter%205%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Peter 5:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Pray that you would be fruitful where you are, and ask God to bless you in your new location.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The church is a big part of God’s answer for our struggles. Find a local, Bible-believing, and gospel-preaching church to join, and do it quickly—before you move, ideally. The church is the body of Christ, and if you are not connected to it, you will suffer. You need the preached Word, the ministry of the sacraments, and the fellowship of other believers to feed your soul. Without them, you will shrivel up, even with private Scripture reading and prayer during the week. Neglecting the local church will also likely turn you in on yourself. It is easy to feel sorry for yourself when you are homesick and do not really know anyone else. Being plugged in to a congregation puts your situation into perspective as you see other believers fight cancer, suffer in a hard marriage, and walk through their unique trials.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My hydrangea survived, rescued by my husband. The plant went from sticking up in an awkward spot to settling in beside the front door. But we had not uprooted it for nothing. It experienced growth and produced beauty in its new location.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For the Christian, moving can be more than boxes, sweat, and tears. If we are in the Word, prayer, and healthy fellowship, then moving can be a time of spiritual growth. Instead of being torn apart by the experience, we can have hearts that become more tender toward the God who relocated us. God only transplants His people so that they can grow deeper in Him and bear more fruit. The habits and principles we have discussed are vital to ordinary Christian life; how much more when we have been uprooted and need a regrounding in Scripture’s precious truths?
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/uprooted" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/uprooted
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 30 May 2023 14:19:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-30-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-29-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-29-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-29-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hate Sin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2045:7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 45:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Be angry and do not sin.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/EPH.4.26-31.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians 4:26)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            There can hardly be goodness in a man if he is not angered by sin; he who loves truth must hate every false way. How our Lord Jesus hated it when the temptation came! Three times it assailed Him in different forms, but He responded with, “Be gone, Satan.” He hated it in others, no less fervently by showing His hatred often more in tears of pity than in words of rebuke; yet what language could be more stern, more Elijah-like, than such words as, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He hated wickedness so much that He bled to wound it to the heart; He died that it might die; He was buried that He might bury it in His tomb; and He rose that He might forever trample it beneath His feet. Christ is in the Gospel, and that Gospel is opposed to wickedness in every shape. Wickedness arrays itself in fine clothes and imitates the language of holiness; but the precepts of Jesus, like His famous scourge of small cords, chase it out of the temple and will not tolerate it in the church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, too, in the heart where Jesus reigns, what a war is waged between Christ and Satan! And when our Redeemer shall come to be our Judge, those thundering words, “Depart from me, you cursed” that are, indeed, but a prolongation of His life-teaching concerning sin shall manifest His abhorrence of iniquity. As warm as His love is to sinners, so hot is His hatred of sin; as perfect as is His righteousness, so complete shall be the destruction of every form of wickedness. Glorious champion of right, and destroyer of wrong, for this cause God has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your fellows.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/29/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/29/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 29 May 2023 13:45:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-29-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-26-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-26-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-26-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do You Care Too Much?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2055:22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 55:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Care, even when addressed to legitimate matters, if it is carried to excess, has in it the nature of sin. Again and again Jesus exhorted His followers to avoid anxious care. The apostles reiterated the call; and it is one that cannot be neglected without involving transgression: For the very essence of anxious care is imagining that we are wiser than God and putting ourselves in His place as if we could do for Him what He has undertaken to do for us. We attempt to think of things that we imagine Him forgetting; we work to take upon ourselves a heavy burden, as if He were unable or unwilling to take it for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now this disobedience to His plain precept, this unbelief in His Word, this presumption that intrudes upon His province, is all sinful. But more than this, anxious care often leads to acts of sin. If we cannot calmly leave our affairs in God’s hand but attempt to carry our own burden, we will be tempted to use wrong means to help ourselves. This sin leads to a forsaking of God as our counselor and resorting instead to human wisdom. This is going to the broken well instead of to the fountain, a sin of which Israel was guilty in the past.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Anxiety makes us doubt God’s loving-kindness, and so our love to Him grows cold; we feel mistrust, and in this we grieve the Spirit of God, so that our prayers are hindered, our consistent example spoiled, and our life one of self-seeking. Such lack of confidence in God leads us to wander far from Him; but if through simple faith in His promise we cast each burden as it comes upon Him and are “not . . . anxious about anything” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PHP.4.6.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Philippians 4:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) because He undertakes to care for us, it will keep us close to Him and strengthen us against temptation. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.26.3.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 26:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/26/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/26/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 26 May 2023 12:19:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-26-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-25-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-25-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-25-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Plagiarizing Jesus: The Gift of the Lord's Prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord’s prayer is a prayer in perfect accord with the will of God, and Jesus gifts it to us to plagiarize at will.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ben Franklin’s oft-repeated motto, “Remember that time is money,” requires a serious upgrade. Today, text is money. Intellectual property (IP) rights are the new cash cow, not the time clock. It seems a shame that Jesus didn’t have a financial advisor to counsel him on such matters. If he would have only trademarked 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%203%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 3:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            or monetized himself as an “influencer” and cashed in on his public image and words! Think of what kind of financial legacy he could have bequeathed the church from the royalties gathered by the protected use of the Golden Rule. But, alas, so far from retaining the intellectual property rights to his best material, Jesus forfeits all, instructing every disciple to plagiarize, even the Lord’s Prayer. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus had an excellent reason to cultivate generations of serial plagiarizers. His disciples are to be plagiarizers, but with this one significant difference: because he gives his Word as a sheer gift, there is no violation of the second, seventh, eighth or tenth commandments. Violation of the commandments happens when we intentionally take someone else’s documented material and claim it as our own, purposing to deceive others as we steal, cheat, and lie amidst our covetousness of another’s intellectual property. That has nothing to do with the kind of plagiarism our Lord encourages, especially with the Lord’s Prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus forfeits all, instructing every disciple to plagiarize, even the Lord’s Prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our Good Shepherd intends for us to take this prayer upon our lips and entrench it within our hearts through over-learning because “we do not know what to pray for as we ought” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%208%3A26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 8:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It’s because we don’t have the words that he gives us the words themselves to shore up our confidence that our heavenly Father hears us, indeed, clearly hears us amidst our ignorance, inability, and inarticulateness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Plagiarizing Jesus’ prayer assuages several troubling dynamics for everyone who finds themselves failingly sinful and yet also declared righteous before God. First, there is a divine expectation that we converse and commune with God. Jesus gets at this when he says, as a statement of fact, “When you pray …” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%2011%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 11:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Note that he didn’t say, “If you pray” or “Should you like to pray.” No, the disciples of Jesus will be praying. It’s expected. But then the second dynamic, the troubling one, namely that we do not and cannot pray as we ought because we are constantly sinning in thought, word, and deed, even while justified in this life on account of Jesus’ righteousness and blood atonement. What then is the solution to the prayer dilemma? Christ must fulfill even the lex orandi (“the rule of prayer”) on our behalf.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus not only fulfills the law of prayer and wins for us the Holy Spirit who, with the Son, ever makes intercession for us (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%208%3A26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 8:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%208%3A34/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 8:34
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20John%202%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 2:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Heb.%207%3A25/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 7:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), but he also bequeaths to us the perfect prayer as an availing entreaty to our heavenly Father. Jesus covers all the bases for us when it comes to prayer so that we may know we are the children of God and he hears us: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20John%205%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 5:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The Lord’s prayer is a prayer in perfect accord with the will of God, and Jesus gifts it to us to plagiarize at will.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fabricating a prayer as one “ought” is an impossible task because it falls under the domain of the law. It is something you ought to do — that is, it is a divine expectation that must be fulfilled. Now consider what the standard is for serving God: Perfection. “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%205%3A48/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 5:48
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). What are we required to do in terms of the law? All of it and not only outwardly but inwardly as a disposition of the heart: “You shall therefore love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Mark%2012%3A30/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 12:30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Praying as we ought, then, is utterly impossible under the law.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thanks be to God that Christ has liberated us from even the “oughtness” of prayer and, with his own words, has transformed our ignorant stammering into a soul-satisfying communing with God through the plagiarized words of that Word made flesh.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is why every Christian feels, in a visceral as well as cognitive way, the insufficiency of their prayers. That is our simul iustus nature, as Luther put it. Our words are failing and ill-suited because we so often live by sight and not by faith. Our approach to the Holy One is undeniably contrived and ill-mannered; our speech muddled and imprecise. But thanks be to God that Christ has liberated us from even the “oughtness” of prayer and, with his own words, has transformed our ignorant stammering into a soul-satisfying communing with God through the plagiarized words of that Word made flesh. In gifting us with the perfect prayer that perfectly accords with the will of God, Jesus has turned our imperfect prayers from the point of failing condemnation into a sweet gift of the gospel, from an exercise in insecurity to one of confident security. By plagiarizing the prayer, Jesus gave to his disciples.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was once said that it is really the “Disciples’ Prayer” because disciples are to be the ones praying it. But this misses the point of the gospel. Jesus prayed this prayer first, taking prayer as an institution that once underscored human failure and insufficiency, fulfilling it himself for “the prayer of a righteous man avails much” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/James%205%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           James 5:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Christ our righteousness (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%203%3A26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 3:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), then transferred prayer to us as an instance of pure gospel. In this way, it is the Lord’s Prayer. And, now, it is ours to plagiarize when we pray so that we may be sure that whatever else we may have prayed, it is bound up with a prayer that undoubtedly accords with the will of God and, what is more, is a prayer tethered to the availing mediation of Christ Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           *The substance of this article is adapted from Rev. Paul Willweber’s “All Theology is Plagiarism” paper presented at the (25 April) 2010 Catechism Convocation on the Lord’s Prayer at Trinity Lutheran Church, Whittier, CA. Willweber is the parish minister at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in San Diego.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/plagiarizing-jesus-the-gift-of-the-lords-prayer" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/plagiarizing-jesus-the-gift-of-the-lords-prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 25 May 2023 14:19:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-25-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-24-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-24-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-24-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Near-Death Experience and a Nagging Question
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus is the only answer to the nagging question. He is the only way to make sense of this unsettling story in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Exodus%204/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Exodus 4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There’s an unsettling story near the end of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Exodus%204/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Exodus 4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            that I doubt you were taught in Sunday School. Here’s what happened. God had just visited Moses in the burning bush and told him he knew his people’s oppression—enough was enough! God would rescue his people from slavery, and he would use Moses to do it. So Moses was sent back to Egypt, but on his way, “the LORD met him and sought to put him to death” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ex.%204%3A24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 4:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Huh? Didn’t God just call him? Why did God suddenly go on the hunt? Moses, however, was spared. Moses’ wife, Zipporah, took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin, and touched Moses’ feet with it. “So he let Moses alone” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ex.%204%3A26a/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 4:26a
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). No wonder we weren’t taught this story in Sunday School—it’s scary and confusing! God’s out-of-control behavior plants a nagging question in the back of our minds. We can’t help but wonder, “Could this happen to me?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What’s behind the uncertainty is our constant craving for control, which betrays our desire to approach God through the law. The only way to make sense of this story, we assume, is to find the action, the work, or the law that we can perform to save ourselves. But, to use Dr. Steven Paulson’s adjective, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/podcasts/outlawgod" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           our God is an “outlaw” God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . He will not let you find that key of obedient law-keeping to unlock the door of his mercy. No, instead, God swallows the key and flings the door wide open in Jesus. No law can keep you safe from an “outlaw” God, and this story isn’t asking you to find one. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Think about Moses’ near-death experience in this way: what stood between Moses and God’s wrath was the blood of an intercessor. Dr. Reed Lessing, in his book, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/This-Our-Story-Song-Insights/dp/0758672934" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deliver Us: God’s Rescue Story in Exodus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , makes the point that this event in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Exodus%204/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Exodus 4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            gives us a foretaste of the Passover in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Exodus%2012/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Exodus 12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : “Moses experienced Passover before Passover” (pg. 71). The fact that Moses was redeemed by means of blood anticipates God’s gracious provision for his people during the tenth and final plague, where the blood of an intercessory lamb redeemed Israel’s firstborns from the Destroyer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Moses and Israel both needed the blood of an intercessor, and so do we. Both stories in Exodus point us to a greater, more personal reality. Jesus is the final and ultimate Passover Lamb, who stands between us and God’s wrath. His blood, which was shed on the cross, “cleanses us from all sin” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20John%201%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 1:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). To quote the song “Lion Man” by Ghost Ship, “Weep no more, the wrath is on the tree. Weep no more, there’s no more left for me.” It was the Father’s loving and gracious will to put his Son to death. Not you. Never you. Because of Jesus, you are forgiven and will live! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus is the only answer to the nagging question. He is the only way to make sense of this unsettling story in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Exodus%204/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Exodus 4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Instead of having you look for some law to save you, God, through the stories of Moses’ near-death experience and the Passover, is graciously depriving you of your ability to save yourself, removing your fear, and drawing you closer in faith to himself. Your salvation is not left up to chance or possibility. It is certain, inked in the blood of Jesus, your Intercessor, and Passover Lamb.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/a-near-death-experience-and-a-nagging-question" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/a-near-death-experience-and-a-nagging-question
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 May 2023 15:44:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-24-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-23-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-23-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-23-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An Apologetic for Education
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our great God is worthy of all praise (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2019%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 19:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Isa.%206%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 6:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). We long for everyone on earth to know and worship Him, for that is His due. God created human beings in His image to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever. If we are to fulfill that wonderful end, we need to learn of God, His works, and His ways. One generation is to pass on that eternal treasure to the next as David declared:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,  and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another,  and shall declare your mighty acts. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%20145%3A3%E2%80%934/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 145:3–4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If each generation is to learn of God, each needs to be able to read His Word. Each needs to learn of God’s mighty deeds in history. Each generation needs to explore His astonishing wisdom in creation. If each generation is to be equipped to love their neighbor, they need to be trained in all the competencies that enable societies to function well. The creation mandate calls us to develop the earth’s resources responsibly, for the glory of the great King of all the earth, and for the blessing of the people made in His image. If we are to fulfill the creation mandate well, we are to pass knowledge from generation to generation. There is always more to learn, discover, explore, and develop.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Glorious Vision
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Education is how we can learn of God and His world. It is a way to glorify Him and better serve others. It brings glory to God as we explore the frontiers of science and knowledge. God’s glorious creation is infinitely complex and beautiful, and there is more to discover and enjoy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through the last two thousand years, Christians have been at the forefront of promoting education for all. We have a clear vision of our purpose as human beings: to glorify God and serve others. We have a clear vision of our identity as human beings: created in God’s image. He has endowed us with reason. Yes, we are fallen. But even sinful human beings can study and learn, and, in God’s common grace, achieve great things.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles#fn1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            We have a solid basis for epistemology(the basis for knowing anything): there is knowledge because the Creator has laid down laws and patterns, the cosmos is designed, and it is orderly. We have a solid foundation for morality: God has written His moral law on tablets of stone, and also on every human heart. The moral law of God, summarized in the Ten Commandments, is for all peoples, at all times, in every place.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If each generation is to learn of God, each needs to be able to read His Word. Each needs to learn of God’s mighty deeds in history. Each generation needs to explore His astonishing wisdom in creation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is important for us to observe that the humanistic worldview is not neutral. The lie that there is no God leads straight to the lie that there is no absolute morality, and there is no ultimate truth. That undermines the foundation of the educational enterprise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Practical Commitment
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From the inception of Christianity, education was seen as a priority. In the centuries after the collapse of the Roman Empire and in subsequent centuries, the church provided rigorous schooling for many. Christians want people to be able to read the Bible for themselves and in their own language. They pioneered female education in many nations, which has played a major role in elevating the dignity of women. The earliest universities were all built on Christian foundations. Vishal Mangalwadi, an Indian scholar who converted to Christianity, writes: “Western missions . . . birthed, financed, and nurtured hundreds of universities, thousands of colleges and tens of thousands of schools. They educated millions and transformed nations.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles#fn2" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Scientific Enterprise
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We reason, observe, experiment, deduce, speak, infer, argue, communicate, love, and relate because God has endowed every human being with the capacity to reason. The cosmos can be investigated, discovered, and explored because it is created by God who is characterized by order, truth, reason, and beauty. He has provided an astonishing array of natural resources to be developed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Modern science arose because men such as Kepler, Newton, and Faraday believed that the whole universe is like a book written by God, waiting to be read and understood by people made in His image. It can only be understood because the faithful God ensures that it functions according to reliable principles. “[The Son] upholds the universe by the word of his power” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Heb.%201%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 1:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Still, today, there are many committed Christians deeply involved in scientific endeavor.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Conclusion
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In conclusion, we are all called on to learn of God and His works and His ways. Learning is a life-long endeavor, as there is always more to learn. We are called to pass on that knowledge to the next generation, so that they too may glorify and serve God and be well-equipped to serve others. The hymn writer and educationalist, Isaac Watts, wrote this reminder:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Your God, O Zion, ever reigns! Let every voice, let every age, In this exalted work engage: Praise Him in everlasting strains!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles#fn3" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ol&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Calvin, Institutes, Vol. 1 explains that we give God the glory when we benefit from the knowledge attained even by unbelievers.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            This is a bold claim, but ample evidence to support it can be found in Mangalwadi’s The Book That Made Your World, as well as in the chapter on education in my book How Christianity Transformed the World.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Isaac Watts, “
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Psalm%20146/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            Psalm 146
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            .”
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ol&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/apologetic-for-education" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/apologetic-for-education
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 May 2023 12:51:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-23-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-22-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-22-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-22-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Asking ‘Why?’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He led them by a straight way.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%20107:7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 107:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Changing circumstances often causes the anxious believer to ask, “Why is this happening to me?” I looked for light, but darkness came; for peace, but faced trouble. I said in my heart, my mountain stands firm, I shall never be moved. Lord, You hide Your face, and I am troubled. Only yesterday I could read my title clearly; but today my evidences are blurred, and my hopes are clouded. Yesterday I could climb the mountain and view the landscape and rejoice with confidence in my future inheritance; today my spirit has no hopes, but many fears; no joys, but great distress. Is this part of God’s plan for me? Can this be the way in which God would bring me to heaven?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yes, it is even so. The eclipse of your faith, the darkness of your mind, the fainting of your hope—all these things are just parts of God’s method of making you ready for the great inheritance, which you will soon enjoy. These trials are for the testing and strengthening of your faith—they are waves that wash you further upon the rock—they are winds that steer your ship more quickly toward the desired haven. What David wrote then will be true of you: “he brought them to their desired haven” (verse 30). By honor and dishonor, by evil report and by good report, by plenty and by poverty, by joy and by distress, by persecution and by peace—by all these things your spiritual life is maintained, and by each of these you are helped on your way.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do not think, believer, that your sorrows are out of God’s plan; they are necessary parts of it. “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom.” (Acts 14:22). Learn, then, to “count it all joy … when you meet trials of various kinds.” (James 1:2)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           O let my trembling soul be still,﻿﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          ﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And trust Thy wise, Thy holy will!﻿﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          ﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           I cannot, Lord, Thy purpose see,﻿﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          ﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet all is well since ruled by Thee. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/22/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/22/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 May 2023 16:50:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-22-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sports &amp; Concert schedule 5-20-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sports-concert-schedule-5-20-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI sports &amp;amp; concert schedule 5-20-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI sports &amp;amp; concert schedule:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWZ2NmJzdkFjT29iWTY0R0JldkVhcV9sY3JtZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuYVhROUJGZmlXNzNDblMycVhsWEFhUjlqTkhrNkVzSmh0MFV0T2hPY3NnQmlXbnZ6NE9IWVJ0aUgyY3NrUzdRc1FURTNFZFF3UjNCVnJMbF9jT0JfelJQNHNsRzA3TVhJY0Y5MjU4elcxNUpyZlZFVQ&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2Fmajor-sports-leagues-and-events-schedules&amp;amp;v=5gcolSHJ2mM" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/major-sports-lea...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Gospel Invasion &amp;amp; Concerts:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUtTVHRFY2FJNDVGRzRhRDdKSE9oWjdqTjZ5d3xBQ3Jtc0ttMlJRVTEwdWtOeGZKWEVBU1VnRmVFTUlDUy1qQTVlVkozNzVmcW9EN3R5NHNOdWdaa3o5eS1JQTBwdnE5T2xHT2R2bzdXM1AycmxCaWh4UWpMNWxldVhJZVNqaE5icVNTNXNuYVJxV2ZwSm5jd3hTYw&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fsfoi.org%2Fgospelinvasionevents&amp;amp;v=5gcolSHJ2mM" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/gospelinvasionevents
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI Events:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbk9qdGpJdEV6M0QzdFhHdUNNYlQtVVlWeHZLUXxBQ3Jtc0ttWUxHclU4dG0tMUZGQXRQS21pbDR2NDBONERWbWhKRlFkYkhLR015cFpaSjg5RHFOSHo2N3dfcTdSV0JDcUdqaXlQTGM0cWNpWi1jbE1zbVlxT2lnVnlhcExVQTJiTklJSDA4anh4QkZySWhzLUpUWQ&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fsfoi.org%2Fevents&amp;amp;v=5gcolSHJ2mM" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/events
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI 1000 MLB:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXFlS0lZZm52R0dlUk1yQVdVVW5iNUs1dllBQXxBQ3Jtc0tsZUFQQUt5a1oxQWVpYXZMVmFGckxrdFAtQ2hMaTBKQ0c3endsS3luU1YxMGtvNS00aTFkS0xreXNhczdLc1NENFNDQ0J5NEhoY0pMdlJNUXJSZkZVQXFtbjNNd2NVZklKdlBrOGhwNkpGM1Y5QW1UWQ&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2Fmlb-1000&amp;amp;v=5gcolSHJ2mM" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI 1000 MLS:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFkzNm9DYjd5cHBUVnl5bFZxREUxcGNYZ0JqUXxBQ3Jtc0tuTUJfVFZucGZLRVV2Sm0yd2lFRlZSSUFFSXFPUGRrZGx6ZHN0VzJzeml3bDZxa1hSZHNxTzg1ekZHVUpzQVYzSVJTM09xREFiQjMtbHVVaTUzUEVON2xlaTloWlhsVVFVQldCRW9pZkpIRnl2QUVBaw&amp;amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2Fmls&amp;amp;v=5gcolSHJ2mM" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/mls
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/jesusislord" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #jesusislord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/greatcommission" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #greatcommission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/openairpreaching" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #openairpreaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/evangelism" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #evangelism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/christianevangelism" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #christianevangelism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/christianity" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #christianity
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SBO-23+-+Larry+Helmuth.jpg" length="249454" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 20 May 2023 12:23:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sports-concert-schedule-5-20-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SBO-23+-+Larry+Helmuth.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SBO-23+-+Larry+Helmuth.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-19-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-19-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-19-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Upstarts and the Truly Great
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Ecclesiastes%2010:7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ecclesiastes 10:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Upstarts frequently steal the highest places, while the truly great struggle in obscurity. This is a riddle in providence whose solution will one day gladden the hearts of the upright; but it is so common a fact that none of us should complain if we face the experience. When our Lord was on earth, although He is the Prince of the kings of the earth, yet He walked the footpath of weariness and service as the Servant of servants.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It should then be no surprise if His followers, who are princes in His line, should also be looked down upon as inferior and contemptible persons. The world is upside-down, and therefore the first are last and the last first. Consider how the servile sons of Satan lord it in the earth! What a high horse they ride! How they exalt themselves. David wanders on the mountains, while Saul reigns in state; Elijah is complaining in the cave, while Jezebel is boasting in the palace. Yet who would wish to take the places of the proud rebels? And who, on the other hand, might not envy the despised saints? When the wheel turns, those who are lowest rise, and the highest sink. Patience, then, believer, eternity will right the wrongs of time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let us not fall into the error of letting our passions and sinful appetites ride in triumph, while our nobler powers walk in the dust. Grace must reign as a prince and make the members of our bodies instruments of righteousness. The Holy Spirit loves order, and He therefore sets our powers and faculties in proper rank and place, giving the highest room to those spiritual faculties that link us with the great King; let us not disturb the divine arrangement but ask for grace to keep our body under control and bring it into subjection. We were not made new to allow our passions to rule over us, but in order that, as kings, we may reign in Christ Jesus over the triple kingdom of spirit, soul, and body, to the glory of God the Father.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/19/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/19/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 19 May 2023 12:12:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-19-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sports &amp; Concert Schedule - 5-18-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sports-concert-schedule-5-18-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is a subtitle for your new post
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            https://youtSFOI sports schedule:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/major-sports-leagues-and-events-schedules" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/major-sports-leagues-and-events-schedules
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Gospel Invasion &amp;amp; Concerts:
          &#xD;
    &lt;a href="/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/gospelinvasionevents
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI Events:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/events
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          SFOI 1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           MLB: https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI 1000
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           MLS: https://www.sfoi.org/mls
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          #JesusisLord #GreatCommission #openairpreaching #evangelism #Christianevangelism #Christianity
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png" length="87392" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 May 2023 13:11:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sports-concert-schedule-5-18-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-18-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-18-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-18-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More Than You Can Handle
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God wants his word of promise to be the only thing we bank on, the only thing we have confidence in.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Of all the so-called “Christian” mottos that I wish would die a cruel death and disappear forever, number one on that list is, God won’t give you more than you can handle. The motivation behind this slogan is understandable, perhaps. This saying is something you might whip out whenever a friend is enduring an especially rough patch of life. “God won’t give you more than you can handle” is, in that context, meant to be an encouragement. “You can make it through because you’re made of tough stuff!” In fact, one very famous Houston-based preacher put it like this: “God will not give you more than you can handle. If you have a big challenge today, that means you have a big destiny.” As uplifting and encouraging as that may be, though, “God won’t give you more than you can handle” is, perhaps, the most untrue thing you could say to someone who’s suffering. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You won’t find that message anywhere in the Bible. While you might be quick to reference 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Corinthians%2010%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Corinthians 10:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , that verse actually has nothing to do with suffering and everything to do with temptation. “God won’t give you more than you can handle” simply doesn’t hold water, both biblically and experientially. There have been a slew of seasons in my own life where it felt as though God was pouring it on, where I was given way more than I could handle. I’m sure you could say the same. This, I think, is one of the reasons we have the Bible — namely, so that we can see that this experience of being “so utterly burdened beyond our strength” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor.%201%3A8%E2%80%939/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 1:8–9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) is not at all rare or uncommon to the faith. Rather, it is part and parcel of our faith in God. And there is probably no better example of this in all of Scripture than the Old Testament character of Gideon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Before getting to Gideon, it’s crucial to understand the circumstances in which he served as a judge over Israel. For seven years, Midianite raiders ransacked Israel’s farmlands (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%206%3A1%E2%80%935/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 6:1–5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This would become a cruel annual holiday, of sorts, with Israel’s farmsteads regularly being “laid to waste” by enemy invaders, leaving them with nothing and bringing them to their wits’ end. The people’s cries “to the Lord” are answered in the form of a prophet, sent by Yahweh with a rather uncomfortable message (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%206%3A7%E2%80%9310/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 6:7–10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). In short, Israel’s current state of affairs were self-inflicted. The ravaging of their homes and their lands was a direct result of their rebellion against the One True God. It is in this state of desperation and devastation that God raises up the most unlikely deliverer. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When we are introduced to Gideon, he’s participating in the covert operations to which Israel had resorted (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%206%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 6:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This is a sign of things to come with Gideon, who, as we’ll see, is “a most unheroic hero” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Judges-Great-Salvation-Focus-Bible/dp/1845501381/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dale Ralph Davis
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). As Gideon threshes wheat in a winepress, the “angel of the Lord” appears in front of him and strikes up a conversation with him — and right away Gideon reveals the doubtful dude he is. “Please, sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” Gideon hopelessly inquires. “But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%206%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 6:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Greeted by a messenger from heaven who seeks to encourage him with God’s presence, his gaze is focused on all the apparent evidences of God’s absence. “The Lord’s not with us!” he exclaims. “Look around, he’s forgotten us! He’s forsaken us!” This, of course, was more than just Gideon’s opinion; this was the common sentiment within Israel, he just gave voice to it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To every one of Gideon’s protests, the angel offers the same promise: “Yahweh is with you.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The angel disregards the questions and goes right on affirming Gideon’s calling: “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%206%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 6:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Gideon protests yet again, this time pointing to the apparent weakness, obscurity of his family (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%206%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 6:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). “You’ve got the wrong guy,” he moans. But, yet again, the angel repeats the same set of words (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%206%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 6:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). To every one of Gideon’s protests, the angel offers the same promise: “Yahweh is with you.” Indeed, from the very beginning of this conversation, the angel has made it clear what force would propel Gideon to fulfill such a daunting task — namely, the “with-ness” of the Lord. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Calling Gideon a hero is a bit of a misnomer because all of his bravery originates in the word of promise given to him by the angel. He had no valor of his own of which to speak or in which to trust. It was precisely the presence of the Lord that would enable Gideon to realize a sweeping triumph over Israel’s oppressors. And yet, despite all the assurances of divine presence and power, Gideon’s doubts remain. His first response to the angel’s words was to ask for a sign (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%206%3A17%E2%80%9318/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 6:17–18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Apparently, a heavenly word from a heavenly messenger was not sufficient to quell his fears; he required something more, something “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h226/kjv/wlc/0-1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           miraculous
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ” even.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The angel agrees to wait around while Gideon prepares a meal for him, complete with roasted goat and freshly baked bread. When the last pinch of garnish is in place, the meal is brought before the angel, who proceeds to touch the table setting with the staff that was in his hand, vaporizing everything! In a flash, a fireball consumes the entire entrée — even the angel has disappeared (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%206%3A19%E2%80%9321/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 6:19–21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Suddenly, Gideon has an epiphany: “Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the Lord” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%206%3A22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 6:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He realizes that his dinner guest was no mere messenger from heaven. This was “The Angel of the Lord,” Mal’āḵ Yahweh, a pre-incarnate appearance of the only begotten Son of God (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%206%3A22%E2%80%9324/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 6:22–24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Now the weight of Gideon’s calling comes into full view. Though he was a weak and insignificant nobody, he’d been summoned by God himself to bring about Israel’s deliverance. And he wouldn’t set out to accomplish this feat on his own. He had God’s word of promise: “I will be with you.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord, then, gives Gideon his first test, charging him with destroying the altars of Baal and Asherah that had been erected in his own hometown (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%206%3A25%E2%80%9332/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 6:25–32
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). What’s fascinating about Operation Idol Destruction is that it plainly identifies where Israel’s biggest problem was. Word on the street was Midian was mobilizing its forces for yet another raid. But prior to dealing with that threat, God’s first assignment for Judge Gideon was Gideon’s own backyard. Israel’s biggest enemy wasn’t Midian, it was Israel’s own idolatry and iniquity. What would it matter if they were free from enemy oppression if they were still enslaved to sin? Nevertheless, with the Midianites marauders on the move, the time had come for Gideon to march out and face them (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%206%3A33%E2%80%9335/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 6:33–35
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Make no mistake: “fleecing God” is not a sign of faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This brings us to Gideon’s second request for a sign from God with his infamous request concerning the fleece: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then Gideon said to God, ‘If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.’ And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water. Then Gideon said to God, ‘Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew.’ And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%206%3A36%E2%80%9340/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 6:36–40
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Notwithstanding what you’ve been told about this moment, make no mistake: “fleecing God” is not a sign of faith. This isn’t a “go and do likewise” event. Actually, this is another example of Gideon’s weak and faint-hearted faith. Even after all the assurances he’s already been given, with Yahweh himself coming down to single him out as Israel’s chosen deliverer, Gideon doubted. The Lord’s unconditional promise did little to galvanize Gideon’s courage, as he responds to God’s calling with a series of conditional requests: “If you will save . . . If there is dew . . . Then I shall know” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%206%3A36%E2%80%9337/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 6:36–37
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Gideon is searching for the assurance he’s already been given. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Perhaps the most stunning part of this whole “sign of the fleece” ordeal is the fact that God answers Gideon’s requests withoutreprimanding him. This whole scene is an unmistakable example of God’s grace. “And it was so . . . And God did so” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%206%3A38%2C%2040/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 6:38, 40
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). To each of Gideon’s quaking petitions, God graciously answers. Ours is a God who is unashamed to condescend to our places of doubt and dread in order to remind us of his word of promise for us. Yes, even if that means he has to take on flesh. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With that, you might be given to think that God was through with testing Gideon. With such a “Herculean task” ahead of him, what good could possibly come from putting more of a strain on his already weak and wobbly faith? “God won’t give you more than you can handle,” right? Try telling that to Gideon as he strolls through the Israelite encampment with 32,000 men alongside, knowing full well that Midan’s forces more than tripled that number. This is when God has the gall to tell him, “That’s too many guys” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%207%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 7:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). An allowance is given for those who were “fearful and trembling” to walk away and return home without any judgment (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%207%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 7:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Deut.%2020%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deut. 20:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Suddenly, 32,000 is 10,000. “That’s still too many guys,” God tells his judge (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%207%3A4%E2%80%938/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 7:4–8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Don’t get distracted by the details here. The point of this scene isn’t for us to see how Gideon whittled his battalion to a “mighty 300.” This isn’t Leonidas and his Spartans the night before Thermopylae. In short, this entire sequence is yet another test of Gideon’s faith, setting the stage so that God’s strength might be the only thing remembered (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%207%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 7:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This, of course, was way more than Gideon could handle. It’s as if God was putting his faith through the wringer to find its breaking point. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After 31,700 armed men walk away, Gideon’s timidity is bolstered by yet another offering of assurance. This time, God tells him to disguise himself and venture down to where the Midianite army is encamped. “I want you to hear something,” the Lord tells him, “and if you’re too afraid to go by yourself, you can have your servant tag along” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%207%3A9%E2%80%9311/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 7:9–11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Gideon takes the offer and goes down to the Midianite barracks, where he’s immediately inundated by a vast, sprawling army that looked “like locusts in abundance” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%207%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 7:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The victory over Midian had nothing to do with Gideon’s military prowess or Israel’s courage. Rather, it had everything to do with a God who proves himself strong and mighty and faithful wherever we are weak. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But God knew what he was doing, as he leads Gideon and his partner to a tent where two enemy soldiers are talking about a dream one of them had:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “And he said, ‘Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian and came to the tent and struck it so that it fell and turned it upside down, so that the tent lay flat.’ And his comrade answered, ‘This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp’” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%207%3A13%E2%80%9314/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 7:13–14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God was using pagan superstition against them, as these Midianite infantrymen understood this fearful dream to be nothing short of a fateful omen which spelled their doom. Gideon, though, walked away immersed in the great faithfulness of his great God and led his 300 comrades to victory (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%207%3A15%E2%80%9322/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 7:15–22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Gideon and Israel were made to share in the triumph Yahweh had given to them. Indeed, the victory over Midian had nothing to do with Gideon’s military prowess or Israel’s courage. Rather, it had everything to do with a God who proves himself strong and mighty and faithful wherever we are weak. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whatever ability or aptitude, power, or potential we think we have, that’s what God aims to expunge. “You think it’s about pedigree?” an affronted God might ask. “Let me have Gideon from the weakest and the least of the tribes. You think it’s about your abilities? Let me show you what I can do through a weak and wobbly servant. You think it’s about numbers? Let me show you what I can do with a mere 300, armed with nothing but trumpets and torches!” God has a fondness for whittling down whatever we might rely on that’s not him. His agenda is concerned with ushering us to the point where he and his Word are our only hope. And more often than not, that means giving us way more than we can handle so that we are forced to fall on him. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God wants his word of promise to be the only thing we bank on, the only thing we have confidence in. He wants our full weight of trust to rest on him alone. We don’t need to doubt him. We don’t need more “signs.” We have all the signs we need in his Word of abundant assurance. “We have Christ and the Spirit,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Expositions-Holy-Scriptures-17-Set/dp/0801059674" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           writes Alexander Maclaren
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “and so have a ‘word made more sure’ than to require signs” (2:1.234). But even when we doubt, God doesn’t chide us or belittle us. “He does not ridicule us for our fears,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Judges-Great-Salvation-Focus-Bible/dp/1845501381/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Davis writes
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “he never mocks us because we are fragile” (106). Rather, he meets us in the midst of our doubting and questioning and trembling with the promise that he is with us and for us. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The words of the angel are still true: “The Lord is with you,” sinner and sufferer. This is no platitude. This is no fable. This isn’t even something that was merely said in the past. This is the present-tense good news of God for you. In grief, in confusion, in sorrow, in weakness, in loss, in it all, “the Lord is with you.” You and I don’t have to try to get through life’s harrowing days on our own. When you are weak and faint-hearted; when you feel like you’ve been given way more than you can handle, God’s word of promise is still true: “I will be with you.” “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Heb.%2013%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 13:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%2028%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 28:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/more-than-you-can-handle" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/more-than-you-can-handle
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 May 2023 13:09:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-18-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-17-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-17-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-17-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer... !
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why don’t we pray more often than we do? And how often when we do pray, do we look to the model prayers we find in the Bible – and not least from the lips of Jesus?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dr. JI Packer once commented, ‘I believe that prayer is the measure of God’s people, spiritually, in a way that nothing else is, so that how we pray is as important a question as we can ever face’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come with me to the prayer that Jesus’ prayed on the night of his arrest. We find it in John chapter 17. In verse 1 we read: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you,…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Knowing he was about to die, Jesus prayed that he would be honored in carrying out God’s previously hidden plan. His impending death was now a certainty, for John tells us that Judas had gone out into the night to do his dark work of betrayal. And now, as Jesus looked into the darkness of this evil, he prayed that he would not only remain faithful to his mission, but would also be 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           glorified
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The meaning of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           glory
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            often eludes us for we tend to think of it more in terms of the splendor of fame or beauty. But the meaning of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           glory
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            here is more subtle. It refers to the outward splendor of hidden, inner nature and qualities.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In praying, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Father…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Jesus was asking God to clothe him with glory because his cross would reveal for all time the nature and cost of God’s love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, he prays that as he himself is glorified, in carrying out this supreme mission, men and women will see the splendor of the extraordinary love of the Father for men and women, even though they choose to divorce him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ashley Null has observed that for Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury during the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward VI, ‘The glory of God, is God’s love for the unworthy’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The theme of glory through his crucifixion continues in verse 4: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus is saying that he has completed the work God had given him to do. In his teaching he brought further revelation of God and in his miracles (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           signs
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) he revealed God’s compassion and power. One great work – his greatest work – remained. When he was lifted up on the cross at Calvary, he would bear in himself the sin of the whole world (John 3:14-15 and 16).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In John 19: 28 &amp;amp; 30 we read Jesus’ final words on the cross: “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is finished”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . With his death, Jesus had completed his mission. He had offered the one perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world, once and for all time. To try and repeat it, is to diminish and dishonor his work.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ prayer continues:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (John 17:5)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The words of John Stainer’s 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Crucifixion
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            capture something of John’s record: ‘Far more awful in Thy weakness, more than kingly in Thy meekness, Thou Son of God… Here in abasement; crownless, poor, disrobed, and bleeding: There in glory interceding; Thou art the King!’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer for the Disciples:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (17:6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The greater part of Jesus’ prayer is for his disciples. This tells us of their importance. They are to be the bridge between himself and the rest of humanity. Much will depend on their understanding of Jesus as the Christ – the Messiah – and their courage and loyalty.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So he prays that the Father will give them eternal life. In verse 11, he prays that the Father will protect them; in verse 15, that the Father will keep them from the powers of evil; in verse 17, that the Father will make them holy in the truth; and in verse 16, that the love God the Father has for the Son, will be true for them as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus knows that the road ahead for the disciples will not be easy. Yet he doesn’t pray that they will be taken out of the world, but that they will be kept faithful and guarded from the powers of the evil one.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer for his people:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (17:20-22)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In praying for his people through the ages, Jesus alerts us to the heart of his disciples’ mission. Their ministry is to be a declaratory (Word) mission. The content of their preaching and teaching will be that 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus is God’s king who has come 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           for
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            us 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           – to restore God’s friendship with us. Furthermore, Christ has come 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           so that he might be 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           in
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            us
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            – the oneness of God’s people (not denominational structures) will draw others to faith in Christ. In turn all his people through the ages will share with him as heirs in the glory to come.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Which brings me back to prayer and the theme of God’s glory. How often do we pray that God will be glorified? After all, Jesus taught us to pray, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Father, hallowed, glorified be your name’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Luke 11:2). In this era of God’s mercy shouldn’t we be praying that God will glorify his name in the changing lives of his people – in you and me? Shouldn’t we also be praying that God will honor his name in drawing the lost to faith, turning hearts to their true home in Jesus Christ?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Lord Christ, eternal Word and Light of the Father’s glory: send your light and your truth so that we may both know and proclaim your word of life, to the glory of God the Father; for you now live and reign, God for all eternity. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/prayer-4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/prayer-4/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 17 May 2023 13:09:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-17-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sports &amp; Concert Schedule</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sports-concert-schedule</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Daily Sports &amp;amp; Concert Schedule 5-16-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI sports schedule: https://www.sfoi.org/major-sports-leagues-and-events-schedules
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Gospel Invasion &amp;amp; Concerts: https://sfoi.org/gospelinvasionevents
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI Events: https://sfoi.org/events
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI 1000 MLB: https://www.sfoi.org/mlb-1000
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            SFOI 1000 MLS: https://www.sfoi.org/mls
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #JesusisLord #GreatCommission #openairpreaching #evangelism #Christianevangelism #Christianity 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png" length="87392" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 May 2023 22:05:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sports-concert-schedule</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-16-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-16-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-16-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3 Things You Should Know about Leviticus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Every Christian should seek to sit under the whole counsel of God. This means, in part, meditating on the entire expanse of the biblical Word. Toward this goal, we all find ourselves naturally attracted to some biblical books and, if we are honest, not as attracted to others. One commonly avoided book of the Bible is the book of Leviticus. Located right in the middle of the Pentateuch, the book of Leviticus is written in such a way that many modern readers find it a difficult book to crack. Yet, despite its seemingly obscure interest in the tabernacle worship of ancient Israel, we should not miss what this book has to offer us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here are three things that every reader of the Bible can take away from the book of Leviticus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1. God goes to great ends to meet with His people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The tabernacle of the Lord is exactly what the Scripture says it is: the house of God. It’s His sanctuary, His palace, and as such, it is the place where He receives His guests (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ex.%2025%3A8%E2%80%939/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 25:8–9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). God’s house reflects His character, holiness, glory, perfect righteousness, and role as primary creator. Those who enter the tabernacle, therefore, must be prepared for an audience with the King. Without such preparation, they cannot hope to survive the visit. Leviticus reminds us, however, that no amount of fallenness or finitude can keep our God from us. He made us to dwell in communion with Him, and His will is bent toward that communion. This desire for reconciliation and restoration is, of course, the backdrop to Scripture’s entire story of redemption.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2. God cares about the manner in which we meet with Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another thing that strikes us as we read the book of Leviticus is how meticulous Moses is in his instructions for the priests and Levites. Israelite worship reveals how much God values the manner of worship as highly as the object of worship. He’s not simply looking for fond thoughts, admiring inclinations, or converted pagan practice. The Israelites are not called to simply worship as they please, but rather they are called to conform the manner of their worship to God’s character. The Levitical instructions, the rules for sacrifices, the times and seasons, and the festivals all speak to the way in which the Israelites are called to organize their lives and their worship according to the Creator’s design. We are made in God’s image, so our worship is guided by His agenda, not the other way around.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3. The sacrifices themselves reveal to us God’s purposes for His redemptive plan.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When humanity fell in the garden, our relationship with God was fatally broken in a way that had implications for the whole of human existence. In order to enter into God’s presence, we now need to be made clean, ceremonially appropriate for the presence of God. God’s holiness is to be matched by human cleanness. Therefore, Leviticus instructs that the holiest places of the tabernacle are reserved for those who have been specially prepared for the work: the priests, and ultimately, the high priest (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lev.%2016%3A1%E2%80%935%3B%2021/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lev. 16:1–5; 21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The sacrificial system also reflects the ways in which humanity’s relationship with God has been terribly altered. Each sacrifice illustrates a different way in which God desires to be restored to His people through the work of redemption. The burnt offering (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lev.%201%3A2%E2%80%9317%3B%206%3A8%E2%80%9313/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lev. 1:2–17; 6:8–13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), which includes the burning up of the whole animal, provides for the covering over, or atonement of, human sin before God. The grain offering (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lev.%202%3A1%E2%80%9316%3B%206%3A14%E2%80%9323/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lev. 2:1–16; 6:14–23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) is associated with a gift or tribute, like those given to a king to ensure an alliance. The peace offering (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lev.%203%3A1%E2%80%9317%3B%207%3A11%E2%80%9321/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lev. 3:1–17; 7:11–21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) involves the sacramental sharing of a meal between the worshiper and the priests, reflecting a mended relationship. The purification or sin offering (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lev.%204%3A1%E2%80%935%3A13%3B%206%3A24%E2%80%9330/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lev. 4:1–5:13; 6:24–30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) highlights the pollution or the defilement of sin for the believer and the need for purification. The reparation offering (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lev.%205%3A14%E2%80%936%3A7%3B%207%3A1%E2%80%9310/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lev. 5:14–6:7; 7:1–10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) foregrounds the need for a debt to be repaid to God so that the divine and human relationship can be made whole.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Each of these five sacrifices highlights a different aspect of God’s plan for redemption for humanity. Our attention is often drawn to the passages about the need for atonement—both in the burnt sacrifice and in the Day of Atonement instructions laid out so clearly in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Leviticus%2016%3A1%E2%80%9334/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Leviticus 16:1–34
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           —but Christian worship can be deepened by an understanding of the rich ways in which Christ restores us before God, making a way for us to enter His presence (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2014%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 14:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Our sins are atoned for, our alliance with the King is restored, we share a hospitable meal between friends, the defilement is purified, and our debt is repaid in the person and work of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. We can rejoice that our High Priest is at work to accomplish all these blessings of redemption (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Heb.%2010%3A1%E2%80%9318/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 10:1–18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/3-things-leviticus" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/3-things-leviticus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 May 2023 13:45:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-16-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-15-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-15-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-15-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Everyone who believes is freed from everything [justified, kjv].
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Acts%2013:39/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 13:39
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The believer in Christ receives a present justification. Faith does not produce this fruit later on, but now. So far as justification is the result of faith, it is given to the soul in the moment when it closes with Christ and accepts Him as its all in all. Are those who stand before the throne of God justified now? So are we as certainly and as clearly justified as those who have entered into the portals of heaven. The thief upon the cross was justified the moment that he turned the eye of faith to Jesus; and Paul, at the end of his life, after years of service, was not more justified than the thief who had no service at all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are today accepted in the Beloved, today absolved from sin, today acquitted at the bar of God’s judgment. What a soul-stirring thought! There are some benefits that we will not be able to enjoy until we enter heaven; but this is our immediate possession. This is not like the corn of the land, which we can never eat until we cross the Jordan; but this is part of the manna in the wilderness, a portion of our daily nutriment with which God supplies us in all our comings and goings.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are now—even now—pardoned; even now are our sins put away; even now we stand in the sight of God accepted, as though we had never been guilty. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”1 There is not a sin in the Book of God, even now, against one of His people. Who dares to lay anything to their charge? There is neither speck, nor spot, nor wrinkle, nor anything remaining upon any one believer in this matter of being justified in the sight of the Judge of all the earth. Let our present privileges awaken us to present duty, and now, while life lasts, let us spend and be spent for our sweet Lord Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            1)
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ROM.8.1.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 8:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/15/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/15/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 15 May 2023 15:56:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-15-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>What to say when you evangelize?</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/what-to-say-when-you-evangelize</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How do you begin evangelizing?  What do you say?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christians ask when they are asked to evangelize "What do I say?"  Listen to the message for a suggestion:  
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://soundcloud.com/sfoi/what-do-you-say-when-you-evangelize" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           What do you say when you evangelize?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png" length="87392" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 15 May 2023 14:29:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/what-to-say-when-you-evangelize</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Is your audience hearing you preach faith or works / legalism?</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/is-your-audience-hearing-you-preach-faith-or-works-legalism</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is your audience hearing you preach faith or works / legalism?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          What is your audience hearing you say?  What is the intent of your message
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ? 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://soundcloud.com/sfoi/are-you-preaching-faith-or-works-legalism?si=252f04e8c42f41afb38a60a8091b6a45&amp;amp;utm_source=clipboard&amp;amp;utm_medium=text&amp;amp;utm_campaign=social_sharing" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Listen here for some thoughts:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://soundcloud.com/sfoi/are-you-preaching-faith-or-works-legalism?si=252f04e8c42f41afb38a60a8091b6a45&amp;amp;utm_source=clipboard&amp;amp;utm_medium=text&amp;amp;utm_campaign=social_sharing" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are you preaching faith or works legalism?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png" length="87392" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 15 May 2023 14:23:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/is-your-audience-hearing-you-preach-faith-or-works-legalism</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sports &amp; Concert Schedule: 5-15-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sports-concert-schedule-5-15-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Daily Sports &amp;amp; Concert Schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png" length="87392" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 15 May 2023 08:54:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sports-concert-schedule-5-15-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sports Schedule: 5-12-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sports-schedule-5-12-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Schedule: 5-12-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill shares the evangelism opportunities for the day including concerts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background-51b57f05.png" length="512058" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 13 May 2023 10:04:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sports-schedule-5-12-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background-51b57f05.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background-51b57f05.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sports Schedule: 5-11-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sports-schedule-5-11-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Schedule 5-11-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill shares the evangelism opportunities for the day including concerts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background-51b57f05.png" length="512058" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 13 May 2023 09:53:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sports-schedule-5-11-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background-51b57f05.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background-51b57f05.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-12-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-12-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-12-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Humility, Happiness, Holiness
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I will love him and manifest myself to him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%2014:21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 14:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord Jesus gives special revelations of Himself to His people. Even if Scripture did not declare this, many of the children of God could testify to the truth of it from their own experience. They have had manifestations of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in a peculiar manner, such as no mere reading or hearing could afford.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the biographies of eminent saints, you will find many instances recorded in which Jesus has been pleased in a very special manner to speak to their souls and to unfold the wonders of His person; in this way their souls have been steeped in happiness, and they have thought themselves to be in heaven. Although they were not there, they were close to the threshold of it—for when Jesus manifests Himself to His people, it is heaven on earth; it is paradise in embryo; it is bliss begun.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Special manifestations of Christ exercise a holy influence on the believer’s heart. One effect will be humility. If a man says, “I have had such-and-such spiritual communications, I am a great man,” he has never had any communion with Jesus at all; for “the LORD regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.138.6.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps 138:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           He does not need to come near the haughty to know them and will never give them any visits of love. Another effect will be happiness; for in God’s presence there are pleasures forevermore. Holiness will be sure to follow. A man who has no holiness has never had this manifestation. Some men profess a great deal; but we must not believe anyone unless we see that his actions agree with what he says. “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GAL.6.7.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal 6:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He will not bestow His favors upon the wicked, for He will neither cast away a perfect man, nor will He respect an evildoer. Thus there will be three effects of nearness to Jesus—humility, happiness, and holiness. May God give them to you, Christian!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/12/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/12/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 12 May 2023 12:02:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-12-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-11-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-11-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-11-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           C.F.W. Walther: Preacher of the Gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Walther’s living legacy is his enduring teaching on how to distinguish the law and the gospel in the Church’s proclamation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            May 7 is the commemoration of C. F. W. Walther, who was one of the founding fathers of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, its first president, and the first president of Concordia Seminary.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Undergirding his foundational significance for this denomination is Walther’s identity as a believer and preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Walther understood, held fast, confessed, and proclaimed that Christ alone has accomplished the salvation of sinners. As a theologian and churchman, Walther always insisted on the purity of this message and vehemently rejected any attempt to add doing good works or human choice to the work of God in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For Walther, the categorical nature of salvation as God’s work alone necessitated that the message of this salvation in the gospel must always be distinguished clearly from that of God’s law. Through the law, God reveals his will, tells us the difference between what is right and what is wrong, and condemns us for not keeping the law in its entirety. In the gospel, however, God reveals his salvation in Christ that comes to us by faith alone, apart from obedience to the law. [1] Following Martin Luther and the Lutheran Confessions, Walther consistently taught that maintaining this distinction was absolutely essential for theology and proclamation that proclaims Christ alone as Savior from sin, death, and the devil. [2] 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Walther’s insistence on this distinction was not merely an attempt to be faithful to the teachings of Holy Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and Martin Luther. Walther’s commitment to this fundamental distinction also flowed from his own experience of hearing the law and the gospel. When he was a student at the University of Leipzig, Walther experienced an intense trial of his Christian faith. At this time, much of German Lutheranism was in the grip of the movement known as Pietism. Following the popular currents of rationalism, individualism, and the birth of the modern scientific method, Pietists taught that true Christians could only be assured of their salvation if they performed good works that evidenced a truly converted life. As Walther would later criticize, Pietism looked to what a Christian does for evidence of salvation rather than to what the Holy Scriptures say about what Christ has done for us. [3] This focus on individual works of piety rather than on the Good News of what Jesus has done drove the young Walther into a downward spiral of introspection and despair. When he looked at himself, Walther perceived such a lack of piety and so much sin that he began to doubt his salvation. [4] 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Walther concluded that the distinction between the law and the gospel must always be made in Christian theology, proclamation, and practice in order to preserve the purity of the gospel’s teaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Walther’s spiritual trial worsened until he encountered the pure and gracious gospel of Christ. Walther heard this gospel proclaimed to him by Lutheran preachers in Leipzig and Dresden and also read it in Luther’s works. From these sources, Walther heard that salvation comes from the work of Christ alone, apart from anything we do, and the assurance of faith in Christ comes from hearing the Gospel. [5] His encounter with the gospel proved formative for Walther’s theology and indeed of his entire life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Walther concluded that the distinction between the law and the gospel must always be made in Christian theology, proclamation, and practice in order to preserve the purity of the gospel’s teaching, free from any notion that humans contribute to salvation through their own efforts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The most enduring testimony to Walther’s theological commitment to the distinction between law and gospel is a series of 39 evening lectures he gave at Concordia Seminary in 1884-1885. These lectures were entitled, The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel. The lectures were published in German by Concordia Publishing House in 1887, the year of Walther’s death. This theological and pastoral legacy of Walther’s has since undergone translation, retranslation, and condensation. [6]
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In these lectures, Walther identifies and expounds upon twenty-five theses on properly distinguishing law and gospel. Throughout the entire series, Walther’s motivation shines through. The elder professor and pastor wanted his students and successors to grasp the importance of how to properly handle law and gospel in preaching. This, in turn, is motivated by Walther’s unshakeable belief that the goal of preaching is to assure those listening that Christ alone saves them, and that no efforts of their own contribute to this salvation in any way.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These overriding concerns manifest on every page of Law &amp;amp; Gospelas Walther works his way through each thesis. Walther demonstrates how the two do not contradict one another but work together in a complementary fashion and how they each run through all of Scripture. Although they are structured in academic style, the lectures are intensely practical, as through them Walther shows how and how not to preach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Don’t even, says Walther, turn the proclamation of the gospel into a call to repentance and amending one’s way of life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Don’t, says Walther, try to take the bite out of the harsh medicine of the law by trying to weaken down so it can be easily swallowed. [7] At the same time don’t detract from the sweetness of the gospel by trying to inject some form of command into it. Don’t even, says Walther, turn the proclamation of the gospel into a call to repentance and amending one’s way of life. In reading these admonitions to his students, we must keep in mind that Walther and his contemporaries in North American Lutheranism lived in a time when revivalism dominated American Christianity. Revivalism relied on a harsh preaching of the law followed not by the pure gospel that God saves sinners for the sake of Christ, but by an appeal to make a decision for God and then evidence one’s salvation by a strong emotional response to the preaching and by straightening out one’s behavior. To preach like this, says Walther, is to turn the gospel into a new law, taking away the crucified and risen Christ and putting the individual’s performance in His place. [8] 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Under his discussion of Thesis VII, Walther goes so far as to give six incorrect sermon outlines. In this section, Walther states that sermons that begin and end with instruction on “true Christian living” are “simply horrible.” [9] This is because, for Walther, as sermon must end with the unconditional gospel that God saves sinners on account of what Christ has done for them by his life, death, and resurrection. This wisdom from Walther is an insight missing from much of preaching today. The preacher, says Walther, must conclude with the gospel because “the law is merely an auxiliary doctrine.” Its job, says Walther, is to convict and “penetrate the stony heart” of the hardened sinner so that “the real doctrine of Christ,” the gospel, can be heard. [10] The law is actually an alien function of preaching that is needed in order to prepare the heart for receiving the pure grace of Christ. [11] 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And yet, Walther argues the law comes from God. The law is God’s Word, and it reveals the will of God for human beings, telling us what works God would have us do and what works he would not have us do. [12] Because the law is good and has this function, it must also be preached to the Christian. The Law identifies for the Christian what good works look like, though the power to do such works comes through the gospel alone. Thus, it is important for instruction in Christian living to preach both law and gospel. [13] 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While he affirms that the law continues to be of importance in the life of the believer, for Walther, the overarching goal of properly distinguishing law and gospel is to keep the gospel free from any notion of adding human activity to the finished work of Christ. In the explanation of his last thesis, Walther wraps up his teaching with an appeal and warning to Lutheran preachers. Walther says the preacher must let the Gospel predominate for his preaching to be truly evangelical and life-giving. [14] If he does not do this, then he does not truly serve the pastoral office as Christ ordained it and “is not a true servant of the Gospel.” [15]
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Walther’s significance in American Christianity is not relegated to his prominence in the founding of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and of Concordia Seminary. As important as these are, Walther’s living legacy is his enduring teaching on how to distinguish the law and the gospel in the Church’s proclamation. His message to preachers is clear as a bell: Preach the law; preach the gospel; don’t mix them; and make the gospel the big deal. For it is the gospel that brings Christ to sinners, and Christ alone saves them. [16] Anyone who is a preacher or who is preparing to be a preacher should read Walther’s Law &amp;amp; Gospel. Here, he will hear the warm and evangelical wisdom of a preacher and Christian who believed, held fast, and proclaimed that Christ died for sinners and saves them on the basis of his work alone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [1] C. F. W. Walther, Law &amp;amp; Gospel: How to Read and Apply the Bible, A Reader’s Edition, trans. Christian C. Tiews, ed. Charles P. Schaum, John P. Hellwege, Jr., and Thomas E. Manteufel (St. Louis: CPH, 2010), 1-17.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [2] Walther, Law &amp;amp; Gospel, 73.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [3] “Law &amp;amp; Gospel in Walther’s Teaching,” in Walther, Law &amp;amp; Gospel, xviii-xix.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [4] “The Life of C. F. W. Walther,” in Walther, Law &amp;amp; Gospel, xx.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [5] Ibid.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [6] W. H. T. Dau first translated the lectures into English in 1929. Walter Pieper condensed this translation in his volume, God’s No and God’s Yes, published in 1973. In 1981, Hebert J. A. Bouman further condensed and abridged Dau’s translation. William J. Schmelder, “Foreword,” in Walther, Law &amp;amp; Gospel, ix. In 2010, CPH published a study edition with a fresh translation by Christian Tiews of Walther’s German original.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [7] Walther, Law &amp;amp; Gospel, 90, 93.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [8] Walther, Law &amp;amp; Gospel, 309-311, 321-323, 333-334.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [9] Walther, Law &amp;amp; Gospel, 106.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [10] Walther, Law &amp;amp; Gospel, 457.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [11] Ibid
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [12] Walther, Law &amp;amp; Gospel, 12, 14.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [13] Walther, Law &amp;amp; Gospel, 364.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [14] Walther, Law &amp;amp; Gospel, 459.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [15] Walther, Law &amp;amp; Gospel, 456.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [16] Walther, Law &amp;amp; Gospel, 459.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/cfw-walther-preacher-of-the-gospel" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/cfw-walther-preacher-of-the-gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 May 2023 13:39:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-11-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-10-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-10-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-10-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bereft...?
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The loss of someone deeply loved awakens a profound anguish and grief within us. Even some time after a loved one has gone from us, we can unexpectedly find ourselves tearing up.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the course of his last evening with his close followers Jesus told them he was going away and that they could not come with him (John 14:3). He knew what his going would mean for them and likened their state to orphaned children – destitute and alone. Significantly, he didn’t offer glib platitudes about his going but promised them 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           a Counselor
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            – literally, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           a Comforter
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In chapter 14:15-21 John the Gospel writer sets out the record of Jesus’ words of comfort and hope to his disciples. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He was not going to leave them bereft.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Rather, he promised them another companion to comfort and strengthen them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments,’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            he said. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (John 14:16-17).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When we first read these words and the reference to the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Spirit
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            we might think that Jesus is speaking about an impersonal power or force. Indeed, in Acts chapter 8 we learn that Simon Magus thought the Holy Spirit was a force he could purchase (Acts 8:18f).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, the personal pronouns ‘him’ and ‘he’ in John 14:17 with reference to the Spirit indicate that Jesus is not speaking about some impersonal force or a power, but a person. In the original language the word ‘spirit’ is a neuter noun, an ‘it’ word. But John breaks the rules of grammar. He refers to the Spirit as ‘he’: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He dwells with you
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           …
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The moment we think of the Holy Spirit as an ‘it’, we miss the profundity of Jesus’ promise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            He, Jesus, is going away. ‘He’ is to be replaced, not by an ‘it’, but a ‘he’, the ‘Helper’, the ‘Spirit’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Helper
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            translates two words in the original text – the preposition 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           alongside
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and the verb, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           called
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . The fact that Jesus promises 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           another
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Helper
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            implies that He himself has been 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           helping
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Now in this time of the disciples’ deep need he promises the Holy Spirit – a Helper, a Comforter.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, this 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Helper
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            or 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Comforter
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            doesn’t provide comfort like Linus’s blanket, nor is the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Comforter
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           simply a hot water bottle for cold, hard times. He comes to strengthen our hearts and minds – putting ‘backbone’ into our lives. Jesus has been helping for three years, now the Spirit of truth comes to help.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘The Spirit of truth is not known by the world,’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jesus says (verse 17), but ‘you know him – and he will be with you forever’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are living in the age of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is not physically in the world now, but he is through his Spirit. This is astonishing and something we don’t usually think about. The Lord Jesus Christ is present and at work in the world now, not in a physical way that we can see, but invisibly through his Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s something that was foreshadowed in the Old Testament. There we read that God’s people dearly wanted God to live with them. Even so, they found the whole idea hard to grasp. In his prayer at the beginning of his reign, King Solomon asked: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you;…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (I Kings 8:27). To which the answer was ‘yes’: the Temple in Jerusalem was not only a place of worship, it symbolized God’s dwelling with his people, God’s special relationship with his people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, Ezekiel chapter 37, verse 27 says: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            What Solomon thought God was far too big for, God himself said he would do. He would come amongst his people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The amazing thing is that the Bible tells us that 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God notices us and cares for us far beyond anything we can begin to imagine.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remember, back in chapter 1, verse 14, John records: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now in John chapter 14 we begin to see the wonder of Jesus’ promise: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ will not just be 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           with
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            us but also 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           in
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jesus takes his promise to another level here. He is saying that he is personally present with us in our lives. This is why Paul the Apostle writes in First Corinthians, chapter 6: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you not know that your bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What does this mean in reality?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Think of it like this. If someone put a powerful explosive in our apartment what would we do? We’d call in the explosive experts and keep clear. But if the newly crowned Charles III came to our place, what would we do? We’d surely welcome him and take the opportunity to get to know him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus promises his followers a powerful person,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            a counselor, a companion. For many, Christianity is little more than a moral code they must struggle to observe. But Jesus is saying, ‘I want you to understand that the faith I am talking about is, in its deepest essence, about a relationship, a relationship with the one who is at the heart of the universe.’ It’s about knowing Jesus and having him live with us through his Spirit
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            ‘God in the soul of men and women,’ is how one ancient writer put it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sometimes we can feel cut off from God by a sense of failure or unworthiness, ignorance or unbelief, or abandonment. Jesus is saying to his first followers, and to you and me today, ‘Do not despair: you can experience me in your life.’ We are not alone in life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his Letters Paul the Apostle develops this astonishing work of the Spirit. For example, in Romans chapter 8, verses 15 through 17: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           … You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons and daughters, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           !’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we might be glorified with him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           CS Lewis picks up this theme in his Narnia books with the analogy that the sons and daughters of Adam and Eve are the kings and queens of Narnia. The Bible tells us that God’s Spirit awakens us to the privilege God’s people have of being joint heirs with Jesus Christ in his inheritance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            . Heavenly Father, the giver of all good things, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and grant that by your holy inspiration we may think those things that are good, and by your grace and guidance do them; through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/bereft/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/bereft/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 May 2023 12:32:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-10-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-9-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-9-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-9-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is Fortitude?
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Though you won’t find the word fortitude in most English translations of the Bible, you can find its synonyms in words like courage, determination, strength, and perseverance. The word comes from the Latin fortis, meaning “strong.” Merriam-Webster defines fortitude as “strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage.” Other dictionaries stress aspects of the emotion or the length of time one endures affliction. But whatever emphasis one definition has over another, one thing is for sure: fortitude is displayed at the juncture of adversity and strength.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the Old Testament, the principle of fortitude may be seen in places like the book of Joshua. As God’s people were about to cross into the promised land, God told Joshua to be “strong and courageous,” a phrase used repeatedly in the opening chapter. Why did the Israelites need strength and courage? Because they were about to fight the Canaanite people who, at one point, made them seem like small grasshoppers (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Num.%2013%3A33/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Num. 13:33
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But God’s people needed more than mere physical strength. They also needed mental, emotional, and spiritual strength to endure the conflict, adversity, and even temptation they would face in the land the Lord was giving them. In other words, they needed fortitude.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%201%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 1:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Several verses later, he combines this courage with the unity of the Philippians’ purpose—“with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%201%3A27%E2%80%9328/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 1:27–28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Paul needed a tenacious courage for the trials and afflictions he would endure for the sake of Christ. But his determination was to be an example for the Philippians, that they too would strive together without fear for the sake of Christ, come what may.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul would elsewhere write that believers should “stand firm in the faith” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%2016%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 16:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and “be strong in the Lord” so that we “may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%206%3A10%2C%2013/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 6:10, 13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Similarly, the writer of Hebrews encourages his readers to “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Heb.%2010%3A23/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 10:23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). As believers, we are called to “stand firm,” “be strong,” and “hold fast” because of the hostility of this world, the temptations of the flesh, and the spiritual attacks of Satan. In other words, this requires fortitude.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fortitude is that strength to courageously endure adversity, which the Lord graciously supplies by His Spirit and through the promises of His Word. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We should note that the true source and foundation of any fortitude we might exhibit is the Lord Himself. His grace, which is sufficient for us, enables us to boast in our weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon us—“For when I am weak, then I am strong” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor.%2012%3A9%E2%80%9310/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 12:9–10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Indeed, it is His Spirit who “helps us in our weakness” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%208%3A26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 8:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fortitude, then, may be biblically defined as that strength to courageously endure adversity, temptation, and spiritual assault, which the Lord graciously supplies by His Spirit and through the promises of His Word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So how are we able to cultivate fortitude? Let me give you two ways. First, avail yourself to the means of God’s grace by which He is at work to sanctify you—specifically, His Word, the sacraments, and prayer. As we read and meditate upon God’s Word, we become like fruitful trees planted by streams of water (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%201%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 1:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). As we partake of the Lord’s Supper, God nourishes and strengthens our faith for what lies ahead. As we commune with Him in prayer, we are reminded that we are not alone; He is with us. These are the spiritual tools the Lord has provided so that we may have fortitude and persevere under trial.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Second, invest yourself in the community of faith. You need fellow pilgrims to encourage, challenge, and spur you on in your own journey. In John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress, the character Christian needed friends and co-laborers in his pilgrimage to the Celestial City. Similarly, you need others to come alongside you to strengthen and support you along the way. This is best manifested in the local church, which not only places you within the context of the means of grace, but also provides spiritual and prayer support from others.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As you consider the various trials and afflictions you might face in your life, may the Spirit of God strengthen you to courageously endure: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/James%201%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           James 1:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This article is part of the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/collections/virtues-vices" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Virtues and Vices
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            collection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-fortitude" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-fortitude
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 May 2023 13:18:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-9-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-8-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-8-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-8-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Partial knowledge
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The man who had been healed did not know who it was.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%205:13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 5:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Years pass quickly for the happy and the healthy; but thirty-eight years of disease must have seemed like forever in the life of the poor impotent man. When Jesus, therefore, healed him by a word while he lay at the pool of Bethesda, the man was delightfully aware of a change. Even so the sinner who has for weeks and months been paralyzed with despair and has wearily sighed for salvation is very conscious of the change when the Lord Jesus speaks the word of power and gives joy and peace in believing. The evil removed is too great to be removed without our discerning it; the life imparted is too remarkable to be possessed and remain inoperative; and the change is too marvelous not to be perceived.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet the poor man was ignorant of the author of his cure; he did not know this person, or the part that he played, or the plan that had brought Him among men. Hearts that feel the power of His blood may still be ignorant of His ways. We must not be too quick to condemn men for lack of knowledge; but where we can see the faith that saves the soul, we must believe that salvation has been bestowed. The Holy Spirit makes men penitents long before He makes them ministers; and he who believes what he knows shall soon know more clearly what he believes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ignorance is, however, an evil; for this poor man was much tantalized by the Pharisees and was quite unable to cope with them. It is good to be able to answer our critics; but we cannot do so if we do not know the Lord Jesus clearly and with understanding. The cure of his ignorance, however, soon followed the cure of his infirmity, for he was visited by the Lord in the temple; and after that gracious discourse, he was soon declaring to all “that it was Jesus who had healed him.” Lord, if You have saved me, show me Yourself, that I may declare You to the sons of men.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/08/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/08/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 May 2023 11:41:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-8-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-5-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-5-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-5-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My People
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/2%20Corinthians%206:16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Corinthians 6:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a sweet title: “my people”! What a cheering revelation: “their God”! What a wealth of meaning is couched in those two words, “my people”!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here is speciality. The whole world is God’s; the heaven, even the heaven of heavens, is the Lord’s, and He reigns among the children of men. But of those whom He has chosen, whom He has purchased to Himself, He says what He says not of others—“my people.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In this word there is the idea of proprietorship. In a special manner “the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/DEU.32.9.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deut. 32:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) All the nations upon earth are His; the whole world is in His power. But His people, His chosen, are more especially His possession, for He has done more for them than for others. He has bought them with His blood; He has brought them to Himself; He has set His great heart upon them; He has loved them with an everlasting love, a love that many waters cannot quench and that the revolutions of time will never in the least degree diminish.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dear friends, can you by faith see yourselves in that number? Can you look up to heaven and say, “My Lord and my God: mine by that sweet relationship that entitles me to call You Father; mine by that hallowed fellowship that I rejoice to enjoy with You when You are pleased to show Yourself to me as You do not to the world”? Can you read the Bible and find there the guarantee of your salvation? Can you read your title written in precious blood? Can you, by humble faith, lay hold of Jesus’ garments and say, “My Christ”?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you can, then God says of you, and of others like you, “My people;” for if God be your God and Christ your Christ, the Lord has a special interest in you; you are the object of His choice, accepted in His beloved Son.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/05/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/05/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 05 May 2023 12:50:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-5-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-4-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-4-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-4-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One Final Cry
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus cries on the cross for us. He suffers and cries and dies in our place. He is forsaken by his father so we don’t have to be.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ever since the fall into sin, the voices of God’s people have cried out for deliverance. Throughout the pages of the Bible the cries go out and echo down the corridor of time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The people of God have always cried out with one voice. The patriarchs cried out to God in times of trouble. The Children of Israel enslaved in Egypt cried out to God for deliverance. The Israelites captive in Babylon cried out for liberation and a return to their home. In the New Testament, Zachariah, Elizabeth, and Mary, along with Simeon and Anna in the temple, cried out as they waited patiently and confidently, knowing that their deliverer was coming.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The prophets looked forward to a day when God would come down to set things straight, make things right, and deal definitively with the enemies of sin, death, and the devil. “Rejoice, O Zion! Cry out, O Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and brings salvation, humble and riding on a donkey” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Zech.%209%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zech. 9:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his song “My Deliverer,” Rich Mullins writes:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joseph took his wife and her child and they went to Africa to escape the rage of a deadly king.
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           There along the banks of the Nile, Jesus listened to the song that the captive children used to sing…   
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           My Deliverer is coming,
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           My Deliverer is standing by.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the song, Jesus hears the songs of his people and their cries for help as though they were still echoing in the distance from centuries before.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There in the Sahara winds Jesus heard the whole world cry
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           For the healing that flowed from His own scars
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           My Deliverer is coming,
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           My Deliverer is standing by. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He will never break his promise, though I doubt my heart, I doubt my eyes
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           My Deliverer is coming,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           My Deliverer is standing by.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a profound picture of Jesus not missing one single solitary cry of pain, as not one word from God’s people falls upon deaf ears.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After riding into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to usher in the last week of his earthly life, it was time for yet another cry. All of the mystery of Israel’s history would climax and culminate in one final cry. We call it the cry of dereliction. After being mocked by the masses, betrayed by Judas, denied by Peter, unjustly accused, sentenced to death, scourged by soldiers, crowned with thorns, stricken, smitten, and afflicted, condemned, abandoned, and alone, it all comes down to the cry from the cross, “Eli, Eli Lama Sabachthani!” or “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus cries on the cross for us. He suffers and cries and dies in our place. He is forsaken by his father so we don’t have to be. He is abandoned and alone so we never will be. And his promise to us is this: “I will never leave you nor forsake you. I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The shortest verse in the English Bible is “Jesus wept” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2011%3A35/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 11:35
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But the shortest verse in Greek is “Rejoice always” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Thess.%205%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Thess. 5:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Because Jesus wept, we can rejoice always.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/one-final-cry" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/one-final-cry
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 May 2023 14:24:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-4-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-3-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-3-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-3-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Doubts and Questions…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Glen Scrivener’s recent book, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Air We Breathe
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (2022) compellingly explores the way that Christianity has shaped the moral values of the West. It is a book for those who believe and those who don’t know what to believe. It especially awakens those of us who believe, to why we need God’s strength to honor him in our lives as well as promote him afresh. Yet how often are we silenced through our fears, forgetting what the Bible reveals about Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For example, at the opening of John chapter 14 a dark cloud was hanging over Jesus’ disciples. For three years they had been with him and were increasingly confident he was God’s promised king. But at the Passover meal he had told them he was going away. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Don’t be troubled,’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            he said
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . ‘Believe in God, believe also in me… I go to prepare a place for you’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (John 14:1, 2b).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Frustration and Doubts. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thomas’s response to Jesus’ words expresses a frustration we can all feel: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Lord, we do not know where you’re going…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            For him, knowledge is based on concrete realities not abstract metaphors. ‘Where is this Father’s house you’re talking about Jesus? How can we know the way?’ Thomas was frustrated and doubted.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ reply is breath-taking, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (John 14:6)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Significantly, he didn’t say, ‘I’ll show you the way’ but rather, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘I am the way’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; he didn’t say, ‘I’ll tell you the truth’ but, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘I am the truth’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; he didn’t say, ‘I’ll give you eternal life’ but, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘I am the life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He is saying that at the heart of the universe is not a mathematical or scientific equation, but a person. This news is ‘the air we have come to breathe’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now many dismiss the existence of God and a supernatural realm – especially the idea that the supernatural can enter the material world. Maybe Thomas thought this too. Perhaps this is why later on, he couldn’t accept that Jesus had risen from the dead (John 20:25).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let’s think about this. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may attend church but never admit your doubts,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            silently going along with the church crowd. It would have been easy for Thomas to have pretended to believe what Jesus was saying. At least he was prepared to admit his doubts. And, helpfully for us, Jesus doesn’t cut him down. When, a week after his resurrection Jesus saw Thomas he said, ‘Put your finger here Thomas. Don’t be faithless but believing’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the midst of cynical voices today, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           it’s also encouraging to know that there are eminent mathematicians
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            who testify to the trustworthiness of the Bible’s record and the existence of the supernatural. For example, Dr. John Lennox, professor emeritus of mathematics at Oxford University, has said, ‘The rational intelligibility of the universe,… points to the existence of the Mind that was responsible both for the universe and our minds. It is for this reason that we are able to do science and to discover the beautiful mathematical structures that underlie the phenomena we can observe’ (cited in Barnett, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel Truth
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , p.21).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus is saying that the only way we’re to make sense of our existence is by recognising that he is the complex person who is the Mind behind the universe. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           People who can hardly recall their two times tables can be closer to the truth than many high-level scientists or mathematicians
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            – because they have a relationship with him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Questions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Phillip, another of Jesus’s disciples, had a follow up question: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Lord show us the Father. That’s all we need’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (John 14:9).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Philip wanted some tangible experience of God that would assure him of Jesus’ words. He may have wanted a special appearance of God such as Moses experienced at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-6). Or maybe he was influenced by the Greek mystery religions and had in mind some kind of inner ecstasy, a spiritual trip that would lift him to new levels of consciousness. Either way he wanted to see God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ response is astonishing: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘He who has seen me has seen the Father’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (John 14:9).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We would not have been surprised if Jesus had replied, ‘Don’t be silly Philip. You’re asking the impossible’. Rather he says, ‘Don’t you know me Philip, even after I’ve been among you for such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many who read history still regard Jesus as one of the world’s great teachers. But this doesn’t come near to what he is saying: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           he isn’t just an emissary from God, but God himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider how Jesus continues: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (John 14:11)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Think about it, Jesus is saying:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            ‘You’ve seen me turn water into first-class wine; you’ve heard that I cured a young boy at a distance; you’ve seen me heal a man paralysed for 38 years, provide food for thousands at a word, restore sight to a man blind from birth, as well as bring a man dead for four days out of a tomb. Doesn’t that tell you something about me?’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It would have made sense, explaining many extraordinary events over the last three years – how Jesus could out-teach the academics of his day: he knew what he spoke about because he is from God; how Jesus could raise people from the dead, because he is the source of life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The cumulative impact of Jesus’ life 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           – the signs he performed and his revelatory teaching –
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            exemplifies the truth of the opening lines of John’s Gospel: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men and women … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, …
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (John 1:1-4, 14).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blaise Pascal, the 17th C French mathematician, philosopher and physicist, wrote in his 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pensées
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘: ‘People despise religion. They hate it and are afraid it may be true. The cure for this is just to show that religion is not contrary to reason, but worthy of reverence and respect. Next make it attractive, make good men and women wish it were true, and then show them that it is’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To rephrase Glenn Scrivener’s words, ‘Is this the air you breathe’?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            . Almighty God, you show to those who are in error the light of your truth so that they may return into the way of righteousness: grant to all who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s service that we may renounce those things that are contrary to our profession and follow all such things as are agreeable to it; through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/doubts-and-questions/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/doubts-and-questions/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 May 2023 14:55:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-3-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-2-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-2-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-2-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5 Things You Should Know about Assurance
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Introduction
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When Horatius Bonar wrote The Everlasting Righteousness, he devoted a chapter to the doctrine of assurance. He defined the Reformed, Roman Catholic, and Arminian views of assurance. When he then compared Arminian and Calvinist views of assurance, he stated:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To an Arminian, who denies election and the perseverance of the saints, the knowledge of our present reconciliation to God might bring with it no assurance of final salvation; for, according to him, we may be in reconciliation today, and out of it tomorrow; but to a Calvinist there can be no such separation . . . Indeed, apart from God’s electing love, there can be no such thing as assurance. It becomes an impossibility.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bonar shows how assurance accompanies the doctrines of election and perseverance of the saints. Therefore, the Canons of the Synod of Dort serve as an excellent resource for understanding assurance. When we focus on the first and fifth heads of doctrine (which define election and perseverance), we find five essential truths concerning the doctrine of assurance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1. Assurance Starts with Election (I.12)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Canons of Dort give a helpful definition of election in article 7 of the first head of doctrine. The article explains how “before the foundation of the world, by sheer grace, according to the free good pleasure of [God’s] will, he chose in Christ to salvation a definite number of particular people.” Election is an immense truth. Scripture calls us to realize that the Lord had chosen His people before the world even began. How then does this overwhelming truth assure us? The Canons of Dort answer in article 12 of the first head of doctrine by stating that “assurance . . . is given to the chosen in due time . . . Such assurance comes not by inquisitive searching into the hidden and deep things of God.” We must realize that our God is completely different from us. Our Maker has chosen those who belong to Him. Therefore, as His creatures, we find assurance not by trying to delve into His hidden things but by reflecting on what He has revealed. We can receive immense assurance in the truth of election that He has revealed clearly throughout Scripture (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%209%E2%80%9311/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 9–11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2. Assurance Has Evidence (I.13)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Second, we see the fruit of assurance in article 13 of the first head of doctrine. The article states that in “the assurance of this election God’s children daily find greater cause to humble themselves before God . . . and to give fervent love in return to him.” The fruit of assurance answers one of the greatest allegations against the doctrine of election, as the canons go on to say that “this is far from saying that this teaching concerning election . . . make God’s children lax in observing his commandments or carnally self-assured.” As those who have full confidence that we are God’s elect, we also receive assurance in the evidence of our Christian lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3. Assurance Applies to Our Lost Infants (I.17)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Article 17 of the first head of doctrine gives great pastoral assurance for children of believers who die at a very young age. We are told, “not by nature but by virtue of the gracious covenant in which they together with their parents are included, godly parents ought not to doubt the election and salvation of their children whom God called out of this life at infancy.” An assurance of God’s covenantal promises is given for a specific sorrowful situation. We are pointed to the assurance of everlasting life even in the face of death’s sadness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           4. Assurance Is More than an Experience (V.9–11)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sometimes we can be tempted to look entirely to our own experience for assurance. How we feel quickly becomes the measurement of our assurance. However, the fifth head of doctrine provides a helpful description of assurance that involves more than our personal experience in articles 9–11. Article 9 shows how our assurance comes “in accordance with the measure of [our] faith.” Article 10 goes on to show what ground this assurance must come from. We are told that “this assurance does not derive from some private revelation beyond or outside the Word, but from faith in the promises of God . . . in his Word.” Furthermore, article 11 goes as far as to state that even our own doubts serve to strengthen our assurance (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%2010%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 10:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). So rather than looking for assurance in a personal experience or emotion, we are called to find assurance in the truth of faith in God’s Word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5. Assurance Is Not Apathetic (V.13)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Finally, the assurance of salvation leaves no room for apathy. The idea of apathy was another allegation brought by the Remonstrants against the doctrines of election and perseverance of the saints. The argument was that if the Lord had sovereign power in election, and if the Holy Spirit was at work in preserving the saints, then wouldn’t we be tempted to be apathetic in the Christian life? Why would we not claim assurance and live in apathy? Article 13 of the fifth head of doctrine answers this allegation by stating that we seek “to observe carefully the ways of the Lord . . . in order that by walking in them [we] may maintain the assurance of [our] perseverance.” In the second point, we considered how assurance has evidence. In this conclusion, we see how assurance desires evidence. Assurance cannot produce “immorality or lack of concern for godliness.” Rather, we find assurance as pilgrims on a journey. While we face doubts, difficulties, stumbles, and failures, we still may continue on a journey with full assurance that our Lord will not forsake us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This article is part of the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/collections/5-things" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           5 Things You Should Know
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            collection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/5-things-assurance" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/5-things-assurance
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 May 2023 14:25:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-2-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 5-1-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-1-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-1-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It's Spring!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His cheeks are like beds of spices, mounds of sweet-smelling herbs.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Song%20of%20Songs%205:13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Song of Songs 5:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here we are in the month when flowers come! March winds and April showers have done their work, and the earth is all dressed with beauty. Come, my soul, put on your springtime clothes and gather garlands of heavenly thoughts. You know where to go, for the “beds of spices” are well known, and you have so often smelled the perfume of “sweet-smelling herbs” that you will go at once to Him who is altogether lovely and find all loveliness and all joy in Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His cheek, which once was so rudely smitten with a rod, often covered with tears of sympathy and defiled by man—that cheek smiles with mercy and is a fragrant aroma to my heart. You did not hide Your face from shame and spitting, O Lord Jesus, and therefore I will find my dearest delight in praising You. Your face was furrowed by the plow of grief, and blood flowed freely from Your thorn-crowned brow; such marks of unbounded love fill my soul far more than words can tell. If I may not see the whole of His face, I would behold His cheeks, for the least glimpse of Him is exceedingly refreshing to my spiritual sense and yields a variety of delights.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Jesus I find not only fragrance but a bed of spices; not one herb, but all kinds of sweet herbs. He is to me parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. When He is with me, it is May all year round, and my soul goes forth to wash its happy face in the morning-dew of His grace and to solace herself with the singing of the birds of His promises. Precious Lord Jesus, let me in very deed know the blessedness that dwells in abiding, unbroken fellowship with You. I am a poor, worthless one whose cheek You have deigned to kiss! O let me kiss You in return with the kisses of my lips.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/01/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/05/01/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 01 May 2023 16:05:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-5-1-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-28-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-28-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-28-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Claiming God's Promises
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%20119:49/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 119:49
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whatever your particular need may be, you will find some promise in the Bible related to it. Are you faint and feeble because your way is rough and you are weary? Here is the promise—“He gives power to the faint.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.40.29.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 40:29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) When you read such a promise, take it back to the great Promiser and ask Him to fulfill His own word. Are you seeking for Christ and thirsting for closer communion with Him? This promise shines like a star upon you—“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/mat.5.3" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 5:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) Take that promise to the throne continually; do not plead anything else, but go to God over and over again with this—“Lord, You have said it; do as You have said.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are you distressed because of sin and burdened with the heavy load of your iniquities? Listen to these words—“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.43.25.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 43:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) You have no merit of your own to plead why He should pardon you, but plead His written promises and He will perform them. Are you afraid that you might not be able to hold on to the end and that after having thought yourself a child of God you should prove a castaway? If that is your condition, take this word of grace to the throne and plead it: “The mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.54.10.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 54:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you have lost the sweet sense of the Savior’s presence and are seeking Him with a sorrowful heart, remember the promises: “Return to me . . . and I will return to you.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ZEC.1.3.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zechariah 1:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) “For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.54.7.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 54:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )Feast your faith upon God’s own Word, and whatever your fears or wants, take them to the Bank of Faith with your Father’s note, which reads, “Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.119.49-50.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Psalm 119:49
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/04/28/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/04/28/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Apr 2023 14:53:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-28-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-27-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-27-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-27-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Beautiful Sadness
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As I look back, I choose to remember her as a soul redeemed by Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I do not remember her name but I will never forget her. She was both the most impressive and most tragic person I have ever met. I met her in jail. It was a county jail in a rural town. I was there to conduct a Sunday service of sorts. It was basically a handful of men sitting around a table in the "library." The room couldn't have been more than 20 feet by 20 feet. After the men, the women came in for their service. On this Sunday there were only two parishioners at the female service. Actually, there were only two female inmates in the whole facility. This wasn't prison; this was jail. Everybody there was in a holding pattern. Most of them were waiting for the workweek to begin so they could meet their lawyers to discuss whatever charge they were arrested for over the weekend. Drugs, bar fights, or domestic disputes were the usual offenses.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first woman to enter the room was young, twenty-six years old I would find out later. Well-spoken, educated, nice-looking, someone who, by her outward appearance (besides the gray county-issued sweatpants) looked like she had it together. The second woman was older, maybe early sixties. She was from Mexico. I do not know why she was in jail. I don't think she did either. Waiting for a deportation hearing was my guess. She spoke no English and my Spanish is all but non-existent. I read to her from a Santa Biblia that was in the library/chapel. She nodded as if she understood what I was saying. I do not know if she did. I felt pretty ashamed that I hadn't taken more Spanish in my formative years. The younger woman could translate a little bit. We had a nice service, I guess. We all left, one scared, one in control, and one a bit ashamed (me).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I came back the next Sunday. The men were a bit rowdy that day. I had a huge crowd, fifteen or so men, basically the whole jail. I was excited until I found out why such a large crowd attended. They were being disciplined. All their privileges were taken away including television. I do not know why; a fight maybe? They couldn't be barred from "church" so they all decided to attend my service just to get out of the bunk room/cell for forty-five minutes. After they shuffled out the women entered. Actually, a single woman, the twenty-six-year-old. The woman's side of the jail housed the same two females since the last time I visited. I asked her about her cellmate, the elderly immigrant. She said the old lady was frightened. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Can you communicate with her?" I asked.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Yes," was the reply. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "You speak Spanish then, right?"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "No, but I know Italian."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was a bit stunned. This was rural America. This younger woman was Lakota. I am not sure if she even finished high school.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Italian?" 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "I went away to a boarding school. A Lakota school. We learned Lakota and Italian." 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I asked her to teach me a Lakota word. I didn't think learning Italian would serve me much in my situation. She told me the word for love. "Thečhíȟila." It means "I love you." I will confess that I did not remember the word. I looked it up as I wrote this. It literally means "I suffer for you." 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Anyway, we started to talk about language. There would be no service that day. This lady blew me away. She was a savant. Absolutely brilliant. I asked her if she dreamed in different languages. She did. I was fascinated. We talked for a long time. We talked about how the English language doesn't have the depth of other languages especially when it comes to expressing a concept like love. She regaled me with the Lakota concept of love. Soon she opened up. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "I have been running for twenty years." She meant using. First marijuana then heroin. I didn't ask why such a brilliant woman was stuck in this pathetic room with me. I knew why even if I didn't know what charges she was facing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I did the math. Twenty years? She was only twenty-six. I asked her about this. She admitted that smoking weed began at six years old, with her mother. I didn't question the veracity of the statement. Maybe it was an exaggeration but she wasn't bragging or looking for sympathy. It just was the way it was. She had a boyfriend. She loved him and he loved her. In fact, I had met him. He was one of the males who came to my little church service. He listened. He asked questions. I brought him a Bible. He was truly thankful. He even insisted that I sign it which I thought was weird. But I understood. I brought him the gospel. My card was in it. I hoped he would call someday. Over the weeks I passed verbal notes between the couple. I am sure I wasn't supposed to but it was a county jail and the rules were relaxed. The inmates all knew the guards both inside and outside of the county facility. The line between the two was thin. The couple had two boys, one autistic. They were currently staying with the woman's mother. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I do not remember the exact order of the next weeks but I do remember one Sunday when nobody came to the woman's service. I saw four women pass by the window of the library/chapel in which I was sitting and waiting. They had declined this Sunday's invitation to church. My new friend saw me but ignored me. Another week she came with some of her friends. She was cold. As if we hadn't made a connection. Maybe she didn't want to be vulnerable in front of her cellmates. Who knows? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another time she came alone, the jail was fairly empty that weekend. Must have been a quiet weekend at the bars. En route to the library/chapel, she had been informed about her best friend. She committed suicide the night before. The emotion was raw as she walked into the makeshift chapel. I let her cry for a long time. Then we talked. We talked about Jesus, God, life, death, heaven, sins, and grace. She cried. I cried with her.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The time I remember the most was another Sunday in which she was my only congregant. We talked about language again and in particular, love. I wanted her to talk as much as I wanted to preach to her. We couldn't have been any different. Male and female. Caucasian and Native. Free and imprisoned. Sober and recovering. Materially blessed and poor. A normal guy and a savant. But here we were brought together by language. And in particular the language of love. More accurately, the language of Christ. We talked about the power of words. God's Word has creative power. "Let there be light,” and there was light. We talked about how God "babbeled" us when we tried to build a tower reaching into the heavens. He attacked our words! We talked about the dynamis of the Gospel (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%201%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 1:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The gospel Word is active and powerful. It moves and is dynamic. It is the power to save. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I did the C.S. Lewis "Four Loves" thing, well, my version of it. Many languages have multiple words for love. English speakers have access to many words for love too but we tend to stick with "love." We use it to describe both our favorite dessert and the love we have for spouses and children. That doesn't seem right, does it? I asked a professor of mine whether that was because we English speakers are so shallow that we do not vary our vocabulary when speaking of love. Or, was it that the English language was so poor that we English speakers are limited by the language and that affects how we love. He immediately said the latter. It is probably a little of both.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That tiny library/chapel was like a grad school classroom that Sunday afternoon. The teacher taught but the student happened to be smarter. We learned together. My Greek wasn't as impressive as her English, Italian, Lakota, and whatever other languages this prodigy picked up in her two and half decades so far. I told her about the Greek concept of philia. Philia is the love of friendship. It is a real and powerful love. It is the love you have with lifelong friends. While there can be a deep philia bond, philia love is generally the love of similars. We tend to choose our friends as opposed to our family or even our spouses (falling in love is something different than choosing to hang out with someone because you share similar interests). This love can be put down and picked up again. I cannot do that with my wife. She is a part of me. We are one flesh. Putting her down would be putting a part of me down.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But you can put philia down for years and pick it back up again. It is a beautiful thing. And we need this. We need friendships outside of the family. We need those people who have seen us at our worst and still want to be around us! They are good for the soul. She related to this. Her friends shared experiences and sufferings I could never know. They had a special bond. She loved them. She suffered for them in a Lakota way.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The second love is eros. The word "erotic" is derived from this Greek root. If philia is the love of similars, perhaps eros could be described as the love of opposites like a man and a woman. It is physical. It is not really chosen, it is on a different level. Eros can be passionate and physical like when two people fall in love and yet one can have an "eros" for war. It is not limited to sexual attraction. She lived this. There was no shortage of emotions in this young woman considering all she had endured. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The third love is storge. Empathy and affection are good translations of this word. It is the love of natural bonds. Friendship could be included in this category if we think of philia as a special kind of friendship love, the kind that forms groups and movements. Think of a special bond when a group of people come together and work together so brilliantly that they bond together. It might also describe the love of duty. Remembering ancestors was important for the Greeks. This is storge love. We might think of visiting a grandparent in a nursing home or perhaps the duty a soldier has for his country. My student knew this well too. She was a daughter. She was a mother. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then there is agape. This is the unconditional love of Christ for us and the love Christ gives to the world through us as much as we might dilute it. It is the basis for all true love. This love always has the best interest of the object of love in mind. It is the love that is willing to be the "bad guy" when a parent needs to be firm with a child or a friend must speak harsh truth. It is the love Paul expounds in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Corinthians%2013/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Corinthians 13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . It is the love of the cross of Christ. It is the love Christians have for others as sinfully tainted as it might be. My congregant that day knew this love too. She loved those who had harmed her. She loved those she harmed. She had been loved by Love. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then she was gone. After a couple of Sundays of not seeing her, I asked her boyfriend about her whereabouts. She had been admitted to a rehabilitation center in another part of the state. Good for her. The next week I found out that she had walked out of the facility. He didn't know where she was, the mother of his children. He was sad but not surprised. Then he was gone too. I do not know what happened to either of them. I had hopes for him. He was a father. I think he would do what needed to be done. I wasn't as optimistic about her. Maybe I am overly pessimistic but I figured there were only three options for her: prison, a rehabilitation center, or the grave. My time with her was sad but beautiful as only a gospel encounter can be. If I had met her in any other situation, I would have been so impressed with her that I would never forget her. She was that brilliant. I will never forget her for another reason though. I will never forget her because the gospel was preached to a tragic soul. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I am convinced that I will never again meet a person more fascinating than her. Nobody more brilliant and nobody more tragic. As I look back I choose to remember her not as a waste of talent or a walking tragedy or a symbol of what Native Americans have endured but as a soul redeemed by Christ. A beautiful and brilliant person living a full and flourishing life with her Lord. I hope to meet her again. I hope to meet her again at the Lamb's High Feast. I think I will.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/a-beautiful-sadness" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/a-beautiful-sadness
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 27 Apr 2023 15:18:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-27-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-26-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-26-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-26-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Good Shepherd
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Elections
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and the resulting political discourse remind us how much most people long for a leader who will bring us justice and peace, protection and prosperity. However, on every occasion our aspirations are dashed as leaders reveal their flaws and failures and self-interest. No one proves to be the ideal leader.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let me suggest one exception: Jesus who said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many today view shepherds through rose-tinted lenses, imagining them with their faithful dogs, caring for the sheep on grassy hillsides. The reality is that the shepherds of ancient Israel lived dangerous lives. And because sheep were the equivalent of money in the bank today, shepherds had to contend, not only with marauding animals, but also with thieves and armed robbers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Every village had their ‘banks’ – 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           sheepfolds – with their door and security guard
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . In John 10 Jesus twins the images of Door (or Gate) and Good Shepherd when he says: ‘…He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out (John 10:2-3). And in verse 7 he says, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep’, and in verse 10, ‘I am the good shepherd’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Shepherds.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Usually poor, and often treated as outcasts, shepherds played an essential part in the life of Israel. Israel’s kings were described as shepherds. King David, the greatest of the Old Testament kings had been brought from shepherding sheep to shepherd God’s people Israel. But it was not only the kings who were called shepherds, but also the religious leaders. In Ezekiel 34 we read that when they abused their position and failed their spiritual duty, God declared that he himself would shepherd his people. Ezekiel 34:1-31 echoes Psalm 23 as it speaks of God himself as the shepherd of his people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A millennium after David, Jesus says that he is the door and the good shepherd. As the good shepherd he brings together shepherd as a metaphor for the Messiah and the theme of death. False messiahs 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           took the lives 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           of men and women. The true Messiah 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           gives life 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           to men and women. And the life he gives, is life to the full (10:10). But it comes only at the cost of his own life ‘…Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep’, Jesus says (10:15).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We begin to see what Jesus means when he says he is 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           good 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           shepherd.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            He is not a do-gooder, for they tend to be more interested in themselves and what others think of them. This good shepherd is willing to take our death from our shoulders and bear it himself. That is what he means when he says he is the good shepherd who gives his life for the sheep. He didn’t die just to prove how much he loved us. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He died to save us from death itself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           eternal life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            in biblical terms is not an existence that goes on and on. Rather it is the expansion and intensification of the very best experiences we enjoy in life now. Jesus is not interested in the quantity of life but in the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           quality.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An underlying theme we often miss in John chapter 10 is the distinction that Jesus makes concerning his goal and his method compared with those who went before him and would come after him. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus was not a political Messiah.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In John 10:8 Jesus says: ‘All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, they will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The thieves and robbers were the false messiahs, the political activists of Jesus’ day. In their endeavors 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           to free 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Israel from Roman rule, they used violence in various forms. But Jesus charts a very different path in the cause of real life and true freedom.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As the door, he is the only one who has the right to open the gate of heaven and have the title Messiah. As the good shepherd, he has given his life to open the way to the freedom and joy of God’s long-promised kingdom.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When we consider these words of Jesus here, we discern their application 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           in our 21st century world. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The only real hope of freedom and life the progressive materialist has to offer is some kind of embodiment of Karl Marx’s classless society. According to Marx people could only find real happiness if they freed themselves from the imperialism of economic oppression and exploitation. Only then would the hostilities between races and nations be resolved and humanity be able to develop its full potential.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But don’t be misled,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jesus is saying. ‘These people have come to steal – they have no respect for personal property or enterprise. They have come to kill – they don’t value human life.’ Think of the millions who died under the 20th century revolutionary movements led by Lenin and Stalin, Hitler and Mao, Pol Pot and Idi Amin. And to what end? No perfect peaceful and just society has emerged.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘I am the good shepherd’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Jesus says. Have you personally heard the voice of the Good Shepherd through the Scriptures? And having heard it, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           do you trust him with your life and follow him
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ? That is what he calls us to – a life of discipleship; a life with the people who respond to his call.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I can’t tell you where that life may lead. I cannot say that life will be a bed of roses, or that all your problems will evaporate overnight. But one thing I can promise, because Jesus, the good shepherd promises it: you will find his leadership perfectly satisfies all your longings.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Only those who truly turn to him will find true life and liberty. They alone find true deliverance – they are saved. They alone find true fulfillment – they find satisfying pasture.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we want to find true freedom, deep satisfaction and real life, we need to turn to Jesus Christ – who carried not a gun, but a cross.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             Almighty God, you alone can order the unruly wills and passions of sinful men and women. Help us so to love what you command and desire what you promise, that among the many and varied changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys may be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/3-things-1-corinthians" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/the-good-shepherd/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Apr 2023 13:28:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-26-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Copy of  Devotional 4-25-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/copy-of-devotional-4-25-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-25-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3 Things You Should Know about 1 Corinthians
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1. The Corinthian church was fraught with challenges.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Apostle Paul was the founder of the church in Corinth. That is, he was the human instrument that God used to bring to birth this church. It was on his second missionary journey, early in the 50s, that he arrived in this city located on the land bridge that connected the Achaean mainland with the Peloponnesus to the south. It was a city blessed with two ports (Lechaeum and Cenchreae) and a cosmopolitan population of an estimated 150,000. It was populous, idolatrous, and immoral to the extreme.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul’s ministry began in the synagogue, but when opposition there became too great, he continued in the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. No doubt he also ministered in the agora and other places. “Many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Acts%2018%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 18:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). God encouraged Paul in a night vision to fearlessly continue ministering, for there would be many people in the city who would yet believe. He continued there for a year and a half. Thus, it must have been a sizeable church, made up largely of converted idol worshipers, with a lesser number of Jews. Paul refers to himself as their spiritual father (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%204%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 4:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, this was not an easy church to minister to. Some of them were formerly involved in the sexual perversions that the city was noted for, and others were idolaters, thieves, and drunkards (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%206%3A9%E2%80%9311/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 6:9–11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Furthermore, Paul refers to them as enamored with Greek wisdom (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%202%3A4%E2%80%935/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 2:4–5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), immature (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%203%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 3:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), puffed up (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%204%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 4:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), arrogant (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%205%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 5:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), boastful (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%205%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 5:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), inconsiderate (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%206%3A1%3B%2011%3A21%E2%80%9322/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 6:1; 11:21–22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), and the list could go on. How did Paul minister to the people in those circumstances?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is noteworthy that from the very outset of the letter, Paul gives thanks for them, commends them, and recognizes that they were not lacking in any spiritual gift (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%201%3A4%E2%80%937/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 1:4–7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Later, he makes it clear that he was not writing to make them ashamed but to admonish them as his beloved children (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%204%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 4:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). His pastoral love for them is evident throughout. His final words in the epistle are: “My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%2016%3A24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 16:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2. First Corinthians has a greater variety of content than any of the other Pauline Epistles.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           J. Gresham Machen wrote: “The First Epistle to the Corinthians affords more information than any other New Testament book about the internal affairs of an Apostolic church. First Corinthians alone presents the practical problems of an early church in the fullness of their puzzling variety.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles#fn1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            A reading of this letter reveals the wide range of subjects in the book. Paul was informed about these matters by two communications that he received: a report from Chloe conveyed by some of her “people,” perhaps servants (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%201%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 1:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), and another report from Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, probably in the form of a letter from the church (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%2016%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 16:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There were divisive groups (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%201%3A11%E2%80%9312/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 1:11–12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ); a case of incest of such a sort that it was shocking even to the pagans (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%205%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 5:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ); petty lawsuits being publicly aired (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%206%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 6:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ); need of instruction concerning marriage and divorce (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%207/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ); disagreements over eating meat that had previously been sacrificed to pagan idols (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%208%3A1%E2%80%9311%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 8:1–11:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ); various matters relating to worship and the use of spiritual gifts (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%2012%E2%80%9314/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 12–14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ); and a denial by some in the church of the reality of the resurrection (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%2015%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 15:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). That’s a dizzying list of difficulties, and that’s not even all of them. It was a church with a wide array of questions and concerns.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3. Although the Corinthians and their problems are largely separated from us chronologically and culturally, the way Paul engages with them is entirely relevant for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Once again, the observation of Machen is worth noting:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           First Corinthians deals with certain concrete problems of an ancient church. Those problems are not our problems . . . [But] Paul had the remarkable faculty of viewing even petty problems in the light of eternal principles. Here is the remarkable thing about First Corinthians—every question that is discussed in it is tested by the fire of evangelical truth. Hence the permanent value of the Epistle. How to apply the lofty principles of the gospel to the routine of daily life is the fundamental problem of Christian conduct. That problem cannot be solved for any man in detail, for the details of life are of endless variety; but the method of solution has been set forth in First Corinthians.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles#fn2" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is a good reminder that every Christian in every age must seek to apply Scripture to their own context. For that, we need help. Begin by using a good study Bible, like the Reformation Study Bible. Fuller commentaries are available, ranging from relatively simple ones to deeply technical ones. Helpful lists of the best commentaries have been compiled by Keith Mathison, Tim Challies, and others. Always remember that your greatest help is going to come from God. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Psalm%20119%3A18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 119:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is a good prayer to use whenever you read or study the Bible: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This article is part of the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/collections/3-things" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           3 Things You Should Know
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            collection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ol&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            J. Gresham Machen, 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The New Testament: An Introduction to its Literature and History
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1976), 131.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Ibid., 134.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ol&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/3-things-1-corinthians" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/3-things-1-corinthians
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Apr 2023 12:15:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/copy-of-devotional-4-25-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-24-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-24-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-24-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Renew Your Covenant
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Because of all this we make a firm covenant.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Nehemiah%209:38/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nehemiah 9:38
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are many occasions in our experience when we may very rightly, and with benefit, renew our covenant with God. After recovery from sickness when, like Hezekiah, we have had a new lease of years added to our life, we may do so appropriately. After any deliverance from trouble, when our joys spring forth anew, let us again visit the foot of the cross and renew our consecration. Especially let us do this after any sin that has grieved the Holy Spirit or brought dishonor upon the cause of God; let us then look to that blood that can make us whiter than snow and again offer ourselves to the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We should not only let our troubles confirm our dedication to God, but our prosperity should do the same. If we ever meet with occasions that deserve to be called “crowning mercies,” then surely, if He has crowned us, we ought also to crown our God; let us bring out again all the jewels of the divine regalia that have been stored in the jewel-closet of our heart, and let our God sit upon the throne of our love, arrayed in royal apparel. If we could learn to profit by our prosperity, we would not need to face so much adversity. If we would gather from a kiss all the good it might confer upon us, we would not have to bear the imprint of punishment so often.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Have we recently received some blessing that we hadn’t expected? Has the Lord opened our way? Can we sing of mercies multiplied? Then this is the day to put our hand upon the horns of the altar and say, “Bind me here, my God; bind me here with cords, even forever.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Just as we need the fulfillment of new promises from God, let us offer renewed prayers that our old vows may not be dishonored. This morning let us make with Him a firm covenant because of the sacrifice of Jesus that we have been considering with gratitude for the last month.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/04/24/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/04/24/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Apr 2023 16:27:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-24-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-21-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-21-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-21-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I Know
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I know that my Redeemer lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Job%2019:25/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Job 19:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The essence of Job’s comfort lies in the little word “my”—“my Redeemer”—and in the fact that the Redeemer lives. Oh, to get hold of a living Christ. We must get a share in Him before we can enjoy Him. What is gold to me while it is still in the mine? It is gold in my possession that will satisfy my necessities by purchasing the things I need. So a Redeemer who does not redeem me, an avenger who will never stand up for my blood, what benefit is there in that?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do not rest content until by faith you can say, “Yes, I cast myself upon my living Lord; and He is mine.” You may hold Him with a feeble hand and half think it presumption to say, “He lives as my Redeemer.” But remember, if you have faith even as a grain of mustard seed, that little faith entitles you to say it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But there is also another word here, which expresses Job’s strong confidence: “I know.” To say, “I hope so, I trust so” is comfortable, and there are thousands in the fold of Jesus who hardly ever get much further. But to reach the essence of consolation you must say, “I know.” Ifs, buts, and maybes are sure destroyers of peace and comfort. Doubts are dreary things in times of sorrow. Like wasps they sting the soul! If I have any suspicion that Christ is not mine, then there is vinegar mingled with the gall of death. But if I know that Jesus lives for me, then darkness is not dark: Even the night is light about me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Surely if Job, in those ages before the coming of Christ, could say, “I know,” we should not speak less positively. God forbid that our positiveness should be presumption. Let us make sure that our evidences are right, in case we build upon an ungrounded hope; and then let us not be satisfied with the mere foundation, for it is from the upstairs rooms that we get the panoramic views. A living Redeemer, truly mine, is unspeakable joy.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/04/21/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/04/21/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Apr 2023 12:26:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-21-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-20-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-20-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-20-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through Fire and Through Water
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The testimony of every son and daughter of God is, God has brought us through.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are few psalms that rival the opening invitation to worship the Lord of all like that of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Psalm%2066/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 66
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : “Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name’” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2066%3A1%E2%80%934/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 66:1–4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The anonymous psalmist appeals to all who can hear him to “sing” and “shout” and “say” how great the Lord is, to resound with acclaim the “awesome deeds” of the Almighty God, which leaves the whole world trembling with wonder. “All the earth,” then, is summoned to praise the Lord because of how awesome he is: “Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2066%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 66:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). We are, perhaps, quick to label ordinary items or events as “awesome,” without pausing to consider what that descriptor actually means. The overuse of the word “awesome” diminishes its meaning. In the King James, this word is translated as “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3372/kjv/wlc/0-1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           terrible
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ,” and is suggestive of that which leaves one standing in awe and reverence. (The speechless wonder of the Grand Canyon comes to mind.)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The point is, God himself is the only truly awesome thing there is in all creation. The awesomeness of the universe is but the echo of the awesomeness of its Creator. Accordingly, he is worthy of all the worship and praise we can muster (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2066%3A4%E2%80%935/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 66:4–5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Such is what happens when we go to church. The invitation to worship and to “come and see what God has done” is extended to each-and-every congregant every single time the sanctuary doors are open. The summons is to gather with the family of God and revel in his “awesome deeds.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What makes this particular anthem of praise so poignant, though, are the circumstances which surround it: “Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water . . .” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2066%3A8%E2%80%9312/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 66:8–12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We’re not told who wrote this psalm nor what was going on historically at the time of writing. What’s obvious, though, is that this was an especially grievous season for all involved. Those who sang these lines were those who knew first-hand what was to be laden with hardship and heaviness. Everyone’s collective experience made it seem as though they all were carrying around “a crushing burden” on their backs (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2066%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 66:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Apparently, they had been cursed to bear an “anvil of grief” everywhere they went. They felt trapped, as though they had been caught in a net. What’s more, it felt as though they had been trampled underfoot by their enemies (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2066%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 66:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Every new gut-punch of grief hit like a fresh horse-hoof to the face. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All in all, this season of duress was more akin to a season of prolonged agony and crushing defeat. To make matters worse, it appeared as though all of it was coming from God’s hands. “You, O God, have tested us; you have tried us . . . you brought us . . . you laid . . . you let” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2066%3A10%E2%80%9312/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 66:10–12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). God was the culprit behind the calamity. Every miserable bend in the road seemed to have the Lord’s fingerprints all over it, which, as you might imagine, left these folks more than a little disheartened and disillusioned. “What are you doing, God? Where are you leading us? Why are you letting this happen?!” You, no doubt, have bellowed similar questions in the night hours at some point in your life, maybe even recently. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Seasons of sustained suffering can oftentimes feel as though God has gone cruel. It’s as if God has taken us by the hand and led us straight over blazing hot coals. Or, to change the metaphor, it’s as if we’re standing on the banks of a yawning river, with God on the far side motioning for us to follow him — not over it or around it, but through it. And that’s precisely when we are apt to shout, “It’s too deep, it’s impossible to cross! There’s gotta be another way, some other route we can take!” The sufferers in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Psalm%2066/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 66
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            had reached their limit. They couldn’t bear to endure any more suffering, loss, or sorrow. “Okay, God, that’s enough. Just go ahead and show me what you want me to learn!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Seasons of sustained suffering can oftentimes feel as though God has gone cruel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We’ve all been there, at some time or another, and if all we had to go on was the first half of verse 12, we might well assume that this was it and that these folks had given up entirely. Maybe they were still there at the river’s edge, without any hope or direction. Or, perhaps, they had gotten into the water but stopped midway through, resigning themselves to wherever the current might take them. But the remarkable truth of this psalm is that their story didn’t end there. Adversaries trampling them to dust and pathways full of hot water was merely part one. Part two tells the rest of the story: “. . . yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2066%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 66:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , emphasis mine). 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Suffering and sorrow was not all that God had in store for them. His plan wasn’t to lead them to a place of pain and confusion, only to abandon them. Although, I must admit, it does feel that way sometimes. There are times when it feels as though God’s hand is holding onto us right up until those instances of excruciating heartache and perplexity. Then, suddenly, it’s as if we’re sailing on our own. This isn’t what’s true or what’s real, to be sure, but suffering can certainly make it seem that way. God harvests no thrill out of seeing his children suffer. He’s no cruel tyrant who merely likes to see his people drown under the weight of the “crushing burdens” he lays on them. Rather, he is a tender, loving, caring Father whose most earnest desire is that his people would be in the “place of abundance,” that is, his abundance
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The road to that “place of abundance,” though, is very often a direct route through the “valley of the shadow of death” — that is, through affliction, through pain, through adversity, and into a verdant glade. “Over the hills faith sees the daybreak,” runs 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Treasury-David-Volumes-Set/dp/0917006259" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Charles Spurgeon’s eloquent encouragement
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “in whose light we shall enter into the wealthy place” (2:1.112). When things seem disordered and directionless, God is leading us through. Even still, we are never promised lives without suffering or difficulty. In fact, the bevy of biblical revelation says just the opposite is true. “In the world you will have tribulation,” the Lord says. “But take heart; I have overcome the world” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2016%3A33/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 16:33
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God,” the apostle declares (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Acts%2014%3A22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 14:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Elsewhere, he states that we are “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%208%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 8:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , emphasis mine). “Through fire and water,” then, is vernacular for living by faith and not by sight. After all, who promises to be with us through all of those seasons? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The God who is “with us” makes that promise: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Is. 43:1–3). 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The everlasting promise of God to you and to me is that no matter what measure of suffering we face, he is right there next to us, going through it all with us, alongside of us. That’s who he is. He is Immanuel, he is “God with us,” which means “with us” through cancer, through death, through a breakup, through a layoff, through a car wreck, through changed plans, through it all. This is the promised presence we’ve been afforded through the Word and Spirit of Christ. The unwavering, changeless promise of the gospel assures us of God’s presence “through fire and through water.” “Behold I am with you always, to the end of the age,” the Lord assures his disciples (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%2028%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 28:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). We who belong to God are never in a place where God is not (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%20139%3A7%E2%80%9312/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 139:7–12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Furthermore, your current predicament is not a sign that God’s love for you has evaporated.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The everlasting promise of God to you and to me is that no matter what measure of suffering we face, he is right there next to us, going through it all with us, alongside of us
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The psalm concludes with this assuring word: “But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2066%3A19%E2%80%9320/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 66:19–20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It’s hard to fathom that as something that’s real. The “heat of the moment” rarely leaves us feeling loved, heard, or remembered. But, as the psalmist has said, it is through testing and trial that “silver is tried” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2066%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 66:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This offers us the best way to make sense of those troublesome moments when life feels thin and long, as if we are being weighted down by “a crushing burden.” Those times are not specimens of God’s anger and frustration towards us. Actually, the opposite is true. Scripture informs us that those are times which reveal his love. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The image that’s conjured by verse 10 is a familiar one within biblical literature (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Mal.%203%3A2%E2%80%933/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mal. 3:2–3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Pet.%201%3A6%E2%80%937/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Pet. 1:6–7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/James%201%3A2%E2%80%933/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           James 1:2–3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The word “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h6884/kjv/wlc/0-1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           tried
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ” literally means “to smelt” or “to refine,” referring to the purification process for a hunk of silver or other precious ore. This is a process of sweat and fire and grit, often involving repeated trips into a blazing hot furnace. To refine a brick of silver or gold, you put it through intense temperatures, with each pass through the flames melting away the slag, that is, the base metals in the ore that burnt off. The point is, the metallurgist harbors no ill-will for the metal he places into the furnace. Rather, it’s because of his fondness for the silver and his vision for what that silver can become that he puts that piece of ore into the flames.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Seventeenth century 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://archive.org/details/christaloneexalt01cris" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           English clergyman Tobias Crisp
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            offers this insightful perspective on how to understand this paradigm of suffering: “When you see the refiner cast his gold into the furnace, do you think he is angry with the gold, and means to cast it away? No, he sits as a refiner; that is, he stands warily over the fire, and over the gold, and looks unto it, that not one grain be lost; and when the dross is severed, he will out with it presently, it shall be no longer there. Even so Christ sits as a refiner; when once his gold shall have its dross severed, then he takes out his gold, and it becomes as gold seven times purified in the fire” (1:19–20).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Your present circumstances may be nothing but “fire and water,” but that 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.graceupongrace.net/p/gods-not-mad-at-you" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           does not mean God is mad at you
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Actually, it means that he loves you too much to leave you where you, as you are. His purpose isn’t to make you suffer, but to, through suffering, make us into what he has already said that we are: his children. We may wish for a different, less painful route, one that doesn’t include so much “fire and water” and suffering. But who knows the way better than us? God does. “He knows the way that I take,” Job exclaims, “when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Job%2023%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Job 23:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And just as this was testimony of Job the penultimate sufferer, the psalmist is sure of the same: “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2066%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 66:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The testimony of every son and daughter of God is, God has brought us through.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/through-fire-and-through-water" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/through-fire-and-through-water
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Apr 2023 12:37:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-20-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-19-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-19-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-19-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He is Risen Indeed. Hallelujah!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his book 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s Undertaker: Has Science Buried God?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Dr. John Lennox, emeritus Professor of Mathematics Oxford University, writes, ‘To the majority of those who have reflected deeply and written about the origin and nature of the universe, it has seemed that it points beyond itself to a source which is non-physical and of great intelligence and power’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Transcendent Power. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet in today’s world where influential voices sometimes angrily dismiss such a possibility, it is easy to overlook the transcendent power that was at work on the first Easter Day when Jesus physically rose from the dead. When we consider the evidence, it becomes clear that Jesus’ resurrection didn’t occur because of some 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           natural
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            mechanism.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            It happened because the creator God chose to intervene (Romans 6:4b).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The four Gospel writers record that on the third day following his crucifixion and burial, Jesus’ tomb was empty. He was seen physically alive by his close followers and many others.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eyewitnesses.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            In First Corinthians – one of the earliest New Testament Letters – chapter 15, verses 4b-6a and verse 8, Paul the Apostle writes: … 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and …he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at one time, most of whom are still living… Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul is saying that Christianity didn’t start because a group of fanatics had invented a story about their hero, nor because a group of philosophers had come to an agreed conclusion about life, and not even because a group of mystics shared the same vision about God. It began with eyewitnesses – ordinary men and women who saw something very 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           extra-ordinary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           happen. In fact, it began with the history of a man who had risen from the dead.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grand Design.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Furthermore, there was a far-reaching purpose in the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection. In Luke chapter 24 – the ‘resurrection chapter’ – the dominant theme is Jesus’ crucifixion: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It had to happen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his conversation with the two on the road to Emmaus Jesus said: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter his glory?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (24:26). He also pointed out, ‘If you knew the Scriptures you would have known that for me the road to the crown was through the cross. That was the message of the prophets. I am the suffering servant of whom they spoke’ (for example, Isaiah 52:13-53:12).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And later, when he met with the disciples, he spelled out God’s grand design. He showed them how 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the Scriptures
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            pointed to the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Messiah’s 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           necessary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            suffering, death, and resurrection 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           on the third day
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (24:46). Jesus’ death and resurrection were an essential part of God’s grand design, a plan formed even before creation came into existence and reaffirmed with the creation of men and women (Genesis 1:26a).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s good news. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke tells us that Jesus went on to tell the disciples what now 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           needs to happen:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Jesus’) 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (24:47). Jesus’ death and resurrection are tightly linked to the announcement of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the forgiveness of sins.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, Paul identifies this when he writes: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For I passed on to you as of first importance that 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ died for our sins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and was raised on the third day …
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (1 Corinthians 15:3)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is not merely that of a dead man who came back to life, nor that of a dying and rising god. Neither is it a romantic story that tells us that death is not the end. It is the record of Messiah’s shameful death by crucifixion, suffering the pains of God-forsakenness on our behalf because we have broken God’s holy law.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Simply to say that Christ died is insufficient.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Historians agree that he died. But the New Testament explains that his death was a voluntary sacrifice with a purpose – to satisfy God’s perfect justice, once and for all, on behalf of guilty humanity. Unless sin had first been dealt with, Jesus’ resurrection would not point to forgiveness and new life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To enjoy the benefits of Jesus’ death and resurrection we need to turn to him in a spirit of repentance, humbly asking God to forgive us for following the devices and desires of our own hearts and so breaking his holy laws. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A gospel presentation without the call to true heartfelt repentance is not the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ resurrection bears witness to God’s grand design for men and women – a design that offers full and free forgiveness, and a life of meaning and hope, love and joy forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his final Narnia story, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Last Battle
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , CS Lewis metaphorically opens our eyes to an ever-larger picture of God’s 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grand Design
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : ‘And as He (Aslan) spoke, He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            . Almighty Father, you have given your only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and to rise again for our justification: grant that we may put away the old influences of corruption and evil, and always serve you in sincerity and truth; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/he-is-risen-indeed-hallelujah/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/he-is-risen-indeed-hallelujah/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Apr 2023 13:20:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-19-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-18-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-18-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-18-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is Gluttony?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Curiouser and curiouser” (from Alice in Wonderland) seems an apropos response to our culture’s relationship to food. At one polar end, there are eating competitions to assess who can down the most hot dogs or slices of pizza. At the other, there is a growing movement of the practice of intermittent and prolonged fasting, apart from the Christian practice of prayer and fasting.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In between overeating and not eating at all, there is evidence of moral weight assigned to dietary choices. Recipes are commended as “virtuous and simple,” and invitations are made to cook and consume foods in line with “nature’s self-organizing perfection.” Ethical vocabulary may be noticeably absent from other spheres, but not so in the context of our eateries. A pilgrim following in Apostolic footsteps may well conclude after watching all the cooking shows and reading the gastronomical magazines: “Modern Western denizens: I perceive you are very religious!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gluttony, biblically speaking, can be summed up as laboring “for the food that perishes” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%206%3A27/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 6:27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It is not only found in over-consumption, but an idolatrous expectation that looks to eating and drinking to provide sating and fullness for the soul (the inner person). To be gluttonous, then, is to carry “broken cisterns that can hold no water” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Jer.%202%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 2:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). After all, food as a created reality is a gift, but not to be regarded as having the character or potency of the Creator and Giver (cf. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/James%201%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           James 1:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To be sure, gluttony is to be distinguished from proper feasting. The calendar of the old covenant church was punctuated by days of worship and feasting: “Keep your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Nah.%201%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nah. 1:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The communion of saints following the day of Pentecost included “receiv[ing] their food with glad and generous hearts” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Acts%202%3A46/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 2:46
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). A Christian abiding in Christ, who has the Spirit-given fruit of self-control, thus should be able to enjoy daily bread and feast in the presence of God. But believers must also be on guard, lest anxiety over what to eat or laying hold of edible goods as holding supernatural power enter into the equation of their lives (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%2012%3A22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 12:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%208%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 8:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of the keys to grasping gluttony and mortifying this sin is to know from the get-go that it starts in the heart, not in the stomach. Gluttony certainly involves the body, but it’s not limited to the body and cannot be reduced to bodily appetites and cravings. At the root of gluttony is what you are asking of what you are eating, what you are expecting of what you are taking in, in how you view and value what’s on the table in front of you. Is your belly your “god” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%203%3A19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 3:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )? In other words, are your taste buds and the hankering of your stomach what you are seeking to satisfy at all costs?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gluttony is not only found in over-consumption, but an idolatrous expectation that looks to eating and drinking to provide sating and fullness for the soul (the inner person). 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kim Chernin, author of The Obsession: Reflections on the Tyranny of Slenderness, wrote, “What I wanted from food was companionship, comfort, reassurance, a sense of warmth and well-being that was hard for me to find in my own life, even in my own home.” She confessed her own disappointment in discovering that, in the end, no cuisine translated into soul-food. All of us can likewise resonate with this: we are hungering beings as human beings, but what we take in our hands or forks for our filling—whatever delicacies or victuals there are—cannot match our deep-down need.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All sins are deadly: participating in the realm of death and leading to the place of death. What, then, is the healing medicine for gluttons by nature like you and me? It is not found in a new list of rules and restrictions, which “are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Col.%202%3A23/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 2:23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Rather, it is to seek the fullness of life in the only place it resides: the fullness and super-abundance of Christ Jesus (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Col.%202%3A9%E2%80%9310/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 2:9–10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He is the Living Bread who promises eternal life for all who feed upon Him (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%206%3A51/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 6:51
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remarkably, the Lord Jesus was accused of gluttony: “Look at him! A glutton and drunkard” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%207%3A34/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 7:34
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). While this accusation was defamatory and untrue, it arose from the observation that Jesus ate and drank with tax collectors and sinners. We could even say our Savior dined with those guilty of gluttony not in order to endorse it, but so that those with whom He reclined might feast their eyes (and hearts) on Him. “You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20John%203%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 3:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Truly, “the grace of God has appeared . . . training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Titus%202%3A11%E2%80%9312/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Titus 2:11–12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). When we delight ourselves in the Lord, we are freed to enjoy those appetizers, main courses, and desserts—now in their proper place as “goods” but not as “gods.” Liberated by our risen Savior, the domination of created entities and events is broken for us (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%206%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 6:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). In Christ are stored all the resources needed to be freed from all the vices that before had a vise-grip on us—gluttony included.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This article is part of the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/collections/virtues-vices" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Virtues and Vices
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            collection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-gluttony" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-gluttony
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 18 Apr 2023 12:33:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-18-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-17-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-17-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-17-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Every Day
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You have come … To the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Hebrews%2012:22,%2024/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hebrews 12:22, 24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reader, have you come to “the sprinkled blood”? The question is not whether you have come to a knowledge of doctrine or an observance of ceremonies or to a certain form of experience, but have you come to the blood of Jesus?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The blood of Jesus is the life of all vital godliness. If you have truly come to Jesus, we know how you came—the Holy Spirit kindly brought you there. You came to the sprinkled blood with no merits of your own. Guilty, lost, and helpless, you came to take that blood, and that blood alone, as your everlasting hope. You came to the cross of Christ with a trembling and an aching heart; and what a precious sound it was to you to hear the voice of the blood of Jesus!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The dropping of His blood is as the music of heaven to the penitents of earth. We are full of sin, but the Savior bids us lift our eyes to Him; and as we gaze upon His streaming wounds, each drop of blood, as it falls, cries, “It is finished; I have made an end of sin; I have brought in everlasting righteousness.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sweet language of the precious blood of Jesus! If you have come to that blood once, you will come to it constantly. Your life will be “looking to Jesus.” Your whole conduct will be epitomized in this—“to whom coming.” Not to whom I have come, but to whom I am always coming. If you have ever come to the sprinkled blood, you will feel your need of coming to it every day. He who does not desire to wash in it every day has never washed in it at all. Believers constantly feel it to be their joy and privilege that there is still a fountain opened. Past experiences are doubtful food for Christians; a present coming to Christ alone can give us joy and comfort. This morning let us sprinkle our doorpost fresh with blood, and then feast upon the Lamb, assured that the destroying angel must pass us by.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/04/17/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/04/17/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Apr 2023 12:17:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-17-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Major Sports Leagues and Events Schedules</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/major-sports-leagues-and-events-schedules</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Major Sports Leagues Schedules &amp;amp; Events
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            NFL:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.nfl.com/schedules/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.nfl.com/schedules/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            NCAA Football:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            NHL:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.nhl.com/schedule" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.nhl.com/schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            NBA:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.nba.com/schedule" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.nba.com/schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            MLB:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.mlb.com/schedule" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.mlb.com/schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            MLS:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/schedule" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.mlssoccer.com/schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The USFL:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.theusfl.com/schedule" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.theusfl.com/schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            NASCAR:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.nascar.com/nascar-cup-series/2023/schedule/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.nascar.com/nascar-cup-series/2023/schedule/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2023
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Rugby World Cup - France - Sept. 8 - Oct. 28:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            Pan AM Games - Santiago Chile - Oct. 20 - Nov 5:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.santiago2023.org/en" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.santiago2023.org/en
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Olympics - Paris - July 26 - August 11, 2024:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/paris-2024" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/paris-2024
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Sat, 15 Apr 2023 12:03:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/major-sports-leagues-and-events-schedules</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-14-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-14-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-14-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even in the Face of Mockery
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2022:7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 22:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mockery was a large factor in our Lord’s suffering. Judas mocked Him in the garden; the chief priests and scribes laughed Him to scorn; Herod set Him at nothing; the servants and the soldiers jeered at Him and brutally insulted Him; Pilate and his guards ridiculed His royalty; and on the tree all sorts of horrible jibes and hideous taunts were hurled at Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ridicule is always hard to bear, but when we are in intense pain it is so heartless, so cruel, that it cuts us to the quick. Consider the Savior crucified, racked with anguish far beyond anything we can imagine, and then picture that motley multitude, all wagging their heads or making mouths in bitter contempt of the poor suffering victim! Surely there must have been something more in the Crucified One than they could see, or else such a great and mingled crowd would not have unanimously “honored” Him with such contempt. Was it not evil confessing, in the very moment of its greatest apparent triumph, that after all it could do no more than mock at that victorious goodness that was then reigning on the cross?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           O Jesus, “despised and rejected by men," (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.53.3.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 53:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) how could You die for men who treated You so badly? Here is amazing love, love divine, love beyond degree. We despised You in our pre-converted days, and even since our new birth we have given the world a place in our hearts, and yet You bled to heal our wounds and died to give us life. O that we could set You on a glorious high throne in all men’s hearts! We would ring out Your praises over land and sea until men would universally adore you just as they once unanimously rejected You.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Your creatures wrong Thee, O sovereign Good!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          ﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            You are not loved, because not understood:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          ﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            This grieves me most, that vain pursuits beguile
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          ﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ungrateful men, regardless of Thy smile.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          ﻿
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/04/14/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/04/14/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 14 Apr 2023 12:22:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-14-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-13-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-13-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-13-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If Christ has not been raised, the Dead in Christ are Lost
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If it’s all a fiction spun by disappointed disciples, if it’s a mere symbol for the idea of an inner awakening, if it’s not a fact that Christ has been raised, then our grief and loss have no end, and we have no hope.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When I was a kid, I loved long words. In first grade we read Dr. Seuss’ Hop on Pop, and I was excited to be able to read not just “No, Ned, no! Don’t sit on that!” but also the big words on the last page: Timbuktu and Constantinople. Imagine my delight later in my growing-up years to learn what I was told was the longest word in the English language: antidisestablishmentarianism. It was just a string of letters, but I know now that it has a history as long as itself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the early years of the American republic, many states still had laws bidding citizens to follow certain religious practices — even after the passage of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. My childhood longest word referred to those who fought against (“anti” and “dis”) the notion that we should have to divest our government of all religion (“establishment”). One of the greatest proponents of disestablishing religion was the tobacco farmer, slave holder, third president, and fervent ultra-rationalist, Thomas Jefferson.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Often Jefferson’s aversion to religion has to be found by implication in his other writings, though it was well enough known that in the 1800 presidential election, he was accused of atheism. But when he died he left behind evidence in his library, what’s now known as “Jefferson’s Bible,” that reveals not atheism but deism. Jefferson did a cut-and-paste job on the Bible, eliminating anything that, to him, smacked of superstition. He glued the remaining passage in the equivalent of an 18th century Moleskin journal. What didn’t make it into his expurgated Bible were the miracles, Jesus’ ascension, and most importantly, the resurrection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Because it is Jesus, God-with-us, the Good Shepherd, the Light of the World, the Bread of Life, the Suffering Servant who is raised, there are far-reaching consequences.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What’s left is a presentation of Scripture as the founding documents of a moral system and was meant to help rational people achieve the amendment of their lives and the betterment of society. It was out-and-out deism with God as a helpful idea at best. And it’s a perfect example of Paul’s great subjunctive in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Corinthians%2015/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Corinthians 15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : “If Christ has not been raised.” If it’s all superstitious tripe. If it’s all a fiction spun by disappointed disciples, if it’s a mere symbol for the idea of an inner awakening, if it’s not a fact that Christ has been raised, then our grief and loss have no end, and we have no hope.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When the believers in Thessalonica expressed to Paul the anxious questions about death and resurrection, he was quick to remind them that the Holy Spirit’s gift of faith marked them as different from those who, like Thomas Jefferson, only had their five senses as a foil to death and loss. The deep hole of grief left when a loved one dies has nothing in the material world that our rational mind can use to counter its depth and breadth. The world can only regard death as the logical conclusion of either a well or ill lived life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But the resurrection brought Paul something new he hadn’t previously known. On the road to Damascus, he encountered no memory or symbol of the Jesus that was. He met instead Jesus with a voice who was risen from the dead, the presence of the one Stephen proclaimed when Paul played coat-check attendant at the first Christian martyr’s death. Of course, unlike the Sadducees, as a Pharisee, Paul saw resurrection as a possibility. But it was this man whom he considered a blasphemer rightly crucified who was raised. And that made all the difference.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Where faith is present, death can be regarded as nothing more than a long nap.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not only is the resurrection a fact, but because it is Jesus, God-with-us, the Good Shepherd, the Light of the World, the Bread of Life, the Suffering Servant who is raised, there are far-reaching consequences. For the Risen One is this Lord and Savior who promised in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2012%3A32/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 12:32
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” If Christ is risen, then his promises did not end at Calvary. If Christ is risen, then those for whom he died remain right where he kept them: in the spear wound in his side. If Christ is risen, then those who have fallen asleep in him, that is, those who trust him to accomplish what he promises, are certainly not lost.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ephesians%205%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians 5:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Paul tucks a bit of a hymn into his letter that adds to 1 Corinthians’ assertion that the dead are not lost: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Where faith is present, death can be regarded as nothing more than a long nap. If Christ is raised, then the grave is no more to be feared than my armchair and ottoman where I take a quick twenty-five winks after work and wake recharged in time for supper and an evening of Netflix. Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, has permanently grafted us alien branches to his vine. His Triduum sleep is ours; just so, his waking and tearing off his graveclothes is ours as well. To add yet another metaphor, the Christ remains the shepherd even of sheep that are lost to death, and if he is raised then he is also able to snatch his lambs from the grave’s wolfish maw.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Lost. Schmost,” says Jesus. “The waters of your baptism my be a past-tense event, but the promise attached to them lasts forever.” If Christ is raised, then baptism is a present-tense reality, and you’re already as good as raised right now. It’s been established, and no disestablishment naysayer to the resurrection (not even Thomas the Deist) and the resurrection’s certain promise can take it away.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/if-christ-has-not-been-raised-the-dead-in-christ-are-lost" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/if-christ-has-not-been-raised-the-dead-in-christ-are-lost
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 13 Apr 2023 13:51:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-13-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-12-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-12-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-12-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ is Risen...!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his book 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s Undertaker: Has Science Buried God?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Dr. John Lennox, emeritus Professor of Mathematics Oxford University, writes, ‘To the majority of those who have reflected deeply and written about the origin and nature of the universe, it has seemed that it points beyond itself to a source which is non-physical and of great intelligence and power’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Transcendent Power.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Yet in today’s world where influential voices sometimes angrily dismiss such a possibility, it is easy to overlook the transcendent power that was at work on the first Easter Day when Jesus physically rose from the dead. When we consider the evidence, it becomes clear that Jesus’ resurrection didn’t occur because of some 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           natural
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            mechanism.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            It happened because the creator God chose to intervene (Romans 6:4b).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The four Gospel writers record that on the third day following his crucifixion and burial, Jesus’ tomb was empty. He was seen physically alive by his close followers and many others.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eyewitnesses.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            In First Corinthians – one of the earliest New Testament Letters – chapter 15, verses 4b-6a and verse 8, Paul the Apostle writes: … 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and …he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at one time, most of whom are still living… Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul is saying that Christianity didn’t start because a group of fanatics had invented a story about their hero, nor because a group of philosophers had come to an agreed conclusion about life, and not even because a group of mystics shared the same vision about God. It began with eyewitnesses – ordinary men and women who saw something very 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           extra-ordinary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            happen. In fact, it began with the history of a man who had risen from the dead.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grand Design.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Furthermore, there was a far-reaching purpose in the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection. In Luke chapter 24 – the ‘resurrection chapter’ – the dominant theme is Jesus’ crucifixion: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It had to happen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his conversation with the two on the road to Emmaus Jesus said: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter his glory?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (24:26). He also pointed out, ‘If you knew the Scriptures you would have known that for me the road to the crown was through the cross. That was the message of the prophets. I am the suffering servant of whom they spoke’ (for example, Isaiah 52:13-53:12).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And later, when he met with the disciples, he spelled out God’s grand design. He showed them how 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the Scriptures
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            pointed to the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Messiah’s 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           necessary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            suffering, death, and resurrection 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           on the third day
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (24:46). Jesus’ death and resurrection were an essential part of God’s grand design, a plan formed even before creation came into existence and reaffirmed with the creation of men and women (Genesis 1:26a).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s good news.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Luke tells us that Jesus went on to tell the disciples what now 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           needs to happen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Jesus’) 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (24:47). Jesus’ death and resurrection are tightly linked to the announcement of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the forgiveness of sins.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, Paul identifies this when he writes: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For I passed on to you as of first importance that 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ died for our sins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and was raised on the third day …
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (1 Corinthians 15:3)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The story of Jesus’ death and resurrection is not merely that of a dead man who came back to life, nor that of a dying and rising god. Neither is it a romantic story that tells us that death is not the end. It is the record of Messiah’s shameful death by crucifixion, suffering the pains of God-forsakenness on our behalf because we have broken God’s holy law.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Simply to say that Christ died is insufficient. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Historians agree that he died. But the New Testament explains that his death was a voluntary sacrifice with a purpose – to satisfy God’s perfect justice, once and for all, on behalf of guilty humanity. Unless sin had first been dealt with, Jesus’ resurrection would not point to forgiveness and new life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To enjoy the benefits of Jesus’ death and resurrection we need to turn to him in a spirit of repentance, humbly asking God to forgive us for following the devices and desires of our own hearts and so breaking his holy laws. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A gospel presentation without the call to true heartfelt repentance is not the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ resurrection bears witness to God’s grand design for men and women – a design that offers full and free forgiveness, and a life of meaning and hope, love and joy forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his final Narnia story, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Last Battle
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , CS Lewis metaphorically opens our eyes to an ever-larger picture of God’s 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grand Design
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : ‘And as He (Aslan) spoke, He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            . Almighty Father, you have given your only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and to rise again for our justification: grant that we may put away the old influences of corruption and evil, and always serve you in sincerity and truth; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/christ-is-risen-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/christ-is-risen-2/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Apr 2023 13:37:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-12-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-11-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-11-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-11-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Humility and Overcommitted Busyness
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For millennia, thoughtful brothers and sisters have exegeted Scripture’s thoughts on the virtue of humility. I will not (indeed could not) attempt to tour us around all the faces and facets of the theology of humility that the Holy Spirit has wrought in the church, wielding each successive generation and individual thinker as a chisel or polishing cloth to bring out some yet richer aspect of humility’s power or what we might do to acquire it in greater measure. Instead, I want to direct our gaze to a significant blemish on humility in our own generation where we need further chipping and sanding: our overcommitted busyness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At first glance, the pathological busyness of our day seems disconnected from questions of humility, but it is precisely in caving to the pressure to be endlessly doing that our humility is most frequently vanquished. This often happens without a fight or even an awareness that we ought to be battling the temptation to arrogate to ourselves more activity than the Lord has handed us. Whether working on a job or a home, spending an evening with friends, or even attending to our spiritual growth, we so often live as if we could and should do more than we can and are called to.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The problem, simply stated, is our fierce functional arrogance. We experience it as stress—the constant burden to do one more thing, take on one more commitment, be in one more place. And indeed, there will always be a genuine strain from working in a fallen world. But a great deal of the burden is self-inflicted, and our Lord would free and heal us. We are discontent within the God-given limits of our brains, energy, emotions, circumstances, and the twenty-four-hour day. So, we race about from activity to activity. We anxiously knock out one more email, one more to-do list item. Sometimes I catch myself all but sprinting to and from the restroom to gain just a few more seconds. But then we take the same approach to breaks: We often binge-watch Netflix or scroll social media after we should stop, squeezing in one more moment away from the pressures of life and responsibilities waiting for us. Our family vacations are often filled with too many plans or too tightly held expectations of peace and quiet. Brothers and sisters, we don’t realize it, but we are grasping after God’s incommunicable
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles#fn1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           omnipotence and omnipresence, and nothing could be further from humility.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What must we do to be saved?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In short, we must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Peter%205%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Peter 5:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), laying down our proud belief that we ought to be equal to the obliviating pressures we face. We must repent of believing we can (and should) be or do more than Jesus asks of us. Remember, He is the one whose yoke is easy (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%2011%3A30/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 11:30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He gives rest—not an endless, unsatisfiable list of chores.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peter unfolds the secret to humbling ourselves, urging us to cast our anxieties on our Savior and friend because He cares for us. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peter then unfolds the secret to humbling ourselves in this way in the very next verse, urging us to cast our anxieties on our Savior and friend because He cares for us (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Peter%205%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Peter 5:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Thus, Christian humility must include an intentional, liberating, moment-by-moment discipline of entrusting to the Lord all the things we are not and cannot be doing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Think of it this way: every minute you spend doing whatever you are doing is also a minute you are not doing a thousand other things. And oh, how the weight of all those not-doings hovers over us. The greatest engine of franticness I know is the visceral feeling that, at each passing minute, the conveyor belt of time is relentlessly propelling me toward a thousand deadlines for a thousand other projects I cannot currently move forward.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Only a humility that casts its anxieties about what we aren’t doing and can’t be doing upon a caring heavenly Father can shield us from a self-imposed slavery to our unrealistic expectations and demands of ourselves. For here is the freedom of our faith: we can entrust Him with everything we have yet to do and everything we need to say “no” to and never will do. Handing Him the thousand things we can’t do in each moment protects us from both the seduction of chasing endless accomplishments and the anxiety of the “million things we haven’t done.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles#fn2" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, whether you are reading this quickly while rushing to pick up a child, a project, or a conversation, remember that you are not and do not have to be the one who oversees all things. Humility casts every unchecked to-do-list item, every fear of missing out, every vaguely recalled commitment, on Him. How? By simply naming, directly and honestly, all that needs doing to the Lord. So let us fill our hours with humbling prayers, saying: “Father, these are Yours. Help me to be diligent with what is in front of me, enjoying this moment’s adventure with You. Help me leave all I need to do later with You till You bring me to them. Help me say ‘no’ and leave with You all I won’t ever get to, trusting You with all I can’t control.” There is no relief like humility, which shelters in the shadow of the Most High one activity at a time, as we play our part with joyful obedience and leave the rest of redemption to Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ol&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Theologians describe God’s attributes as being either “communicable” or “incommunicable.” The former are attributes we can share with Him; the latter are qualities we cannot.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Apologies to Lin-Manuel Miranda for repurposing this phrase from Hamilton.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ol&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/humility-and-overcommitted-busyness" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/humility-and-overcommitted-busyness
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 11 Apr 2023 11:45:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-11-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-10-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-10-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-10-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Comfort on the Hill
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           … The place that is called The Skull.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Luke%2023:33/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 23:33
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The hill of comfort is the hill that is called The Skull or Calvary; the house of consolation is built with the wood of the cross; the temple of heavenly blessing is based upon the riven rock—riven by the spear that pierced His side. No scene in sacred history ever gladdens the soul like Calvary’s tragedy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is it not strange, the darkest hour
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           That ever dawned on sinful earth,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Should touch the heart with softer power,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           For comfort, than an angel’s mirth?
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           That to the Cross the mourner’s eye should turn,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sooner than where the stars of Bethlehem burn?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Light springs from the midday-midnight of Golgotha, and every herb of the field blooms sweetly beneath the shadow of the once accursed tree. In that place of thirst, grace has dug a fountain that runs continually with water pure as crystal, each drop capable of alleviating the woes of mankind. You who have had your seasons of conflict will confess that it was not at Olivet that you ever found comfort, not on the hill of Sinai, nor on Tabor; but Gethsemane and Golgotha have been a means of comfort to you. The bitter herbs of Gethsemane have often taken away the pains in your life; and the groans of Calvary yield rare and rich comfort.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           We never would have known Christ’s love in all its heights and depths if He had not died; nor could we guess the Father’s deep affection if He had not given His Son to die. The common mercies we enjoy all sing of love, just as the seashell, when we put it to our ears, whispers the sounds of the deep sea from which it came; but if we desire to hear the ocean itself, we must not look at everyday blessings, but at the transactions of the crucifixion. If you want to know love, then go afresh to Calvary and see the Man of Sorrows die.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/04/10/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/04/10/2023/
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Apr 2023 11:27:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-10-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-7-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-7-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-7-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Mournful List of Honors 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%204:2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalms 4:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An instructive writer has made a mournful list of the honors that the blinded people of Israel awarded to their long-expected King.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            They gave Him a procession of honor, in which Roman legionaries, Jewish priests, and men and women took part, He Himself bearing His cross. This is the triumph that the world awards to Him who comes to overthrow man’s greatest enemy. Derisive shouts are His only acclamations, and cruel taunts His only songs of praise. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            They presented Him with the wine of honor. Instead of a golden cup of generous wine, they offered Him the criminal’s anesthetic potion, which He refused in order that he might, in all its unmitigated horror, taste death; and afterwards when He cried, “I thirst,” they gave Him vinegar mixed with gall, thrust to His mouth upon a sponge. What wretched, detestable inhospitality to the King’s Son. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            He was provided with a guard of honor, who showed their esteem of Him by gambling over His clothes, which they had seized as their treasure. The bodyguard of Jesus was a quaternion of brutal gamblers. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            A throne of honor was found for Him upon the bloody tree. The cross was, in fact, the full expression of the world’s feeling toward Him. “There,” they seemed to say, “you Son of God, this is the manner in which God Himself should be treated, could we reach Him.” 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The title of honor was nominally “King of the Jews,” but this was distinctly repudiated. They really called Him “King of thieves” by preferring Barabbas and by placing Jesus in the place of highest shame between two thieves. In this way His glory was turned into shame by the sons of men, but it shall nevertheless still gladden the eyes of saints and angels, world without end.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/04/07/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/04/07/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 07 Apr 2023 12:32:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-7-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-6-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-6-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-6-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We Do Not Know the Man
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is undoubtedly true, however, is that St. Peter wasn’t left outside. He wasn’t left weeping. He was restored, as am I, as are you. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%2026%3A69-75/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 26:69-75
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Your accent gives you away.” Who? You. Your accent gives you away. You are one of them, aren’t you?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Your accent gives you away.” Perhaps not much else does—not your thoughts, not your words, not your deeds. But your accent gives you away. You must be one of them. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “I do not know the man.” Too often we’ve said it, perhaps without words, but sometimes with them, too. “I do not know the man.” Oh, if we were to watch our life on rewind, how clear that statement would seem. “I do not know the man.” If we did, would we live and think like we do, would we struggle just to keep up appearances, to maintain a veneer?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We hide in the courtyard. Meanwhile, the Lord is inside, suffering, enduring, submitting.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We sit outside. We look in. Isn’t that the story of our lives. We are spectators. We are bystanders. We saunter about the periphery. We hide in the courtyard. Meanwhile, the Lord is inside, suffering, enduring, submitting; a Sheep silent before its shearers; a Lamb going uncomplaining forth. He can leave the griping to us. We’re good at it. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How often couldn’t the rooster crow? Would we even hear it, though? We’re busy. Our ears are full of other things. Our attention darts about feverishly in a frantic search for we know not what. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God sends us servant girls. He’s sent them for years. Again and again they confront us. I suppose I am our servant girl today. What good has it done, though? Here we are. Here I am. Here you are. We do not know the man. We stand outside, while Jesus suffers, endures. All we have is our accent to give us away. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More than once in my ministry I’ve heard someone say, “I don’t go to church because it’s full of hypocrites.” More than once in my ministry I’ve thought it myself. My favorite professor, now in heaven, told us what to say to such an excuse, however. He told us, “When someone says, ‘I don’t go to church because it’s full of hypocrites,’ you tell them there’s always room for one more.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We all have reason to be outside and stay there. That’s where sinners belong. We have reason to weep, and weep bitterly. We belong with Peter. If our guilt ever truly sank in, if we really learned how to blush, our tears could fill Lake Michigan. And yet God won’t have us outside. God won’t have us weeping forever. That’s why the Lord is inside. That’s why he suffers and endures. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I went to Rome over spring break. That’s what you do with theology professor money. I was struck by the Basilica of St. Sebastian and the catacombs beneath. Peter’s footprints are on display there, the words “Quo vadis?” beneath them. “Quo vadis?” means “Where are you going?” When persecution struck Rome, St. Peter fled. Jesus met him on the way and asked where he was going. St. Peter then went back into the city to suffer and endure with his fellow saints. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let me share here what Luther purportedly said after scaling on his knees the Scala Sancta, the holy steps in Rome that Christ is said to have climbed to stand before Pilate. Luther looked down and mumbled to himself, “Who knows if it’s true?” What is undoubtedly true, however, is that St. Peter wasn’t left outside. He wasn’t left weeping. He was restored, as am I, as are you. He died in faith. He went to heaven. In fact, some of my favorite jokes have him standing at the gates.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I know you are his because of his grace, and that grace accents the words we sing, the sermons to which we listen, the prayers we pray, the confessions we make, and the absolutions we receive and give. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Your accent gives you away.” Peter’s accent was regional. His dialect betrayed him. Not so for you. What gives you away isn’t some extra twang or emphasis on certain syllables. What gives you away is grace. I know you are his, not because of your works, not because of your stellar resume or impeccable track record. I know you are his because of his grace, and that grace accents the words we sing, the sermons to which we listen, the prayers we pray, the confessions we make, and the absolutions we receive and give.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here we are, a lousy bunch of hypocrites, but we are here because Christ has brought us inside and taught us to speak. He has given us accents. And while we too often may seem like we do not know him, he knows us. He knows us and he loves us. That’s why he was inside, suffering, enduring. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ has no accent. He is the very Word of God. That we are not. We stand with Peter. We are saints, but we are also sinners. We will remain such on this side of the casket. And yet we are not what we were. We are something new, if very new. We are his. He has said so. That is the Word of God’s word to us. And so we are inside. Our tears are wiped away. We have an accent, and it only grows as we listen. “Your accent gives you away.” Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/we-do-not-know-the-man" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/we-do-not-know-the-man
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 06 Apr 2023 12:46:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-6-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-5-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-5-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-5-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Cross...!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Easter Day that we celebrate this Sunday is a gala day as we remember Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. His resurrection underscores the validity of the Christian faith. Without it, we are lost.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That said, our joy with Jesus’ resurrection raises interesting questions: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why isn’t an empty tomb the symbol of Christianity?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Why is the symbol a cross? In today’s age when feelings and political correctness trump facts it would surely make much more sense if we focused on the themes of the new life and hope that the resurrection symbolizes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet despite the fact that Jesus’ crucifixion was a bloody and brutal affair, the cross remains the symbol of the Christian faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the opening scene of Luke’s ‘resurrection chapter’ we read: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Luke 24:1-3).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Despair.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            There was no joy in the hearts of those women that morning. They had watched Jesus die and now were grief-stricken and despairing. They had believed that he was God’s Messiah and were looking forward to a new age of justice and peace, of laughter, love and joy. Now, their only thought was to give his body a proper burial.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We can picture them trudging to the tomb in the grey light of the dawn, burdened by their own thoughts and laden with heavy jars of oils and spices for the burial.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But that was not all. When they arrived at the grave, they saw that the huge stone closing the tomb had been rolled away. Was this some underhand action on the part of the authorities?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (24:4). They had despaired at Jesus’ death and now were terrified: they could only bow their faces to the ground at the dazzling appearance of two angels. And when the angels spoke, the women were even more confused: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            ‘You’ve come to the wrong place.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remember! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Remember how he told you while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise again…’”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Luke 24:6b-7a).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The angels could have explained the empty tomb. Instead, they told the women to remember what Jesus had said to them. The focus of Jesus’ words they quoted is important: ‘The 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Son of Man
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , the Messiah, had to suffer and die and then rise again’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Suffering and death
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            were essential to the first coming of God’s king.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Which brings us back to the subject of the cross. Richard Dawkins and others reckon that to say, ‘Jesus died for our sins’ is vicious and disgusting. ‘Why couldn’t God simply forgive sins if he so chose?’ Dawkins asks.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In every age Jesus’ death has been an enigma
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            – even for his first followers. Yet during the course of his ministry, he had foreshadowed both his death and his resurrection. Indeed, in his public ministry he revealed that he had not come as a political Messiah to bring in God’s kingdom through force.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rather, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           he came as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           a savior
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            to address our greatest need 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           – our broken relationship with God. Only Jesus Christ, the man from heaven, could deliver us from God’s just judgement and open the doors of hope for the future.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This theme infuses Luke’s gospel. At Jesus’ birth the angel announced that God’s savior had been born. And when he met with Zacchaeus, Jesus summed up his ministry saying, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Luke 19:10).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, his words at the Last Supper are key to the meaning of his death: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “This is my body given for you…”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “This is my blood shed for you…”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
             These words are amongst the oldest statements of the New Testament. We find them in First Corinthians, chapter 11, written around 50AD, as well as in Matthew, Mark and Luke, which were written no later than the 60s.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In fact when we read Luke as a whole we come to see that Jesus’ death is about 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s love and justice
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            – central aspects of His character. Some say that Jesus’ crucifixion was a form of child abuse – a father punishing a son for someone else’s wrongs. But we need to remember Jesus’ words in John chapter 10 verse 11, where he said he would lay down his life voluntarily.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The movement of the Bible tells us that 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness of sins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Levitcus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22). God, the wronged party, in his extraordinary love, came amongst us in person and bore the punishment we deserve. God as the judge, paid in full, once and for all time, the penalty owed by us, the accused who have been found guilty of dishonoring the name of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When we understand this, Jesus’ words at his Last Supper: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “My body given for you,”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “My blood shed for you”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , we begin to see why the cross, once an instrument of Roman brutality, became, and remains today, the symbol of God’s extraordinary love for the world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The cross is not a charm, but yesterday’s barbaric execution tool. Yet this was the price for our forgiveness required by the holy and just God. We surely tremble at the cost God was willing to pay for our restoration.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers – for Good Friday and Easter Day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Almighty Father, look graciously upon this your people, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Almighty God, you have conquered death through your dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ and have opened to us the gate of everlasting life: grant us by your grace to set our mind on things above, so that by your continual help our whole life may be transformed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in everlasting glory. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16KYvfIc2bE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Christ Alone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            from Keith and Kristyn Getty.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/the-cross/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/the-cross/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Apr 2023 12:43:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-5-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-4-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-4-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-4-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What Is Maundy Thursday?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many Protestants have attended churches that have had focused worship services on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. However, in Protestant churches that do not strictly adhere to the liturgical calendar and do not celebrate Maundy Thursday, some may be unfamiliar with the terminology and practice of Maundy Thursday. Historically, the Christian church celebrated Maundy Thursday at the beginning of the Triduum (i.e., the three days of Christ’s suffering). The Christian church has done so in commemoration of Jesus’ institution of the Supper, His washing the disciples’ feet, and His giving the new commandment in the upper room on the night He was betrayed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The word Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, which, in English, simply means “mandate.” In the upper room (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2013%E2%80%9317/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 13–17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), Jesus gave His disciples the new commandment (i.e., the new mandate) after washing their feet. This new commandment is found in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2013%3A31%E2%80%9335/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 13:31–35
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Having set an example by washing their feet, the Lord Jesus told the Twelve: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2013%3A35/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 13:35
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The word Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, which, in English, simply means “mandate.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It has not been uncommon for believers to misunderstand the symbolism of the foot washing and Jesus’ subsequent new commandment. Christ was not instituting a practice of foot washing as a sacrament in this act; neither was He teaching us that we fulfill the new commandment by literally washing the feet of other believers. Rather, He was acting out in His service of His disciples a parable regarding what He would do on the cross. Jonathan Edwards helpfully explains:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There were . . . symbolical representations given of that great event this evening; one in the passover, which Christ now partook of with his disciples . . . another in this remarkable action of his washing his disciples’ feet. Washing the feet of guests was the office of servants, and one of their meanest offices: and therefore was fitly chosen by our Savior to represent that great abasement which he was to be the subject of in the form of a servant, in becoming obedient unto death, even that ignominious and accursed death of the cross, that he might cleanse the souls of his disciples from their guilt and spiritual pollution.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles#fn1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By rising, stooping, and rising again, Jesus was acting out His incarnate humiliation and subsequent exaltation (cf. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2013%3A3%E2%80%9314/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 13:3–14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%202%3A1%E2%80%9311/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 2:1–11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).In the new commandment, Jesus is giving His disciples—who would become the foundation stones of the new covenant church—a mandate to serve and care for the spiritual good of His people. As Christ would die on the cross to wash the filthy souls of those He came to redeem, so He commands His disciples to follow His example in caring for the spiritual needs of others. This command is fulfilled in the preaching of the gospel and the calling of sinners to the Savior. By way of application, believers are also to care for the temporal needs of other believers. Since Jesus is the Savior of soul and body, so He calls elders and deacons to care for the spiritual and temporal (i.e., material, physical, etc.) needs of His people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The commandment to love and serve others is not unique to the New Testament. In the old covenant law, God gave His people the command, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Lev.%2019%3A18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lev. 19:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). What is distinct about the “new commandment” is that Jesus is fulfilling it in His sacrificial life and death for the redemption of His people. No one but Christ had ever so kept the command to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Through His sacrificial service, Jesus fulfilled 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Leviticus%2019%3A18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Leviticus 19:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            for the redemption of His people and set the example of what it means to love and serve others.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ol&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol. 2, “Sermon XVI: Christ the Example of Ministers, 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2013%3A15%2C%2016/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            John 13:15, 16
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ” (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1993).
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles#fnref1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             ﻿
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ol&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-is-maundy-thursday" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-is-maundy-thursday
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Apr 2023 14:01:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-4-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 4-3-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-3-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-3-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Does It Represent Your Sin?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So they took Jesus, and he went out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%2019:16-17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 19:16-17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He had spent the night in agony, and in the early morning He was hurried from the hall of Caiaphas to Pilate, from Pilate to Herod, and from Herod back again to Pilate. Consequently his strength was almost gone, but He was granted neither food nor rest. They were eager for His blood and therefore led Him out to die, burdened with the cross. At this sad procession the women wept, and my soul weeps in turn.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What do we learn here as we see our blessed Lord led forth? Do we not perceive the truth, which was foreshadowed in the scapegoat? Remember how the high priest brought the scapegoat and put both his hands upon its head, confessing the sins of the people, so that those sins might be transferred from the people and laid upon the goat. Then the goat was led away into the wilderness, and it carried away the sins of the people, so that if they looked for them they could not be found.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now we see Jesus brought before the priests and rulers, who pronounce Him guilty. God Himself imputes our sins to Him: “the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.53.6.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 53:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ); “He made him to be sin.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/2CO.5.21.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor 5:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And as the substitute for our guilt, bearing our sin upon His shoulders, represented by the cross, we see the great Scapegoat led away by the appointed officers of justice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Beloved, can you feel assured that He carried your sin? As you look at the cross upon His shoulders, does it represent your sin? There is one way by which you can tell whether He carried your sin or not. Have you laid your hand upon His head, confessed your sin, and trusted in Him? Then your sin no longer lies on you; it has all been transferred by blessed imputation to Christ, and He bears it on His shoulder as a load heavier than the cross.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do not allow this picture to disappear until you have rejoiced in your own deliverance and bowed in adoring wonder before the Redeemer upon whom your iniquities were laid.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/04/03/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/04/03/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 Apr 2023 14:02:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-4-3-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-31-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-31-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-31-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Weep for His Pain
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With his wounds we are healed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Isaiah%2053:5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 53:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pilate delivered our Lord to be scourged. The Roman scourge was a most dreadful instrument of torture. It was made of the sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were intertwined among the sinews, so that every time the lash came down, these pieces of bone inflicted fearful laceration and tore off the flesh from the bone. The Savior was, no doubt, bound to the column, and thus beaten. He had been beaten before; but this from the Roman soldiers was probably the most severe of His flagellations. My soul, stand here and weep over His poor, stricken body.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Believer in Jesus, can you gaze upon Him without tears as He stands before you, the mirror of agonizing love? He is at once fair as the lily for innocence and red as the rose with the crimson of His own blood. As we feel the sure and blessed healing that His stripes have wrought in us, does not our heart melt at once with love and grief? If ever we have loved our Lord Jesus, surely we must feel that affection glowing now within our hearts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           See how the patient Jesus stands,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Insulted in His lowest case!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sinners have bound the Almighty’s hands,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And spit in their Creator's face.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With thorns His temples gor’d and gash’d
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Send streams of blood from every part;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           His back’s with knotted scourges lash’d.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           But sharper scourges tear His heart.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We may long to go to our bedrooms and weep; but since our business calls us away, we will first ask the Lord Jesus to print the image of His bleeding self upon the tablets of our hearts all the day, and at nightfall we will return to commune with Him and sorrow that our sin should have cost Him so dearly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/31/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/31/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 31 Mar 2023 12:17:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-31-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-30-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-30-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-30-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Forgiven Sinners in Full Bloom
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we just say to God, “We don’t get it, please explain,” he will. He will send us a preacher to point us to his words for more clarification.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus says he speaks in parables so that, “seeing they might not see and hearing they might not understand” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%208%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 8:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So Jesus says things on purpose that we can’t understand. That’s not really helpful. We can’t see him as God and Savior either, and that’s his fault too. How are we supposed to worship him as God and Savior if he doesn’t want us to see him as God and Savior? What kind of a God doesn’t want us to know he’s God? What kind of a Savior doesn’t want us to know he can save us from sin, death, and the devil?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Well, since we’ve pretty much misunderstood (or misinterpreted) Jesus at every turn, would it really help if he just came right out and said it? For most Christians, a pastor stands in front of them Sunday after Sunday proclaiming that, “Jesus is God. Jesus is your Savior. He forgives all your sins. Rejoice and enjoy the freedom Christ gives you to love and serve your neighbor!” But do we believe the preacher? Will we actually go and love our neighbor in a similar way to how Jesus loves us? Or do we chalk up the pastor’s preachments as one person’s opinion? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Sure, Jesus is my God and Savior,” we say, “but that other stuff pastor says, I’m not sure I agree. I don’t really like what he has to say about my Jesus; telling me I don’t know Jesus and I don’t understand him. Who does he think he is, telling me how to believe and what to believe? It’s not as if he’s speaking for God.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is why Jesus is always thinking up examples that baffle us. Because we just won’t take him at his word. “Jesus is my Savior? Good. But, what kind of a savior do I want? What kind of a God am I willing to worship week after week? Tell me, Magic 8-Ball Jesus, what’s my future?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But what would happen to our faith in Jesus if he came along and upended all our ideas about him? What if he was mysterious? What if we didn’t correctly understand him? What if we simply couldn’t take him at his word, and more than that, didn’t want to from the start? Then what? Where does that leave us in our relationship with Jesus?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his story about the sower, for example, Jesus paints a picture of his kingdom that baffles everyone. Jesus’ hearers don’t applaud his parable, they’re frustrated by it. The sower sows the word of God. What does that mean? Does it mean that Jesus plants us like seeds, then we go and bear fruit. Is that the point? Or is the Christian Church the sower? Are we supposed to go around preaching the Gospel, spreading Jesus-seeds everywhere? It’s all very confusing without more explanation, a footnote, or the director’s commentary. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But if we just say to God, “We don’t get it, please explain,” he will. He will send us a preacher to point us to his words for more clarification. The Word of God, according to John’s Gospel, is the same one who was at the beginning with God, and who is, in fact, God. More than that, he is the one by whom all things were made, and he is the one who comes into the world to enlighten everyone, and his name is Jesus. He is the true God; the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and a whole list of other useful things, like bread, light, a door, and the resurrection to eternal life. So if God’s Word is the seed, that means that Jesus is the seed that is sown and his father is the sower. He is planted everywhere in the world without anyone’s help or say-so. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we just say to God, “We don’t get it, please explain,” he will. He will send us a preacher to point us to his words for more clarification.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So we see that he is the seed, and we hear that he is sown in the world, and do we then believe him? Do we take him at his word, or do we start concocting our own interpretations of the parable? Aren’t we exactly where he says we’ll end up as a consequence of his telling a parable? We see but don’t see, and hear but don’t understand. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And that’s the mystery of Jesus’ kingdom. He’s been here the whole time, but we don’t receive him as God and Savior on his terms. We insist that he conforms to our definitions of what a god is and what a savior does. Because of this, the church has missed the point of Jesus’ parable of the sower for most of her history. That’s why she’s always in a hurry to run out the door and start bringing Jesus to sinners. And why not, there are sinners out there that need saving. And who better to do it than us! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What if instead, we enjoyed the good news that Jesus’ parable about the sower isn’t about us. It’s not about how much fruit we can produce for the kingdom of heaven. It’s about a loving father going out and planting his son in the world so that he can die and by dying he can produce much fruit. Or, if that’s not clear enough, let’s call the fruit what it is in fact: us. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are the fruit of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We sinners have been called and saved by the Holy Spirit. He sends us preachers to proclaim the good news that we don’t get it, we never will get it, and we’re forgiven in Jesus’ name for not getting it. And that way, when we do get it, we won’t take credit. We’ll thank God that he opened our eyes to see and our ears to understand that Jesus is God and Savior for us. He even gives us faith to take him at his word. Then we ask and our question is answered. We knock and he opens the door for us. We seek and “he is a light unto my path” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%20119%3A105/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 119:105
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are the fruit of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We sinners have been called and saved by the Holy Spirit
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Jesus’ parable of the sower, we are seeing the fruit of God’s love for us bud and open into full bloom. It may not look like much at first: a few words, a little water, and some bread and wine, but when we look and listen in faith to what Jesus has to say about himself we learn that it’s everything we need for this body and life, and life eternal. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So we are preached to, we are washed, and we are fed these strange gifts that upend all our ideas about God. And we learn that, yes, he is mysterious. We don’t correctly understand him. We can’t take him at his word, and more than that, we haven’t since the start. And where does that leave us? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are the fruit of the seed that was sown. We are forgiven sinners in full bloom. We are the ones to whom our God and Savior says, “My beloved, in whom delight. Be at peace. All is well. You are forgiven.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/forgiven-sinners-in-full-bloom" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/forgiven-sinners-in-full-bloom
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 30 Mar 2023 14:39:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-30-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Video teaching: The Conversion Theology of Whitefield and Wesley</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/video-teaching-the-conversion-theology-of-whitefield-and-wesley</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Video Teaching 6 week class:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Born Again: The Evangelical Theology of Conversion in John Wesley and George Whitefield (this class discusses Whitefield)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://seanmcgever.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dr. Sean McGever
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            author of the book has graciously offered to teach it in a video class format over a 6 week period beginning Thursday, April 13 from 4:00 - 5:00 PM EST (4:00 PM - 5:00 PM each week).  The book is technical and specific about the theology of each man meaning you will gain exact understanding of what each was attempting to do in their ministry.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first six weeks cover Whitefield.  Here are the class titles:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These are the topics each week:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Apr 13
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Session 1: Intro &amp;amp; Conversion: Turning “to” and “from
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             Apr 20 
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Session 2: Preceding conversion: convinced, convicted, awakened
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Apr 27   
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Session 3: Instantaneous conversion
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             May  4
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Session 4: Continued evidence of conversion
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             May 11   
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Session 5: Conversion: baptism, assurance, and decrees of God
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             May 18
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Session 6: Practical considerations: delivery and Whitefield sermon analysis
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            It's not necessary but it would help if your purchased the book beforehand.  You can find it here: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Born-Again-Evangelical-Conversion-Whitefield/dp/1683593308/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2YLC02WAK8GCK&amp;amp;keywords=the+theology+of+conversion+of+whitefield+and+wesley&amp;amp;qid=1680100487&amp;amp;s=books&amp;amp;sprefix=the+theology+of+conversion+of+whitefield+and+wesley%2Cstripbooks%2C108&amp;amp;sr=1-1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Born Again
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            .
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you plan to attend simply send an email to info@sfoi.org saying you want to participate in the Born Again Class. Once you do that you will be sent the video conferencing link.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Born-Again-Evangelical-Conversion-Whitefield-ebook/dp/B083Z78LCD/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37T8EMEA4P2UW&amp;amp;keywords=born+again+the+evangelical+theology+of+conversion+in+john+wesley+and+whitefield&amp;amp;qid=1680114096&amp;amp;s=digital-text&amp;amp;sprefix=born+again+the+evangelical+theology+of+conversion+in+john+wesley+and+whitefield%2Cdigital-text%2C94&amp;amp;sr=1-1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/52779507994_ebc6a3f262_c.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/52779507994_ebc6a3f262_c.jpg" length="114896" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 29 Mar 2023 14:36:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/video-teaching-the-conversion-theology-of-whitefield-and-wesley</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/52779507994_ebc6a3f262_c.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/52779507994_ebc6a3f262_c.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-29-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-29-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-29-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The King...?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Royal events attract the attention of millions around the world. It is estimated some 4 billion people watched the funeral of her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II – more than twice the population of the world when she was born.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How different was another royal occasion, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem to the acclamation of the crowds calling on him as God’s King.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A King’s Welcome. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Gospels tell us that Jesus deliberately set the scene for his entry into Jerusalem that day. Riding into the city on the back of the foal of a donkey, he was fulfilling a prophecy about the Messiah made by Zechariah some 500 years before (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ZEC.9.9.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zechariah 9:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When Jesus prepared to ride the donkey, the disciples threw their cloaks on its back, and Luke records that as Jesus rode down from the Mount of Olives 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           people kept spreading their cloaks on the road.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            His entry into Jerusalem had the hallmarks of a king entering his city (Luke 19:35f).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, Luke along with other Gospel writers wants us to feel just how much of a royal procession it was: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!…”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Luke 19:37f).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The crowds were singing one of the festival psalms for the Passover Feast (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.118.26.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 118:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It’s a song of victory, a hymn of praise to the one God who never loses his battles and establishes his kingdom.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            was another theme: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “…Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            they sang. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            was the angels’ song at the announcement of Jesus’ birth. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            the angels had sung (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/LUK.2.11-12.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 2:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, there was an irony here that the crowds in their enthusiasm seemed to have missed: this king was not riding a warrior horse. It was no royal or presidential motorcade with an armed security.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And there is another element to that first Palm Sunday which Luke records: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. … because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Luke 19:41-44).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Jesus came over the top of the Mount of Olives and saw the city, it is clear that uppermost in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           his 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           thoughts were his suffering and the destruction of nation’s capital, David’s royal city. Yes, he was the king coming ‘in the name of the Lord’ as the people sang. But he knew he was not coming to take up David’s throne at that time as everyone expected. Rather, he foresaw the city of Jerusalem – a smoking, desolate ruin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why would this happen? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Because Jerusalem failed to recognize the One who had visited it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On that first Palm Sunday there were joy, acclamation, and tears. Yet, five days later the unthinkable occurred: Jesus was put to death by crucifixion. The contrast between the first Palm Sunday when crowds acclaimed Jesus as king and the day he was strung up on a cross, could not have been more stark. One day the crowds were saying he was God’s promised king; within a week the dying Jesus was exposed to the vulgar frivolity of the Roman soldiers as they offered him wine and made a party of it. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “If you are the king of the Jews,”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            they mocked, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “save yourself”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Luke 23:37).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The events of that Thursday evening and Friday had moved swiftly. Jesus had been betrayed, arrested, brought to trial before the Jewish religious leaders, before Herod, and before Pilate. Herod and Pilate had declared him innocent of the charges against him. But the Jewish leaders were adamant he should be put to death.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And when Jesus was nailed to the cross, Pilate the Roman governor in Judea had ordered, as was the custom, that the charge against Jesus be nailed above his head – ‘King of the Jews.’ With Jesus’ resurrection and his conquest of death, Pilate’s notice was prophetic.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why then did Jesus die?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jesus himself answers the question. In Luke chapter 19, verse 10 he says, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost”.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The whole of the New Testament and the voice of the Holy Spirit in our hearts tells us why: he died for you and for me. As we read in Romans chapter 5, verse 8 the punishment for our sin was laid on him. Indeed, when he was dying, he prayed, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Luke 23:34).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Everyone watching the scene that day knew he was innocent. The 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           them
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            he was praying for are all who shut their minds to the voice of truth, the voice of the Spirit, and the testimony of their conscience. He was praying for the Roman soldiers and the Jewish leaders; he was praying for the crowd and his followers. But he was also praying then for you and me, for none of us has perfectly honored him as we should.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And isn’t it also true that although we have heard the story of the cross, there are times when we have refused to let it change us? How often have we failed to reckon that our indifference or arrogance towards him contributed to his pain.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How encouraging it is to reflect on the twin themes of Palm Sunday and Good Friday. As we consider their significance, we need to ensure that our own relationship with the king is secure. And when the joy of that really touches us, surely we’ll want to share it with family and friends as well as many others.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Almighty and everlasting God, in tender love towards humankind you sent your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take our nature upon him and to suffer death on the cross, so that all should follow the example of his great humility. Grant that we may follow the example of his suffering and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/the-king/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/the-king/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 29 Mar 2023 13:12:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-29-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-28-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-28-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-28-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What Is Lust?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It may well be that the first appearance of the sin of lust happened in the garden just as the man and woman made their tragic choice. As Eve considered the enticements of the serpent, she observed that the fruit was, among other things, “a delight to the eyes” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gen.%203%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 3:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Of course, there is nothing inherently wrong with something being pleasing to look at. But 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Genesis%203/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is the record of history’s most infamous sin. So, we may safely conclude that Eve’s longing look upon the fruit in delight was done with a lustful eye. It was a covetous glance; a longing to have something that was not proper for her to possess.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Because Eve was born without a sin nature, her sin of lusting for the fruit (or more specifically what she believed the fruit could give her) was a deliberately chosen sin in response to an external source of temptation. We call that a “temptation from without.” We, however, are in an even more difficult predicament than our first mother. Having been born with a natural preference for sin, we are quite capable of producing lustful desires on our own without any external source egging us on. We call that “temptation from within.” Consider the words of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/James%201%3A14%E2%80%9315/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           James 1:14–15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            : “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           desire
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (emphasis added).
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The New Testament word for lust is epithumia, which means “desire.” Of course, not all desires are bad. Indeed, there are examples in the New Testament of epithumia being used positively, such as when a qualified man appropriately “desires” the office of elder (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Tim.%203%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Tim. 3:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But epithumia is often used to refer to sinful desires, so epithumia is also rendered as “lust” and “passions,” as well as “desires.” Lust is the desire for anything that is sinful, such as illicit sex, intoxication, ill-gotten gain, revenge, or anything else that God forbids.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lust may also be applied to the way in which we desire something that is not in and of itself sinful. In other words, we may lust when we desire a good thing in the wrong way or for the wrong reasons. It is not sinful to desire a spouse. But it is sinful to desire another person’s spouse. It is not sinful to desire to be compensated justly for legitimate labors. But it is sinful to desire riches to satisfy our materialistic appetites or because we crave worldly security. It is good to rest. But the sin of sloth is what happens when that desire becomes twisted. You get the picture. Lust is both a desire for the wrong thing and a wrong desire for an otherwise good thing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lust, in all of its forms and expressions, is without exception sinful and, therefore, represents a sort of mutiny against God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Ephesians, Paul lists epithumia as belonging to those sins that characterize life outside of Christ when we “once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of our body” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%202%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 2:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , emphasis added). In Titus, we are told that prior to our conversion we were “slaves to various passions and pleasures” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Titus%203%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Titus 3:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , emphasis added). A life given over to such sinful desires is wildly inconsistent with the Christian life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peter refers to lust (passions) as a way of contrasting the life of the Christian with that of the unbeliever: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Peter%201%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Peter 1:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , emphasis added). “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Peter%202%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Peter 2:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , emphasis added). He tells us we must no longer live for “human passions but for the will of God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Peter%204%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Peter 4:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , emphasis added).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In rebuking the religious leaders who opposed Him and His mission, Jesus said that their “desires” (lusts) were the same as their father Satan (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%208%3A44/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 8:44
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Jesus locates the origins of lust within the evil heart of Satan. Not surprisingly then, lust, or worldly desires, often choke out the seed of the gospel in the human heart (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Mark%204%3A19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 4:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). So lust takes aim at the church’s efforts to gain a hearing for the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lust deserves our aggressive opposition. We must flee from it when it comes from outside of us and kill it when it gurgles up from our hearts. Lust is bad for us the way all sin is bad for us because it tells us that poison is sweet and dying is living. May we make full use of the God-given means of grace (Scripture, the sacraments, Christian fellowship, and prayer) to wage war against lust just as surely as lust wages war against us. May we look to Jesus and treasure Him in our hearts. His power and loveliness are far greater than anything with which the world can tempt us. Jesus’ promises are better by far than the mocking promises of worldly desire: If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Col.%203%3A1%E2%80%934/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 3:1–4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           This article is part of the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/collections/virtues-vices" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Virtues and Vices
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            collection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-lust" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-lust
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-lust" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Mar 2023 13:14:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-28-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-27-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-27-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-27-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Will you flee?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then all the disciples left him and fled.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Matthew%2026:56/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 26:56
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He never deserted them, but they in cowardly fear of their lives fled from Him at the very outset of His sufferings. This is but one instructive instance of the frailty of all believers if left to themselves; they are but sheep at best, and they flee when the wolf appears. They had all been warned of the danger and had promised to die rather than leave their Master; and yet they were seized with sudden panic and took to their heels.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It may be that I, at the opening of this day, have braced myself to bear a trial for the Lord’s sake, and I imagine myself able for the challenge; but let me be careful in case with the same evil heart of unbelief I should depart from my Lord as the apostles did. It is one thing to promise, and quite another to perform. It would have been to their eternal honor to have stood manfully at Jesus’ side; they fled from honor. May I be kept from imitating them! Where else could they have been so safe as near their Master, who could presently call for twelve legions of angels? They fled from their true safety.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           O God, let me not play the fool also. Divine grace can make the coward brave. The smoking flax can flame forth like fire on the altar when the Lord wills it. These very apostles who were timid as hares grew to be bold as lions after the Spirit had descended upon them, and even so the Holy Spirit can make my wretched spirit brave to confess my Lord and witness for His truth. What anguish must have filled the Savior as He saw His friends so faithless! This was one bitter ingredient in His cup; but that cup is drained dry; let me not put another drop in it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If I forsake my Lord, I shall crucify Him afresh and put Him to an open shame. Keep me, O blessed Spirit, from such a shameful end.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/27/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/27/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 27 Mar 2023 12:40:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-27-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-24-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-24-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-24-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heard in His Trial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           He was heard because of his reverence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Hebrews%205:7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hebrews 5:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How amazing is this reverence in light of the infernal suggestion that He was utterly forsaken. There may be sterner trials than this, but surely it is one of the worst to be utterly forsaken. “See,” said Satan, “you have a friend nowhere! Your Father has closed the door of His compassion against you. Not an angel in His courts will stretch out his hand to help you. All heaven is alienated from You; You are left alone. The companions from whom You have taken sweet counsel, what are they worth? Son of Mary, see there Your brother James, see there Your loved disciple John, and Your bold apostle Peter, how the cowards sleep when You are in Your sufferings! Look! You have no friend left in heaven or earth. All hell is against You. I have stirred up my infernal den. I have sent my letters throughout all regions summoning every prince of darkness to set upon You this night, and we will spare no arrows—we will use all our infernal might to overwhelm You; and what will You do, You solitary one?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the face of his cruel trial an angel appears to strengthen Him. “He was heard because of His reverence.” He was no more alone, but heaven was with Him. Perhaps this is the reason why He came three times to His disciples.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Backwards and forwards thrice He ran,
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           As if He sought some help from man.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He would see for Himself whether it were really true that all men had forsaken Him. He found them all asleep; but perhaps He gained some faint comfort from the thought that they were sleeping not from treachery, but from sorrow; the spirit indeed was willing, but the flesh was weak. In that dark valley He was heard because of His reverence. Jesus was heard in His deepest trial; my soul, you shall be heard also.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/24/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/24/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 24 Mar 2023 11:56:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-24-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-23-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-23-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-23-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you struggle like I do?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s scary to share my struggle and to show that I have cracks because once I’ve shown my cards, I open myself up for judgment. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           I sat on the floor, baby in my lap, as he drooled all over his toy. On the other side of the room, my toddler ran around playing with the other toddlers, kids busy shrieking with joy and frustration. Clustered together, the moms chatted, getting some much-needed time with other adults. At this particular play date, I was new to the area and just getting to know these women. We discussed normal things like, “Where are you from, and what do you do for work?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Occasionally in situations like this, I’ll throw out a specific question or statement to see what kind of parenting style or personalities the people I’m getting to know might have; something simple like, “I don’t know about you, but I’m not a huge fan of bath time….” If, after I state my feelings about bath time, a mom declares how she loves giving her kids baths and how it’s a part of their nightly bedtime routine, then my response is usually, “That’s awesome! I’m so glad that works for you and the kids!” But if the mom’s response is more like, “Yeah! Bathtime is not my favorite, either. I’m so tired at the end of the day; we probably don’t do it as much as we should...” Then I grab on! Aha!! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Oh, me too!” I respond. “Honestly… unless they really need it, baths are more weekly in our house than nightly!” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Really?” She says, “I sometimes feel like I’m the only one who struggles with it!” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           We have found something we can relate to, and an opportunity to bond over a shared struggle is born.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           When I put statements out there like that, sure, I want to get to know the other women better. But honestly, I’m also fishing to see if they are like me. The question behind the question is, “Do you have struggles like mine?” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sharing our struggles is hard, especially if I want to have a perfect mom facade. Ok, maybe not perfect. But how about at least “put together”? It’s scary to share my struggle and to show that I have cracks because once I’ve shown my cards, I open myself up for judgment. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, there is something in us that longs to put down the facade and ask, “Do you struggle like I do? Please tell me I’m not the only one?” And when one person is willing to go first and show some of their own cracks, you might find the next person’s wall starts to come down and be vulnerable about their own cracks.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           There have been times when I’ve felt like the only one with problems and when I’ve felt isolated in my issues. But in truth, we all have issues, and our issues can lead to thinking things like, “I must keep my problems hidden. No one needs to know my pain or how hard and ugly my struggle is! It’s selfish and embarrassing to burden others with this!” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Left to ourselves, we search for solutions, a program, a cure. We ask, “How can I figure this out? Do I need a better routine, more patience, and a better night’s sleep?” or “Maybe if I lose the weight, or get that raise, then I can be the person I “know” I can be…” These are both the types of thoughts that my sinful heart feeds on, as well as the lies the enemy shouts at us. The enemy wants to keep us feeling isolated with our thoughts faced inward, searching for our own solutions. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           We all have cracks or even gaping holes. We all have a sin condition that leaves us broken and imperfect. The struggles look different for each of us, but each one of us has them. It feels good when we can be honest with certain people about those deep inner issues. It feels good to hear that we are not “the only one.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, even in identifying with each other and being honest with our problems, we have a tendency to twist the use of sharing our struggles to lessen the weight of our own broken state. We start to twist it when we use others’ struggles to justify our actions or sin problems. Our related struggles shouldn’t be an excuse to justify our actions. Instead, God’s law proclaims to us our related struggles and points us to our related need, and then God’s gospel points us to Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ proclaims we can rest in our forgiveness on his behalf. And on account of him, we can let others know that forgiveness and peace at the cross are for them, too. Christ turns us from facing inward for solutions to facing the finished work of the cross that states, “It is finished.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Of course, skipping bath time is not a sin struggle. But it does serve as a mostly safe “open door” to admitting deeper struggles. The first cracks we show are often the small “acceptable” ones, but over time they give way to the big ones we know we shouldn’t have – the issues we hold close to the chest and are embarrassed to admit to just anyone. When the door opens to those conversations, the message of the cross is close at hand. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           The cross is close when you both find yourselves sharing your heart and admitting your weakness and your need. This is when we can point and be pointed to the cross where Jesus meets us with outstretched hands, taking our burdens and proclaiming forgiveness. Only Christ on the cross can take away the hold and the isolation the enemy makes us feel trapped in. There is no sin, problem, or weakness that is too big for our Lord and Savior. There is nothing that was not defeated through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Christ takes our problems, our struggles, and our sin and tells us we are forgiven. He tells us we are never alone, and in him, we are always enough.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           From:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/do-you-struggle-like-i-do" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/do-you-struggle-like-i-do
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 23 Mar 2023 12:47:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-23-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-22-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-22-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-22-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           T
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           he Death are Raised...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           The subject of death is not something we usually discuss. It’s too personal and confronting. Yet it’s the ultimate certainty we all face. It’s why literature, film and philosophy so often dwell on the themes of our mortality. But it’s rare that anyone claims they can do anything about it. Death is assumed to be the inevitable end for everyone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           In John chapter 10 we learn that life had been heating up for Jesus in Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders had attempted to stone him for his apparent blasphemy (10:31).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           So Jesus left the city for the region east of the Jordan River. There he learned that his friend Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary, was dying in the village of Bethany, near Jerusalem. Then learning that Lazarus had died, and against the advice of his disciples who feared the Jewish leaders, Jesus returned to Bethany where he was first met by Martha.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the course of their conversation where she said to Jesus that if he had come sooner her brother would not have died, he made an amazing assertion: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           I am the resurrection and the life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           His words are astonishing, for in saying, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           “I am the resurrection and the life…”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jesus wasn’t saying, ‘I promise resurrection and life’. Nor was he saying, ‘I procure,’ or, ‘I bring’ but ‘
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           I am
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            the resurrection and the life.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, in saying 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘I am’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            he uses the very words God used when he disclosed his name to Moses. Unless Jesus is equal with God his words are nothing short of blasphemy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           “I am the resurrection and the life…”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            he says. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Do you believe this?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            he asked Martha.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John records that Jesus then met Martha’s sister, Mary who 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Once again Jesus was rebuked for not having come sooner. But unlike Martha Mary allows her grief to flow. John tells us then that Martha and Mary weren’t the only ones to grieve:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus wept
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            (11:35).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           These words constitute the shortest verse in the Bible. How poignant, how stark it is.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           The word 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           wept
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            that John uses speaks of a deep anguished cry of grief. It’s the cry of heartfelt loss, the kind of grief that explodes from the depths of our inner being.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why did Jesus react this way?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            He didn’t weep like this when news came that Jairus’s daughter had died. Certainly Lazarus was a close friend but Jesus knew he was going to pull him out of that tomb.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus wept
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           . I suggest he was grieving for our human plight. No matter how successful we are, how good and compassionate we are, death awaits us all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Men and women, created in God’s image, are now broken images and broken images cannot endure the pure light of God’s perfection and glory. Jesus was grieving for what we as men and women had lost. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           As in Adam all die
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Paul the Apostle writes in First Corinthians chapter 15.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           At Lazarus’s graveside, Jesus felt the full impact of this and wept. But there is a sense in which Jesus grieved at what our loss would mean for him. It would mean that he himself would have to die. Only through his death could he conquer death and raise to life anyone who turns to him and believes in him. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           For as in Adam all die
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           , 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           so in Christ shall all be made alive
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            (1 Cor. 15:22).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Could it be true? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           The witness of Jesus’ own resurrection, the New Testament, the evidence of history, the existence of the Christian church, point to the conclusion that Jesus’ words were the truth. Apart from Jesus Christ we have no certainty about the future.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           And if there is a future life, how can we be assured that we are good enough to achieve it? Most people are aware of their failures – failures that we don’t want to talk about, let alone tell anyone about. It’s one of the reasons John Newton’s 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amazing Grace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            is so well known: it speaks to our sense of lostness, our need to be rescued and our hope for the future.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John’s record doesn’t stop with Jesus’ words to Martha and Mary. He went to the tomb and asked that the stone be rolled away. We can only imagine the scene. A graveyard, a cave in a hillside, filled with bodies and bones. The stench of rotting bodies as the gravestone was rolled aside.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           And then, standing at the entrance of the tomb, Jesus called, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Lazarus, come out!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           For a moment everyone must have thought he was mad. But then, a sight to behold emerged: still in his grave clothes Lazarus appeared.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Voices around us today 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           insist that because we now know the laws of nature we can be sure that miracles like this can’t happen. To which Dr. John Lennox, emeritus professor of mathematics and philosophy at Oxford University, responds, ‘The laws of nature that science observes are the observable regularities that God the creator has built into the universe. However, such ‘laws’ don’t prevent God from intervening if he chooses. When he does, we are able to identify the irregularity and speak of it as ‘a miracle’’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Men and women have come a long way in understanding and harnessing quantum chemistry, physics and medicine, but nothing compares with the naked power that Jesus wielded at that moment.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           The
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            scene is a picture of a time yet to come 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           when Jesus will once again appear on the stage of world events. On that day he will cry out in a loud voice, “Come forth,” and all the dead from throughout time will rise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           The question Jesus had asked Martha that day was: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you believe this?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           ”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Let me ask, can you say with Martha, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Yes Lord. I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Death is not the end of our story. Rather for all who turn to Jesus and believe in him, death opens the door to a new beginning of life that is everlasting.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            We beseech you, almighty God, to look in mercy on your people; so that by your great goodness we may be governed and preserved evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://anglicanconnection.com/the-dead-are-raised/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Mar 2023 12:49:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-22-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-21-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-21-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-21-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is anger?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Anger is unique among human vices in two ways. One, the Bible anthropomorphically describes God’s displaying anger. He is not provoked to lust, pride, or sloth, but He gets angry (e.g., 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ex.%2032%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 32:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). God expresses divine displeasure against evil. Because God is perfectly righteous, there must be a proper understanding and display of anger.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two, angry people are notoriously blind to their anger. Sin, of course, blinds us, but anger stands apart. Anger is often obvious to everyone but the angry person. This lack of self-awareness is anger’s specialty. The truth is that the angrier we are, the more confident we are that we are right and other people are wrong. With these unique properties of anger in mind, here is a brief biblical description of anger.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Essentials of Anger
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Anger says, “That is wrong.” It is a judgment, and judgment is intrinsic to our humanity. Human beings are incapable of not making judgments. We were created with a mission to discern good from evil, and we were created to make judgments in imitation of the Lord and in submission to Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Anger says, “I will make that right.” Anger is compelled to do something about a wrong. The wrong has risen past the level of overlooking an offense, and anger acknowledges that something should be done about it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s Anger
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God is good and just in His anger. God hates haughty eyes, a lying tongue, murderers, schemers, false witnesses, those who stir up dissension (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Prov.%206%3A16%E2%80%9319/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prov. 6:16–19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), dishonest scales (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Prov.%2020%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prov. 20:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and the injustices perpetrated by divorce (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Mal.%202%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mal. 2:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). All these imitate the character of Satan and will be judged. Our God is a warrior who will make things right (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2018%3A6%E2%80%938/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 18:6–8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sinful human anger does not seek God, it cares more about being right than it does about love, and it forgets the mercy that we have been shown.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch this holy anger in action; it is completely unlike our own. God is “slow to anger” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ex.%2034%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 34:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Even in His righteous anger, He remains willing to provide relief for His people (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ex.%2032%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 32:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). His anger is placed in constraints while His love in Christ knows no bounds. This love was made most fully known when He revealed the divine plan in which His anger is diverted: His righteous Son is crushed instead of us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus, fully God and fully man, is good in His anger. Jesus is angry when Pharisees try to prohibit Him from healing a man with a withered hand (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Mark%203%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 3:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), when money changers interfere with gentile worship (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%202%3A13%E2%80%9317/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 2:13–17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), and when His disciples try to fence Him from little children (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Mark%2010%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 10:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Yet notice this. Jesus’ anger is not merely His reaction but is also an expression of the will of God the Father (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%206%3A38/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 6:38
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our Anger
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ol&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Our anger often comes with disguises. Anger can be found in murder, violence, hatred, yelling, arguing, cursing, conflict, blame, revenge, irritability, jealousy, slander, gossip, taking joy in the troubles of others, sarcasm, grumbling and complaining, withdrawal and silence. If you believe you do not have a problem with anger, assume that you do.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Our anger is often driven by pride and selfish desire. We are called to imitate Jesus in our anger, and Christians now have the Spirit’s power to do, as seen in the positive expressions of anger on the part of the Apostles described in places such as Acts, 1 and 2 Corinthians, and Galatians. Nevertheless, we must issue a caution here: human anger prefers to live as though we were the righteous judge, as though our own glory is at stake, and as though judgment is in our own hands. Our anger is all too frequently proud and filled with selfish desire and a commitment to our perceived rights (see 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/James%204%3A1%E2%80%9310/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            James 4:1–10
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ). Even when our anger is directed against injustices against others, it often proceeds as a vigilante that is accountable to no one. Sinful human anger does not seek God, it cares more about being right than it does about love, and it forgets the mercy that we have been shown (
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%2018/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            Matt. 18
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ).
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Our anger often imitates Satan. The deadly nature of anger is even more frightening than it looks. Our anger often reveals that we participate in the flesh-death-devil alliance. We imitate the one “who has been a murderer and liar from the beginning” (
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%208%3A44/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            John 8:44
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ). This partnership explains why anger is so commonly mistaken as good rather than evil, and why angry people believe lies about themselves.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Our anger often deserves death because of its sinful root; Jesus takes the death that sin deserves upon Himself. Our hope is that the Spirit brings us into the light, convicts us of our murderous ways, reveals the patience and cleansing blood of Jesus, so we can come to Jesus in faith and repentance, mourn over our sin (
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/James%204%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            James 4:9
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ), ask forgiveness of those we have sinned against, learn the fear of the Lord, and be thankful (
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/2CO.7.10.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            2 Cor. 7:10
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ).
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ol&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Of course, much more could be said. For example, this does not capture the pastoral wisdom that we need if we are to help angry people. That wisdom could choose to focus on fears, aloneness, or how angry people have been victimized by angry people. Anger can certainly travel with these companions. But this overview is, at least, enough reason to search for the anger in our own souls.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This article is part of the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/collections/virtues-vices" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Virtues and Vices
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            collection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-anger
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 Mar 2023 12:31:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-21-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-20-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-20-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-20
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
          -23
         &#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My Beloved
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My beloved.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Song%20of%20Songs%202:8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Song of Songs 2:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was a golden name that the ancient church in her most joyous moments ascribed to the Anointed of the Lord. When the time of the singing of birds was come, and the voice of the turtledove was heard in her land, the church’s love-note was sweeter than either, as she sang, “My beloved is mine, and I am his; he grazes among the lilies.” Ever in her song of songs she calls Him by that delightful name, “my beloved.” Even in the long winter, when idolatry had withered the garden of the Lord, her prophets found space to lay aside the burden of the Lord for a little season and to say, “Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Though the saints had never seen His face, though as yet He was not made flesh, nor had dwelt among us, nor had man beheld His glory, yet He was the consolation of Israel, the hope and joy of all the chosen, the “beloved” of all those who were upright before the Most High. We, in the summer days of the church, are also able to speak of Christ as the best beloved of our soul and to feel that He is very precious, the “distinguished among ten thousand, and altogether desirable.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Since the church loves Jesus and claims Him as her beloved, the apostle dares to defy the whole universe to separate her from the love of Christ and declares that neither tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or the sword have been able to do it; nay, he joyously boasts, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ROM.8.37.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom 8:37
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My sole possession is Thy love;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           In earth beneath, or heaven above,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           I have no other store;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And though with fervent heart I pray,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And plead with Thee day after day,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           I ask for nothing more.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/20/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/20/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 20 Mar 2023 12:18:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-20-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-17-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-17-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-17-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why are people poor?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remember the poor.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Galatians%202:10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Galatians 2:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why does God allow so many of His children to be poor? He could make them all rich if He pleased; He could lay bags of gold at their doors; He could send them a large annual income; or He could scatter around their houses abundance of provisions, as once he made the quails lie in heaps around the camp of Israel and rained bread out of heaven to feed them. There is no necessity that they should be poor, except that He sees it to be best. “The cattle on a thousand hills” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.50.10.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps 50:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) are His—He could supply them; He could make the rich, the great, and the mighty bring all their power and riches to the feet of His children, for the hearts of all men are in His control. But He does not choose to do so. He allows them to experience need; He allows them to struggle in poverty and obscurity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why is this? There are many reasons. One is, to give us, who are favored with enough, an opportunity of showing our love to Jesus. We show our love to Christ when we sing of Him and when we pray to Him; but if there were no needy people in the world, we should lose the sweet privilege of displaying our love by ministering by our gifts to His poorer brethren. He has ordained that in this way we should prove that our love stands not only in word, but in deed and in truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we truly love Christ, we will care for those who are loved by Him. Those who are dear to Him will be dear to us. Let us then look upon it not as a duty but as a privilege to relieve the poor of the Lord’s flock, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, “As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/59/mat.25.40" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt 25:40
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) Surely this assurance is sweet enough, and this motive strong enough to lead us to help others with a willing hand and a loving heart—recollecting that all we do for His people is graciously accepted by Christ as done to Himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/17/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/17/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Mar 2023 11:17:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-17-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-16-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-16-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-16-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Working for a Generous God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunshine and rain, food and harvests, family, friends, and health, love and joy. All these things and more he gives, not because of what you do or don’t do, but because he is generous and gracious.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why is it so hard to accept God’s generosity? Our God truly is gracious and loving and generous toward us in so many things, and it’s consistently a hard thing for us to accept. We see an example of this truth at work in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Acts%2014/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul came to Lystra on his First Missionary Journey. He began to preach. One man who listened had been lame from birth. He had never walked, but he believed what Paul said. Paul saw him and said, “Stand up on your feet!” Immediately the man jumps and starts walking around.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The people start shouting, “The gods are here among us! They must be; look what they did!” They call Paul, Hermes, because he was doing most of the talking (Hermes was the messenger of the Greek gods.) They call Barnabas, Zeus. They saw these miracle workers as their gods and were determined to offer sacrifices in their honor.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul and Barnabas rushed to stop them. This sacrifice would be sacrilege; they had to stop it! Paul says, “The living God has sent us to turn you away from such worthless things. He’s the one who made all there is. He’s the one who brings you the rain and the crops and all good things. Listen now to the good news we have to share about what he has done for you!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our God works so generously in so many ways in our lives, and yet we struggle to receive the gifts he gives. We struggle to receive them because we always want to do something to consider ourselves worthy of them. Don’t we see that here?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The people of Lystra recognize they have just witnessed a great blessing, and it must have come from above. But how did they react? Did they say, “This is wonderful; tell us more about how God so generously gives!” Not at all! For a pagan, the favor of the gods always comes at a cost. They must sacrifice to show thanks. If not, those gods might take their blessings away or turn away from them altogether. Even more, if they are not thankful enough now, how could they expect the gods to respond to their cries for help in the future? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You might think, “How sad! How silly!” But how often don’t we think the same way? “Why am I suffering; is God punishing me for doing something wrong? I’ve been so good lately so I’m sure now God will help me with x,y, or z. Now he will answer my prayer. Look at all I have done, all I have sacrificed, doesn’t God owe me this one?” All thoughts like these are very much like the people of Lystra. But notice it is the law that drives all thoughts like these. They come so easily and seem so natural because the law pulls us to itself like a magnet. But the path of the law always ends in accusation, condemnation, and finally death.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our God chooses to work differently. Instead of pointing to the law, he works generously through the outpouring of grace. Paul begins by pointing out many blessings to the people in Lystra: rain, harvest, food, joy in life. Even if they didn’t realize it, these blessings poured forth from the hand of the one God who made heaven and earth. Take inventory of your own life. How has God generously blessed you? Sunshine and rain, food and harvests, family, friends, and health, love and joy. All these things and more he gives, not because of what you do or don’t do, but because he is generous and gracious.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And yet there is still a greater gift! That good news is what Paul went to Lystra to share. It is the news that Jesus has freed you from a worthless life of chasing after the law. Jesus fulfilled the law. Jesus earned righteousness. Jesus paid for every sin of failing to keep the law. Jesus, the living God in human form and flesh and blood, has come down to you. He does not demand sacrifice from you. He offered himself as the sacrifice for you. He is proof of God’s generosity to his people. He is the guarantee of God’s continued blessing, often in spite of us. He is the certainty of salvation apart from any law.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/working-for-a-generous-god" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/working-for-a-generous-god
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Mar 2023 11:42:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-16-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-15-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-15-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-15-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Blind See...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In our troubled world many long for the days of the great revivals – perhaps the days of the Wesleys and George Whitfield in England and in the US, or the years of Billy Graham, or the days of great revival in East Africa.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let me suggest we shouldn’t be discouraged. Jesus himself began with a small group of men and women and look what happened: by the 4th century AD the influence of God’s gospel had spread throughout the Roman Empire. This hadn’t happened through armed conflict but through the work of God’s Word and God’s Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come with me to the events that unfold in John chapter 9 – a chapter that reads like a drama in three Acts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Act 1. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be made manifest in him. We must work the works of him who sent me’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (9:1-4a).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A blind man begging on the side of the road was a familiar sight. But this man hadn’t contracted blindness through the dusty, disease laden air of those roads. He had been born blind, and the question Jesus’ close followers asked reflected Jewish theology: ‘Who sinned? This man or his parents?’ they asked. People often ask a similar question today when things go awry: ‘What have I done to deserve this?’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ response was unexpected: ‘Sin hadn’t led to this man’s blindness. Rather, it was to reveal God’s power’. Consider the simplicity of the drama that followed. Jesus doesn’t look for any expression of faith, he simply acts. And like all the gospel miracles, he wields the creative power of God. It’s a miracle which speaks of the uniqueness of Jesus. Jesus is a unique man doing unique things.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He spat on the ground, made clay and anointed the man’s eyes. ‘Go and wash…’ he commanded. The man obeyed and returned seeing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Just think how this simply stated drama would be written up today. There’d be a detailed description of what Jesus said and did. There’d be interviews with people who witnessed it, together with the inevitable question: ‘How did you feel?’ The gospel record almost seems flat and disappointing. But what mattered was what was done, not what was felt.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A marvellous miracle had occurred. Now what?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Act 2 five very different conversations unfold, revealing that the man had not only been physically blind but also spiritually blind. The first conversation was with confused neighbors. ‘I am the man,’ he said. ‘The man Jesus healed me’ (9:8-12).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But signs of tension emerge with a second conversation. The Pharisees disputed the credentials of someone who had healed him on the Sabbath (9:13-17). No one from God would heal on the Sabbath; how could a sinner do such signs? ‘What do you think?’, they ask the man. ‘I think he’s the prophet,’ he responded.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In a third conversation the Pharisees spoke with the healed man’s parents. In response to their questioning, they insisted their son was born blind but could now see. Anyone who said the man who had healed him is the Christ, would be excommunicated, the Pharisees warned. ‘Don’t involve us,’ the parents said. ‘Ask our son. He is of age.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And when the Pharisees spoke with the healed man, they aggressively observed that he had been born ‘in utter sin’. ‘Keep quiet and all will be well,’ they said. But the man wasn’t shaken. He knew that he was born blind and that now he can see. He was also beginning to see that these revered leaders were blind to the truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘We know that God has spoken to Moses,’ they said, ‘but as for this man, we don’t know where he is from’. ‘You call Jesus a sinner,’ the man responded. ‘If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The fifth conversation is one of the most beautiful found in the Bible (9:35-37). The man has just been rejected by the religious leaders, but Jesus seeks him out. ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’, Jesus asks. And the man’s response is honest and open: ‘I would believe if…’ Jesus’ response is stunning: ‘You have seen him. With your own eyes you have seen me, the Son of Man, And now I am speaking to your mind and heart, reaching the depths of your soul with who I am.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Lord I believe,’ he responded. And 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           he worshipped Jesus as though he were God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are few mountain peaks higher in John’s gospel. The man began by calling Jesus a man (9:11); then a prophet (9:17); and then, ‘this man must be from God’. Now he worships Jesus as Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s a road that many people travel as they awaken to their understanding of Jesus: he did live; he is a prophet; he must be from God; He is God – He is my Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But there is a Third Act as Jesus draws out the meaning (9:39-41). 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “For judgment I came into this world,” Jesus said, “so that those who do not see may see, and so that those who see may become blind”.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whenever Jesus spoke, he created tension within people. This continues today, for every time we talk about Jesus, people will react in one of two ways. Some will want to find out more and in time, come into the light of faith. Others will choose to be drawn into the darkness of unbelief – a terrifying thought.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But there is a very positive side to the healing of the formerly blind man. Through the miracle Jesus performed, through his own testimony, and through the testimony of the healed man, John reveals that Jesus is truly the man from heaven.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, the miracle is a parable. In the healing of the man born blind, God shows us his greater purpose: to give us spiritual sight – something he alone can do. We can’t get it by our own efforts. God opens eyes, drawing us to the truth and a living faith in the Lord Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Almighty God, grant that we, who justly deserve to be punished for our sinful deeds, may in your mercy and kindness be pardoned and restored; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/the-blind-see/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/the-blind-see/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 15 Mar 2023 14:13:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-15-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-14-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-14-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-14-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What Is Temperance
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           T
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           he word broken has a very different, if not opposite, meaning when speaking of a glass or a bicycle than it does when applied to a horse. A broken glass or bicycle is rendered useless, whereas a horse that is broken is made useful. When thinking about the Christian life, broken is more apropos of the latter meaning than the former. Sinners wrecked and ruined by the fall and their own sinfulness are brought into useful service for God and His kingdom. This transformation takes place through the fruit of the Holy Spirit known as temperance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Temperance today seems like something of a bygone era, associated with the “temperance movement” of the Prohibition and the outlawing of alcohol. Strong drink and drunkenness are in view when speaking about this subject, but it is surely not limited to this alone. The Greek word that can be translated “temperance” is often translated in more modern translations as “self-control” or “self-discipline” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%209%3A25/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 9:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Peter%201%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Peter 1:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The Apostle Paul in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Galatians%205/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Galatians 5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            contrasts the sinful work of the flesh (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gal.%205%3A18%E2%80%9321/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal. 5:18–21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) versus the fruit of the Spirit (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gal.%205%3A22%E2%80%9323/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal. 5:22–23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and ends that section by stating, “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires,” so as to “keep in step with the Spirit” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gal.%205%3A24%E2%80%9325/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal. 5:24–25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The self-controlled nature of temperance comes from being Spirit-controlled in all things.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Scripture likens a person or a nation without temperance or self-control as a “city without walls” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Prov.%2025%3A28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prov. 25:28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), a “wild donkey of a man” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gen.%2016%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 16:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), and a “wild vine” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Jer.%202%3A21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 2:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), all of which convey unbridled passions and pleasures leading to destruction. The Christian, in contrast, is depicted as one who is sober-minded, chaste, modest, quick to listen, and slow to speak. Instead of being wild, the disciple of Christ is disciplined in thought, word, and deed. Paul says that we are “to train (or discipline) [ourselves] for godliness” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Tim.%204%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Tim. 4:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This training in godliness comes from the character of temperance and self-control. Instead of readily satisfying every whim and impulse, the greater desire of obedience and God’s glory are governing factors. Temperance, therefore, is a Spirit-wrought fruit in a believer’s life that manifests itself in the godly abstinence of sinful passions and moderation of even good desires in conformity to Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One biblical character who demonstrates that this spiritual character must primarily reside in the heart and the mind, and not mere external conformity, is Samson. Outwardly he was under a Nazirite vow of temperance (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%2013%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 13:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), yet inwardly he lacked self-control. He commanded his father to get him a foreign wife amongst the Philistines because he “saw” her and said, “For she is right in my eyes” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%2014%3A1%E2%80%933/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 14:1–3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Unbridled lust became a great snare to Samson (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%2014%3A15%E2%80%9317/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 14:15–17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Judg.%2016%3A1%2C%205%2C%2015%E2%80%9318/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judg. 16:1, 5, 15–18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Even his vengeance on the Philistines was seemingly motivated by a personal outburst of anger that resulted in a vendetta against his enemies rather than from a holy zeal. In the end, Samson is a tragic tale of a powerful man who was weakened and destroyed by his lack of inward temperance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rather than being a killjoy, temperance in the life of a believer is part of the abundant life in Christ that brings forth good, God-glorifying fruit. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Contrast this with Jesus in His temptation in the wilderness (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%204%3A1%E2%80%9311/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 4:1–11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The devil’s ploy was to tempt Jesus to fulfill good desire in an unlawful manner. To do so, Jesus would have had to fulfill His desire instead of obeying His Father. At every point, He resisted because personal fulfillment did not justify the means of getting or attaining such desires. So, the sinless Savior withheld and went without because obedience and the glory of God were greater to Him than sinful self-fulfillment. His desire for God trumped all sinful temptation. That is the godly virtue of temperance in action.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This fruit of temperance will be primarily displayed in a Christian’s life in three areas. First, our thoughts are to be “transformed by the renewal of our mind”—no longer having our mind imprisoned by worry and anxiety (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%204%3A4%E2%80%938/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 4:4–8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), but rather setting our mind on things above (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Col.%203%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 3:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Second, the emotions of the heart are to be moderated by godliness and holiness (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Prov.%204%3A23%E2%80%9327/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prov. 4:23–27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), not dominated by anger, lust, greed, jealousy, envy, or covetousness (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%2015%3A18%E2%80%9319/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 15:18–19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gal.%205%3A18%E2%80%9321/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal. 5:18–21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Third, the deeds and actions of our mouth and life are to demonstrate the fruit of self-control from our speech that is to be fitting, not filthy; to our intake of food and drink that is to be moderate, not gluttonous or drunk; to our possessions and apparel that are to be modest, not showy; to our work ethic that is to be diligent, not slothful or domineering. The fruit of self-control touches on nearly every area and every stage of life as it is brought under the control of the Spirit (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Titus%202%3A2%E2%80%936/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Titus 2:2–6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It is no surprise, then, that a distinguishing qualification for an overseer is that he must be self-controlled (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Tim.%203%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Tim. 3:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Titus%201%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Titus 1:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In a world where self-restraint is seen as prohibiting self-expression and even hurtful and harmful to self, the Bible paints an opposite picture. Such “free” people go against the order of their Creator and thus destroy themselves through their uninhibited sinfulness. The Christian, however, is placed underneath the Holy Spirit’s bounds of temperance, thus destroying the bonds of sin and death. The Good Shepherd tells us: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2010%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 10:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Rather than being a killjoy, temperance in the life of a believer is part of the abundant life in Christ that brings forth good, God-glorifying fruit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This article is part of the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/collections/virtues-vices" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Virtues and Vices
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            collection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-temperance" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-temperance
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Mar 2023 13:50:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-14-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-13-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-13-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-13-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For the Unbeliever
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why are we sitting here until we die?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/2%20Kings%207:3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 7:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dear reader, this little book was mainly intended for the edification of believers, but if you are still unsaved, we are concerned for you, and we would like to say something that would be helpful to you. Open your Bible, and read this story of the lepers, and note their position, which was similar to yours. If you remain where you are, you must perish; if you go to Jesus you will live.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” is the old proverb, and in your case the venture is not great. If you sit still in sullen despair, no one can pity you when your ruin comes; but if you were to die seeking mercy, if such a thing were possible, you would be the object of universal sympathy. None escape who refuse to look to Jesus; but you know that others are saved who believe in Him, for certain of your own friends and neighbors have received mercy. So why not you? Why not taste and see that the Lord is merciful? To perish is so awful that if you could only clutch at a straw, the instinct of self-preservation should lead you to stretch out your hand.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We want to assure you, as from the Lord, that if you seek Him you will find Him. Jesus casts out none who come unto Him. You shall not perish if you trust Him; on the contrary, you shall find treasure far richer than what the poor lepers gathered in Syria’s deserted camp. May the Holy Spirit embolden you to go at once, and you shall not believe in vain.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then when you are saved, share the good news with others. Do not hold back; tell your friends at church first, and join with them in fellowship; let the watchman of the city, the pastor, be informed of your discovery, and then proclaim the good news in every place. May the Lord God save you before the sun goes down this day.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/13/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/13/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 13 Mar 2023 16:17:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-13-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-10-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-10-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-10-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Benefit of Affliction
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2030:6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 30:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Give a man wealth; let his ships bring home continually rich treasure; let the winds and waves appear to be his servants to carry his vessels across the bosom of the mighty deep; let his fields produce abundantly; let the weather be kind to his crops; let uninterrupted success attend him; let him stand among men as a successful merchant; let him enjoy continued health; allow him with braced nerve and brilliant eye to march through the world and live happily; give him the buoyant spirit; let him have a song perpetually on his lips; let his eye be ever sparkling with joy—and the inevitable consequence of such an easy life to any man, even though he may be the best Christian who ever breathed, will be presumption. Even David said, “I shall never be moved”; and we are not better than David, nor half so good.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother, beware of the smooth places of the way; if you are treading them, or if the way be rough, thank God for it. If God should always rock us in the cradle of prosperity, if we were always enjoying good fortune, and there were no clouds in the sky, and no bitter drops in the wine of this life, we would become intoxicated with pleasure, and we would dream that we were standing—and stand we should, but it would be upon a pinnacle; like the man asleep upon the mast, each moment we would be in jeopardy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We bless God, then, for our afflictions; we thank Him for our changes; we extol His name for losses of property; for we feel that if He had not chastened us in this way, we might have become too secure. Continued worldly prosperity is a fiery trial.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Afflictions, though they seem severe,
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           In mercy oft are sent.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/10/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/10/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 10 Mar 2023 12:43:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-10-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-9-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-9-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-9-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Forgive your parents
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Unprompted, without any warning, for no reason at all, without any instigation say, "I love you." And that will wash over your parents like a beautiful absolution.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This message was delivered to the students, staff, and faculty of Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I think that you students, the next time you go home, should forgive your parents. There is nobody that does more damage to children than parents. It is true that there is nobody who loves more unconditionally than parents, but there is also nobody that does as much damage to children as parents. And even though I have never met or never will meet most of your parents, I will speak for them and tell you that they are carrying a lot of guilt.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They are carrying a lot of guilt for the times they lost their cool. They are carrying the guilt for the things they should not have said but were caught up in the moment. They are carrying the guilt for things they should have said but didn't because they didn't have time. They're carrying a lot of guilt for the things they said and did that harmed you, that malformed you, that messed you up. They're carrying a lot of guilt, and the worst thing is that the more they try to be better parents, the busier and more stressed they become. Sometimes they even become worse parents as a result. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You students should go home and forgive your parents. And for those of you who are not students, I'm willing to bet that some of you still have a mother you haven't called in a while. Yes? Now, you students should not go home and say, "Mom, Dad, I forgive you." That would be weird and come off as extremely arrogant. So what you should do is this: you should, unprompted, without any warning, for no reason at all, without any instigation say, "I love you." And that will wash over your parents like a beautiful absolution. And their sins will be swept away, like a cloud, like the morning mist. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is how God operates, with this kind of love, an unconditional love. Take a listen to the prophet Isaiah.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you" (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Isa.%2044%3A21-22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 44:21-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When did Israel ever deserve anything but condemnation? When did we ever deserve anything but wrath? And yet here is God with tender words for his ancient people and you too. Notice all the "I"s in the text. God is the subject of the sentence. "I have made you. I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses. I have redeemed you." God is the subject of the sentence. Then he commands, "Return to me," which is the plea of all parents to their children. He says, "Return to me." A command that is actually a gracious gift. He still is the subject of the sentence. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But we, your spiritual parents, have done a disservice to all of you in the church. We have misled you. We have allowed this insidious thought to fester in your hearts about repentance. We got really smart, and we said, "Let me do some etymology," that is, the study of the history of words. We taught you that the word "repent" means "to turn." You are to turn from sin and towards God. So far, so good. But we left you without any gospel. We let this fester like cancer in you. We wanted to be good parents. We tried so hard. We wanted to give you free grace. "But you gotta turn to God," we said. We didn't mean to, but we left you with the impression that you had to first turn from sin, and then God would forgive you. We made you the subject of the sentence. And we let that cancer grow and eat at your faith. And either you went further away from God, falling into despair. Or even worse, you became arrogant and said, "I have repented. I have returned to the Lord." As if the prodigal son was supposed to go to everybody and say, "Look at me." 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here is the truth: God is always the subject of the sentence. Even when you try to be the subject of the sentence, God is always the subject of the sentence. God turns you. God repents you. Notice the "I's" in the text. God repents and turns you. It's a part of faith. And if it takes disease, it'll take disease. And if it takes failure, it'll take failure. And if it takes bankruptcy, it will take bankruptcy. If it takes some harsh law, it'll take harsh law. But he'll turn you. He'll repent you to him. He'll turn you back to him, and then he will turn you to others in love and forgiveness. Even your parents.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/forgive-your-parents" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/forgive-your-parents
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Mar 2023 13:48:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-9-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-8-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-8-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-8-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Happiness...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pensées
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Blaise Pascal, the 17th century French mathematician and philosopher wrote, ‘Everyone seeks happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. They will never take the least step but to this object…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John the Gospel writer tells us of a woman at a well in Samaria two thousand years ago who would have agreed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Like us, she longed for happiness, but it had eluded her. Five failed marriages testified to that. Thinking that love and sex and marriage would give her life meaning and happiness, she thought that each new man would be the answer. But each time she made the same mistake. Her life was a mess. She felt insecure, lonely, and dissatisfied.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An unexpected conversation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            But there came a day when her life was transformed through an unexpected conversation with a Jewish man.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ignoring social, cultural and political taboos, Jesus initiated a conversation with her through a simple request for water from the well. He didn’t talk about her life or matters of faith – at least to begin with. Rather he spoke then, as he speaks to us today, with concern and respect, meeting us where we are.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, it wasn’t long before he took the conversation to another level by speaking to her about
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           living water
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            This provided a natural opportunity for her to open up about her hopes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It happened this way. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (John 4:12-15).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus offered her water that would satisfy her deep inner spiritual thirst. He was saying that he is the answer to the emptiness and the longing for happiness that gnaw at our souls.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Most of us aren’t willing to acknowledge this and the woman that day was no exception. We pretend we’re doing well but the reality is that we often live closer to despairthan we admit. So, we endeavor to offset our sense of emptiness by filling our social calendar, making money, being a success, even pursuing sexual adventure. But it never works.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No matter how successful we are, no matter how intense the emotional relationships we might experience, nothing can be a substitute for the relationship with God for which we are made. But if we’re going to find Jesus’ answer to our longing for happiness, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           first
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           we have to admit our need.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come back.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!” The woman said to him, “Sir, I see that you are a prophet…” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (John 4:16-19)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Suddenly she realized that Jesus, whom she had taken for a progressive Jewish man, was nothing less than a prophet with supernatural knowledge of her life. She knew enough about religion to realize that she was being challenged to sort out her relationship with God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The big question was 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           where
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            to do this – the temple in Jerusalem, or a house of worship in Samaria? Jesus’s response is, in today’s world, politically incorrect: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (John 4:22-24).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus isn’t saying that it doesn’t matter what you believe so long as you’re sincere. Spirit and truth are not just synonyms for sincerity. When Jesus speaks of truth, he is talking about the inner reality of God’s being which becomes visible to us 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           through him
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           True worshippers must worship the Father in spirit and truth. This can only relate to who Jesus is and what he has done for us. Later Jesus says, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (John 14:6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The woman responded, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .Jesus’s response is breath-taking, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “I am he, the one who is speaking to you”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            – literally, ‘
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I who am speaking to you, I am
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ’ (John 4:26).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Twelve hundred years before, God had revealed his name to Moses: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I am that I am that is my name
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ”.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus was not just claiming to be the Messiah but to be one with God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The water that Jesus promised the woman that day would not just quench her thirst for real life but would bring her into a deep, satisfying and eternal friendship with the one true creator-redeemer God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Four centuries later, Augustine, the Bishop of North Africa wrote, ‘Our souls are restless until they find their rest in Thee (God)’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The eternal life that Jesus talks about, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the water
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            that will truly satisfy us, isn’t found in the acquisition of the latest phone or some new sexual experience. Indeed, the answer to our cry for happiness isn’t in a new religious experience. It involves a personal, mutually committed relationship with Jesus. Jesus is God in the flesh. He gives us life by giving us himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider what the woman did. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Leaving her water jar…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            John records (4:28). The symbol of her emptiness now lies abandoned at Jesus’ feet. She had found the living water for she had found Him. Things would never be the same again.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are tens of thousands of people like that woman, with empty lives. We don’t have to wait for anything special to happen to start a conversation with them. Rather, we need to be praying that God will open our eyes to opportunities to stimulate curiosity, awaken an awareness of need. It could even start with a question, ‘Have you ever read the real story about Jesus?’ followed by an invitation to look into the first eighteen sentences of that story over coffee (using TheWord121 – a very accessible annotated version of John’s Gospel).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Almighty God, we confess that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves: keep us outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, so that we may be defended from all adversities that may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/happiness-3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/happiness-3/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 Mar 2023 14:08:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-8-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-7-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-7-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-7-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Little-Faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Have faith in God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Mark%2011:22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 11:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Faith gives feet to the soul, enabling it to march along the road of the commandments. Love can make the feet move more swiftly; but it is faith that carries the soul. Faith is the oil enabling the wheels of holy devotion and of practical holiness to move well; and without faith the wheels are taken from the chariot, and we drag ourselves along. With faith I can do all things; without faith I will be missing both the inclination and the power to do anything in the service of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you want to find the men who serve God best, you must look for men of faith. Little faith will save a man, but little faith cannot do great things for God. Poor Little-faith could not have fought “Apollyon”; it needed “Christian” to do that. Poor Little-faith could not have slain “Giant Despair”; it required “Great-heart’s” arm to knock that monster down. Little faith will go to heaven most certainly, but it often has to hide itself in a nutshell, and it frequently loses all but its jewels. Little-faith says, “It is a rough road, beset with sharp thorns, and full of dangers; I am afraid to go;” but Great-faith remembers the promise, “Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be”; (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/59/deu.33.25" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deut 33:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and so she boldly ventures. Little-faith stands despondently, mingling her tears with the flood; but Great-faith sings, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you,” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/59/isa.43.2" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 43:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and she crosses the stream at once.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you want to be comfortable and happy? To enjoy the journey do you desire cheerfulness rather than gloom? Then “have faith in God.” If you love darkness and are satisfied to dwell in gloom and misery, then be content with little faith; but if you love the sunshine and would sing songs of rejoicing, covet earnestly this best gift, great faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/07/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/07/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 07 Mar 2023 14:52:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-7-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Praying with Paul</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/praying-with-paul</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Review on Dr. D.A. Carson's book on prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          Evangelist Tom Brewer provides a
          &#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            review of Dr. D.A. Carson's book entitled:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          "
          &#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/files/uploaded/Review-Praying-With-Paul.pdf" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           PRAYING WITH PAUL: A Call to Spiritual Reformation, D. A. Carson, Baker Academic, 2014
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Click link below to read Tom's Review:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/files/uploaded/Review-Praying-With-Paul.pdf" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praying with Paul - a Review of Dr. D.A. Carson's book on prayer...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <pubDate>Tue, 07 Mar 2023 13:45:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/praying-with-paul</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>What do you say when you pray?</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/what-do-you-say-when-you-pray</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What do you say when you pray?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png" length="87392" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 07 Mar 2023 11:52:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/what-do-you-say-when-you-pray</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-6-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-6-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-6-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be Sure
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You must be born again.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%203:7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 3:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Regeneration is a subject that lies at the very basis of salvation, and we should be very diligent to make sure that we really are “born again,” for there are many who imagine they are, who are not. Be assured that to be called a Christian is not the same nature as being a Christian, and that being born in a Christian country and being recognized as professing the Christian religion is of no significance at all unless there be something more added to it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Being “born again” is a matter so mysterious that human words cannot describe it. “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nevertheless, it is a change that is known and felt—known by works of holiness and felt by a gracious experience. This great work is supernatural. It is not an operation that a man performs for himself: A new principle is infused that works in the heart, renews the soul, and affects his whole life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is not a change of my name, but a renewal of my nature, so that I am not the man I used to be, but a new man in Christ Jesus. To wash and dress a corpse is a far different thing from making it alive: Man can do the one—God alone can do the other. If you have, then, been “born again,” your declaration will be, “O Lord Jesus, the everlasting Father, You are my spiritual Parent; if Your Spirit had not breathed into me the breath of a new, holy, and spiritual life, I would still be dead in trespasses and sins. ‘My heavenly life is wholly derived from You; to You I ascribe it. My life is hidden with Christ in God.’ It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           May the Lord grant us assurance on this vital point, for to be unregenerate is to be unsaved, unpardoned, without God, and without hope.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/06/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/06/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 06 Mar 2023 12:40:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-6-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-3-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-3-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-3-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Chosen for affliction
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Isaiah%2048:10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 48:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Comfort yourself, tried believer, with this thought: God says, “I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” [KJV]. Does not the Word come like a soft shower, assuaging the fury of the flame? Yea, is it not a protective shield, against which the heat has no power? Let affliction come—God has chosen me. Poverty, you may stride in at my door, but God is in the house already, and He has chosen me. Sickness, you may intrude, but I have balsam ready—God has chosen me. Whatever befalls me in this vale of tears, I know that He has “chosen” me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If, believer, you require still greater comfort, remember that you have the Son of Man with you in the furnace. In that silent chamber of yours, there sits by your side One whom you have not seen, but whom you love; and often when you do not know it, He comforts you in your affliction and softens the place of rest. You are in poverty; but in your lovely house the Lord of life and glory is a frequent visitor. He loves to come into these desolate places, that He may visit you. Your friend sticks closely to you. You cannot see Him, but you may feel the pressure of His hands. Do you not hear His voice? Even in the valley of the shadow of death He says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.41.10.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 41:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remember that noble speech of Caesar: “Fear not, you carry Caesar and all his fortune.” Fear not, Christian; Jesus is with you. In all your difficult trials, His presence is both your comfort and safety. He will never leave one whom He has chosen for His own. “Fear not, for I am with you” is His sure word of promise to His chosen ones in the “furnace of affliction.” Will you not, then, take hold of Christ and say:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through floods and flames, if Jesus lead,
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I’ll follow where He goes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/03/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/03/03/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Mar 2023 11:45:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-3-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-2-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-2-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-2-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Understanding Righteousness and Lent with Bonhoeffer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As disciples of Jesus, our righteousness cannot be performed before others, because our righteousness was already performed by Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others…” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%205%3A14-16a/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 5:14-16a
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%206%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 6:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%206%3A16-18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 6:16-18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we have been following the instruction of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount the past few Sundays, we will be struck with a contradiction when we come to the Ash Wednesday Gospel reading. Jesus has said, “Let your light shine before others,” and now Jesus says, “Don’t practice your righteousness before others.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus has told his followers to “let their light shine” for all to see, like a city set on a hill can be seen for miles around. Jesus has instructed his disciples not to hide their light. So why does Jesus now say that his disciples should not practice their righteousness openly? Why does Jesus say that they should hide their righteousness?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we enter into Lent this year, which is it? Should we, as the disciples of Jesus, shine our light or hide our practice of righteousness? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           During the somber season of Lent, many Christians fast in one way or another. And on Ash Wednesday, many of us will receive ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we go to church on Ash Wednesday and receive ashes on our foreheads, is this disfiguring our faces and so practicing the phony righteousness Jesus warns against? Do we need to make sure we wash the cross of ashes off our heads before we leave church? Can we stop at the store on the way home still wearing it? How can we engage in Lent without performing our righteousness to be seen by others? The twentieth-century German Lutheran pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer can help us answer these questions. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bonhoeffer was an anti-Nazi Lutheran living under Adolf Hitler’s reign of terror in Germany. Together with other believers, Bonhoeffer stood bravely against Hitler’s takeover of the German churches, against the Nazi’s euthanasia program, and against their hatred of the Jews. Ultimately, Bonhoeffer lost his life for his participation in several plots to overthrow Hitler and the Nazi regime. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           During the 1930’s Bonhoeffer was active in a group known as the Confessing Church. This group was made up of Lutherans and other Protestants who would not yield to Hitler’s takeover of Christianity and left the state churches of Germany, banding together around the confession that Christ alone commanded the faith of his followers and not any political leader. During this time, Bonhoeffer wrote a book on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in a hostile world. Known to some in English as The Cost of Discipleship, the title was originally just, Discipleship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bonhoeffer begins the book by contrasting what he calls “cheap grace” and “costly grace.” He describes cheap grace as a kind of non-committal cultural Christianity that requires no great reflection on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and no great exertion to follow the Savior. The practitioner of cheap grace can do pretty much whatever they want and have their mindset formed by the ways of this world, so long as it is all stamped with the all-forgiving power of grace at the end of the day. Costly grace on the other hand requires one to follow Christ in every aspect of their lives. Costly grace is a radical grace that begins with the free forgiveness of God’s grace in Christ given in baptism and that then transforms a person into a radical follower of Jesus Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some readers have incorrectly seen a denial of the gospel in Bonhoeffer’s dichotomy between cheap and costly grace. Some have criticized Bonhoeffer as teaching works righteousness. This is not the case. Bonhoeffer unambiguously affirms the reformational understanding of the gospel as God’s free justification of sinners for the sake of Jesus Christ, because of his sacrificial death on the cross. [1] What Bonhoeffer was writing against in Discipleship wasn’t the gospel. It was the perversion of the gospel by anti-Christian worldview that came into the church from the outside. We have to remember, Bonhoeffer was writing in a nation where a totalitarian and racist faction had taken over the leadership of the church. He was writing in the Third Reich!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After contrasting the fake discipleship of cheap grace, Bonhoeffer begins to unpack what it really means to follow Christ as a genuine disciple by walking through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. After a detailed exploration of the Beatitudes—not without a few shots at the Nazified version of theses sayings rewritten by the “German Christians” [2]—Bonhoeffer addresses the seemingly contradictory words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: “Let your light shine…; don’t practice your righteousness in public.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In order to understand this paradox, says Bonhoeffer, we have to look carefully at what Jesus says here. Jesus says, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them…” [3] Jesus is saying: “Don’t display your righteousness, so that people will notice and will praise you for it.” [4]
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It's not as if Jesus is saying that the world shouldn’t notice that we are the followers of Jesus. That’s not even possible, says Bonhoeffer. There is no such thing as an invisible Christian. True, people cannot see our faith in Jesus, but sooner or later, says Bonhoeffer, that faith is going to become visible in how we live our Christian lives. [5]
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is no such thing as an invisible Christian.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we confess Christ as our Savior and follow him in our daily lives, the world cannot help but notice. We know this. If they spend enough time around us, someone who is not a Christian is going to notice that there is something different about us. Maybe we don’t join in their dirty jokes. Maybe we speak up for someone who is being bullied. Maybe it’s just that we go to church on Sundays. Whatever it may be, sooner or later, each of us will be recognized as a Christian by someone who isn’t.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That, says Bonhoeffer, is what it means to let our light shine. It means that we follow Jesus unashamed of the grace and love that he has shown us by his birth, life, death, and resurrection for us. Our righteousness is something given to us that we should keep hidden, says Bonhoeffer. Yet we shouldn’t say, “Hey, look at me, ain’t I such a good person? I go to church. I give money to the poor. I live a good life. I, I, I.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That’s the problem: “I.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If it’s all about me, then I can be sure that I am falling into the kind of righteousness that Jesus is warning against. It’s a righteousness that is my righteousness. It’s my righteousness, because it is all about me, because I want to be seen, get noticed, and become known as a good, holy, and pious person. It is my righteousness, because I am the content and center of it. The righteousness that our Lord warns against is one that wants to display itself openly rather than remain hidden, and thus it is truly self-righteousness. [6]
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bonhoeffer warns that this is not righteousness at all. It’s actually the manifestation of the old sinful nature, dressed up in pious clothing. It looks righteous on the outside, but in reality, it is death, because it relies on the self and parades the self instead of clinging to Christ alone. [7]
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lenten piety can certainly take on this kind of phony, self-righteousness that Bonhoeffer warns against. When we ask one another about what we are doing for a “Lenten discipline” or freely share with others what we are “giving up for lent,” we are engaging in self-righteousness. We are “practicing our righteousness in order to be seen by others.” We are trusting in, placing our faith in, a righteousness that comes from our own intentions, choices, and actions and that likes to be public rather than hidden.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           True righteousness is a hidden righteousness, says Bonhoeffer, because it hides the sinner behind the cross. [8] True righteousness that comes as a pure gift from Jesus alone hides our sins, our shortcomings, and even our phony piety behind the death of the Son of God who suffered and died for us. This true righteousness is the real focus of Lent too. The true meaning of Lent is not fasting, giving things up, or doing things to be seen by others. The true meaning of Lent is that God the Son hangs on the cross for you, to take away your sins, and to hide you in His very own righteousness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As disciples of Jesus, our righteousness cannot be performed before others, because our righteousness was already performed by Jesus. Our righteousness is the act of being hidden in the love of the crucified Christ: it is only ours to receive as a gift by faith. This is a central truth of Lent. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But we still can and are called to “let our light shine before others.” That’s because, shining our light isn’t really even something we doper se. It’s something that just happens naturally because Christ has hidden us in the righteousness of his cross. Letting our let shine happens because Jesus has lit us with his very own light, the one, true light, which enlightens the world. [9] Notice, says Bonhoeffer, Jesus doesn’t say, “You should be light,” or “You must become light.” He says, “You are light.” It’s already true. You are the light of the world; you are shining with the light of Christ. [10]
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But there are two important factors to being light that keep the shining of the Christian from being the kind of phony, performance righteousness Jesus warns against. First, says Bonhoeffer, the light isn’t your light; it’s Jesus. Second, you aren’t doing it “in order to be seen by others.” You’re just shining your light because that is what Christians do. [11]
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In this context, go to church this Lenten season, receive the sign of the cross with ashes on your forehead. Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return. But also remember that you are sheltered in life and death behind the righteousness of the One crucified with you. Go ahead and wear those ashes after you leave the service. Then, if anyone asks why you have them, share with them the righteousness of Christ who died for you and who died for them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [1] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, trans. Barbara Green and Reinhard Krauss (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2003), 46-51.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [2] The German Christians were a group of Nazis who claimed also to be Christians. They wanted to fully Nazify the German Protestant churches and bring them in line with the official doctrines, policies, and governance of National Socialism. Their leaders, Ludwig Müller, was appointed Reichsbishop by Hitler after losing an election to a more qualified candidate. Müller unabashedly changed the Bible and Christian teachings to fit with Nazi beliefs. On of the most audacious examples of this was Müller’s nationalistic and racist reformulation of the Beatitudes. This monstrosity can be read in Mary Solberg’s collection of the writings of the German Christians, entitled A Church Undone (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2015), 383, ff.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [3] 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matthew%206%3A1a/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 6:1a
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (ESV).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [4] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, 149.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [5] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, 149.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [6] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, 150.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [7] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, 150.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [8] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, 150.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [9] 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%201%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 1:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [10] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, 112.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [11] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Discipleship, 149-150.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/understanding-righteousness-and-lent-with-bonhoeffer" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/understanding-righteousness-and-lent-with-bonhoeffer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Mar 2023 13:17:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-2-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 3-1-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-1-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-1-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For God so loved the world...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In today’s world, God is not so much dead as cancelled. He is not to be spoken about. If he does exist, there’s nothing good to say about him: he is grim and uncaring.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How different this is from what the Bible actually says about God. Consider the most well- known words in the Bible: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (John 3:16).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They occur in the context of a conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus, a Jewish leader who had come to see him late at night. Nicodemus was one of the thousands who had been impressed and he wanted to meet Jesus for a personal chat.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ rise to stardom had happened very quickly and his popularity was enormous. He said the most amazing things and backed them up with the most extraordinary actions: he healed the sick, raised the dead to life, and overcame the powers of evil. No matter what confronted him, he was always in control. His person and presence had so great an impact that he is also mentioned by other historians of that era – such as Tacitus and Josephus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            The Bible tells us that God’s essential nature is love. In Psalm 145:8-9 we read: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The theme of the love of God permeates both the Old and New Testaments. What is more, we find that his love is not sparked by something attractive about us. God loves because love is at the very heart of his being.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now it’s important to note that our English word ‘love’ translates four Greek words (the language in which the New Testament was written). One word is 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           eros
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , from which we get our word 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           erotic
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . It’s a word associated with intense emotional feeling. It’s a word that pagan religions have long used in part as a reference to the mystical experience of the supernatural. One form of yoga in Hinduism exploits sexual intercourse as a technique for achieving spiritual enlightenment.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But nowhere does the New Testament use the word 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           eros.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            It uses a rare word in the original Greek: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           agape
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . There are no rapturous, mystical experiences associated with 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           agape
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Rather, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           agape
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is committed to serve the best interests of the ones who are loved.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, John tells us, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God so loved the world
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            that he reaches out to all men and women. This is breath-taking. God could have shut humanity down at the moment of their rebellion. We deserved nothing less. But God in his love had a bigger and very costly plan in mind that would benefit a world that rejected him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s gift.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            He 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           gave us his Son…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John is not saying that God loved world 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           enough
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            to give his Son. Rather, it was 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           out of God’s love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            for the world that he gave his Son.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These words are amongst the most famous in the Bible. Consider what they say about Jesus. He is ‘the one who came down from heaven, the one and only Son of God’ (John 1:14).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Being from God, the Son personally reveals to us what God is like. As Jesus says later, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (John 8:12). More than ever we need to hear him and respond to him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But significantly, God didn’t give his Son just to shine his light into a dark and troubled world. God so loved the world that he gave his Son to rescue it. The gift would come to its climax and fulfillment when the Son was crucified.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           t was with Jesus’ death that we discover the immeasurable depth of God’s love. For it was through Jesus’ voluntary, sacrificial death that God opened the door once and for all whereby he could forgive men and women who had shown no love for him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s offer. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John tells us of the offer that God holds out: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eternal life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is contrasted with 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           perishing
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . John doesn’t tell us what 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           perishing
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is but he does tell us that it will be a most unwelcome experience. Elsewhere we learn, mainly through Jesus’ own teaching, that it is a very serious thing to refuse God’s gift. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Perishing
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            won’t mean perpetually partying with friends. Everything that is good, beautiful, and true will be lost. T.S. Elliot put it this way, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hell is oneself. Hell is alone…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Life eternal will be a life of perfection and beauty, where there will be no more pain or suffering, self-absorption or injustice. It will be fullness of joy in the glory of the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s beneficiaries.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            John tells us who will benefit: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whoever believes in the Son…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            We can’t achieve 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           eternal life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            by our own efforts or merits. We are totally dependent on God’s generous gift. To turn to Jesus, the Son of God and to trust him, is the key to our benefiting from God’s precious gift.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In our natural state we don’t want to accept God’s offer because we know it would mean a radical lifestyle change. And we don’t want to change. We would rather stay in the dark than move into the light and admit what we are really like.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I’ve wondered how long the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus recorded in John chapter 3, lasted. Nicodemus had arrived late at night. Could it be that as he left there were the first glimmerings of dawn on the horizon? And as he saw the rising sun, did he smile with joy at the dawn of a new day, or did he turn his eyes back upon the darkness of the night?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is the choice that confronts you and me, and indeed the world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Almighty God, we ask you to look on the heartfelt desires of your servants, and stretch forth the right hand of your power to be our defense against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/god-so-loved-the-world-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/god-so-loved-the-world-2/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Mar 2023 13:13:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-3-1-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-28-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-28-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-28-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is Greed?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You might have heard about Forrest Fenn’s hidden treasure. In 2010, the millionaire Fenn squirreled away a chest full of valuables worth an estimated $1 million. Hundreds of thousands of people searched for the buried treasure, which wasn’t discovered until June of 2020 by a medical student named Jack Stuef. As exhilarating as I imagine a treasure hunt would be, Fenn’s quest also proved deadly. Five people lost their lives in the process of trying to find the treasure—one of them was even a pastor.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When the quest for temporal goods is viewed as ultimate, it becomes an all-consuming cancer. Wisdom says that greed for unjust gain takes away the life of its possessor (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Prov.%201%3A19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prov. 1:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Our Lord Jesus listed greed among the pollutions of the human heart, right along with murder and adultery (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Mark%207%3A21%E2%80%9322/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 7:21–22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , NASB). In Luke, He prefaced the parable of the rich fool by saying, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%2012%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 12:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ).
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The original word behind covetousness is the same word used for greed in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Mark%207%3A22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 7:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . It’s the Greek word pleonexia, which is defined as “the state of desiring to have more than one’s due,”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles#fn1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            or “a strong desire to acquire more and more material possessions or to possess more things than other people have, all irrespective of need.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles#fn2" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Thomas Aquinas simply defined covetousness, or greed, as “the immoderate love of possessing.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles#fn3" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But have you ever heard someone confess to being greedy? Perhaps more importantly, have you ever asked God to forgive you for greediness? Based on how infrequently this particular sin is named, one gets the sense that the immoderate love of possessing is something we rarely, if ever, struggle with. This would have surprised the Apostle Paul, who wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that in the last days, men would be lovers of money (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Tim.%203%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Tim. 3:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Perhaps it isn’t that we’re less greedy than previous generations; we’re simply less aware of our own sin as a society.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do I despise God’s daily bread by grasping greedily [and often anxiously] for something more?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus frequently preached about the love of money and possessions because He knew how blinding greed could be. It’s a terminal illness such that the person who has it rarely, if ever, actually knows they’re sick. Tragically, this silent killer is also one of the most destructive vices. The sin of greed destroys the self insofar as it disorders our affections. It destroys our neighbors since the overabundance of riches often comes at the expense of the poor, and it’s a direct sin against God because by greed we “contemn things eternal for the sake of temporal things.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles#fn4" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Greed is therefore a deceitful and a damnable vice. Because of this, Jesus calls us to pray against it every day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There’s a good chance you’re already doing this, you just haven’t made the connection yet. Embedded in the petitions Jesus taught His disciples to pray is the request for daily bread: “Give us this day our daily bread” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%206%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 6:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Often when thinking about this request, we focus on the fact that we depend on God for our temporal goods. While true, there’s more to the fourth petition than earthly provision—there’s also moderation. We might even call this a prayer against immoderate possessing since the request isn’t for life’s delicacies, but life’s necessities. In the history of interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer from the church fathers to the Reformers such as John Calvin, the modesty of this request has been noted. Thus, Calvin notes:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet those who, not content with daily bread but panting after countless things with unbridled desire, or sated with their abundance, or carefree in their piled-up riches, supplicate God with this prayer are but mocking him. For [they] ask him what they do not wish to receive, indeed, what they utterly abominate—namely, mere daily bread—and as much as possible cover up before God their propensity to greed, while true prayer ought to pour out before him the whole mind itself and whatever lies hidden within.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles#fn5" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Each of us must ask ourselves, “Do I despise God’s daily bread by grasping greedily [and often anxiously] for something more?” Of course, this doesn’t mean earthly riches are inherently sinful (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Tim.%206%3A17%E2%80%9319/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Tim. 6:17–19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). We must, however, recognize that the manic pursuit of them is symptomatic of a deeper discontentment with our divine lot. We do well to be watchful and to recall the words of Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Acts%2020%3A35/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 20:35
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Instead of getting lost in the treasure hunt that continues to claim countless souls, we ought to let the gospel form us until we become a generous people. We have been ransomed not with perishable things such as silver and gold, but with the divine blood of God the Son (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Peter%201%3A18%E2%80%9319/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Peter 1:18–19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). That Jesus freely gave that which is more precious than all the treasure on earth should put things in perspective. May God slay our greed and give us each day our daily bread.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ol&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bauer-Danker Greek Lexicon of the New Testament
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica II-II, Q. 118 art, 1.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Ibid.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion III, XX, 44
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ol&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-greed" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-greed" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           vice
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/virtues-vices-greed" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           s-greed
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 2023 18:23:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-28-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>How's your prayer life?</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/how-s-your-prayer-life</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Find a prayer closet &amp;amp; pray for at least an hour daily
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background-51b57f05.png" length="512058" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Feb 2023 14:00:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/how-s-your-prayer-life</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background-51b57f05.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Logo+with+Trademark+with+grey+background-51b57f05.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-27-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-27-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-27-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our Quiet Dwelling Place
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You have made the Lord your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2091:9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 91:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Israelites in the wilderness were continually exposed to change. Whenever the pillar of cloud stopped, the tents were pitched; but the next day the morning sun arose, the trumpet sounded, the ark was in motion, and the fiery, cloudy pillar was leading the way through the narrow mountain passes, up the hillsides, or along the arid wastes of the wilderness. They scarcely had time to rest a little before they heard the sound of “Onward! this is not your rest; you must keep journeying onward toward Canaan!” They never stayed for long in one place. Even wells and palm trees could not detain them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They had an abiding home in their God; His cloudy pillar was their roof, and its flame by night their fireplace. They must go onward from place to place, continually changing, never having time to settle or to say, “Now we are secure; we will stay in this place.” Moses says, “Though we are always changing, Lord, you have been our dwelling-place throughout all generations.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/59/psa.90.1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps 90:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Christian knows no change with regard to God. He may be rich today and poor tomorrow; he may be sick today and well tomorrow; he may be happy today and sad tomorrow—but there is no change regarding his relationship to God. If He loved me yesterday, He loves me today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My unmoving mansion of rest is my blessed Lord. Even when prospects are few and hopes are squashed and joy is waning, I have lost nothing of what I have in God. He is “my refuge” to which I continually return. I am a pilgrim in the world, but at home in my God. In the earth I wander, but in God I dwell in a quiet dwelling place.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/02/27/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/02/27/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 2023 18:53:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-27-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-24-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-24-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-24-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Showers of Blessing
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Ezekiel%2034:26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ezekiel 34:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here is sovereign mercy—“I will send down the showers in their season.” Is it not sovereign, divine mercy? For who can say, “I will send down showers” except God? There is only one voice that can speak to the clouds and bid them send the rain. “Who sends down the rain upon the earth? Who scatters the showers upon the green herb? Do not I, the Lord?” So grace is the gift of God and is not to be created by man.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is also needed grace. What would the ground do without showers? You may break the clods, you may sow your seeds, but what can you do without the rain? Just as absolutely needful is the divine blessing; you work in vain until God then bestows the shower and sends salvation down.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then, it is plenteous grace. “I will send down the showers.” It does not say, “I will send down drops,” but “showers.” So it is with grace. If God gives a blessing, He usually gives it in such a measure that there is not room enough to receive it. Plenteous grace! We need plenteous grace to keep us humble, to make us prayerful, to make us holy; plenteous grace to make us zealous, to preserve us through this life, and at last to land us in heaven. We cannot do without saturating showers of grace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Again, it is seasonable grace. “I will cause the shower to come down in their season.” What is your season this morning? Is it the season of drought? Then that is the season for showers. Is it a season of great heaviness and black clouds? Then that is the season for showers. “As your days, so shall your strength be.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/59/deu.33.25" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deut 33:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And here is a varied blessing. “I will give you showers of blessing.” The word is in the plural. All kinds of blessings God will send. All God’s blessings go together, like links in a golden chain. If He gives converting grace, He will also give comforting grace. He will send “showers of blessing.” Look up today, O parched plant, and open your leaves and flowers for a heavenly watering.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/02/24/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/02/24/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 2023 13:56:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-24-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-23-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-23-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-22-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bad Numbers Can't Change the Good News
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even if the numbers are bad, the news about Jesus crucified for sinners and raised to new life hasn’t become any less good.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My hometown of St. Louis, MO, has developed something of an abandoned church problem. Since many of these buildings are hundreds of years old, the city is hesitant about demolishing them. The entrepreneurial spirit has come to the rescue, however, as many of these churches are being 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/repurposed-st-louis-churches-synagogues-find-new-ways-to-feed-the-soul/article_bfd59468-616f-513d-90b6-f06b600be122.html" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           bought up and repurposed
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . For instance: St. Liborius, a Catholic church completed in 1889, is now the indoor skate park 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sk8liborius.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           SK8 Liborius
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Immanuel Congregational Church closed its doors around 2010, but a local businessman bought the building ten years later and is now converting it into “a 9,000-square-foot man cave” for patrons to enjoy things like tabletop games and beer tastings. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The market for deconsecrated churches will likely grow at a quickening pace over the next few decades. Last year, the Pew Research Center projected that by 2070, less than half of Americans will identify as Christian (and much less will go to church on a regular basis). To put this in context, around 90% of American adults claimed Christianity as recently as 1990. Large-scale “disaffiliation” seems to have finally come for the United States, which has long been an outlier in religiosity amongst rich Western countries. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But in a recent 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2023/01/us-religious-affiliation-rates-declining/672729/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           article
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            for the Atlantic, Wendy Cadge and Elan Babchuck argue that Americans aren’t so much abandoning religion wholesale as discovering spiritual outlets outside the walls of church and synagogue. According to Cadge and Babchuck, religion does four main “jobs” for people: (1) it makes sense of the vagaries of life; (2) it provides rituals to mark, celebrate, and process significant life events (and especially death); (3) it establishes and nourishes community; and (4) it inspires social action to combat injustice. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Americans are finding new ways of getting these four jobs done without ever having to sit in a pew. The authors note phenomena ranging from the high demand for chaplains and spiritual directors, to the rise of online communities focused on spiritual growth or grief support, to interreligious social justice organizations, and even to a Christian house group 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://newwinecollective.org/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           movement
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            called the New Wine Collective that shuns “hierarchies” in favor of decentralization and inclusivity. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cadge and Babchuck do not really delve into the reason behind this shift from traditional churchgoing, but that’s frankly not very hard to figure out. Gaining access to some of the lovely things religion offers without all the annoying stuff – like the puzzling metaphysical distinctions, sacred texts that say weird and offensive things, and institutions with all their power structures and checkered pasts – certainly seems like a good deal. This is especially true for people who experience deep spiritual longings but who have also been deeply wounded by a church. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even so, some of us are still getting our kids out the door on Sunday morning to attend a brick-and-mortar church that hasn’t yet been converted into a skate park. How do we respond to this seismic shift in American religiosity? I’d like to offer three humble recommendations: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Don’t get cranky
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For people with deep-rooted theological convictions, it is easy enough to dismiss most of these trends as vacuous, DIY spirituality. But dismissiveness isn’t going to bring people back to church. If anything, grousing will only reinforce the impression that the church is on the defensive. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More importantly, there is room here for Christians to feel a certain degree of optimism. Ongoing interest in spiritual community and quasi-religious rituals is good evidence that full-bore secularism (i.e., indifference to all things spiritual or religious) is incapable of sustaining human flourishing over the long term. Man simply cannot live on 401(k)’s, vacations, or even loftier things like social activism and artistic expression alone. The 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensus_divinitatis" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           sensus divinitatis
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            has not disappeared, nor will it ever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ongoing interest in spiritual community and quasi-religious rituals is good evidence that full-bore secularism (i.e., indifference to all things spiritual or religious) is incapable of sustaining human flourishing over the long term.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Don’t despair
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If religion were a stock market, most people would be shorting the church. It certainly does feel like the church is losing a competition for survival with these new forms of spiritual expression – and, worse still, it’s at least in part a self-inflicted defeat given the depressingly numerous cases of scandal and hypocrisy that have shaken every major branch of Christianity. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But the church does not stand or fall based on how well it performs the four jobs outlined by Cadge and Babchuck. The church is not a corporation producing religious goods, which is being gradually replaced by competitors who offer a better product.* It’s a people who have come to accept the proclamation that the God of Israel has raised Jesus of Nazareth from the dead and has declared him Lord. Our institutional failures and stupidities can make this proclamation less credible (and that is certainly tragic), but they cannot make it untrue. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do keep inviting your friends to your church’s chili cook-off
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Granted that the alternatives to church described by Cadge and Babchuck are able to do the “four jobs” of religion, the real question is, “For how long?” The persistent impulse to find spiritual community is matched by the persistent reality that community is difficult. People are mercurial; the organization necessary for almost any community is tedious. Such a community will survive in the long run only if the individuals who comprise it come to believe that it is rooted in eternity in some identifiable and understandable way. The church, for all its problems, knows how it is so rooted. For this very reason, I’m optimistic that some people are going to filter back in over the coming decades. So let’s keep inviting them in. Perhaps they’ll come for the chili and stay because Jesus is very God of very God. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At this present moment in American religious history, the church is waning rather quickly in terms of numbers, power, and influence. This has actually happened before: church membership rates were surprisingly 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/opinions/1995/11/26/the-way-we-werent-religion-in-colonial-america/6cb64903-30f4-435e-a415-6be0f0465bfe/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           low
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            in Revolutionary-era America, for instance. But eternity is still in the human heart. Most importantly: even if the numbers are bad, the news about Jesus crucified for sinners and raised to new life hasn’t become any less good. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           *In the meantime, however, traditional churches may have to learn lessons from decentralizing movements like New Wine Collective on how to practice the Christian faith with fewer human and financial resources, without jettisoning important theological distinctives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles//bad-numbers-cant-change-the-good-news" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles//bad-numbers-cant-change-the-good-news
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 23 Feb 2023 13:57:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-23-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-22-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-22-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-22-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ash Wednesday
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Human relationships on the personal and international level must rate as the greatest challenge for the world’s future. As I remarked this day last year, the invasion of Ukraine reveals an unspoken issue that confronts us: humanity is flawed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Russian author, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn once commented, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent that continues through to the day before Easter Day. You may find it helpful to use the six weeks of Lent as a special time for daily Bible reading, honest reflection, and prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, the prayer for Ash Wednesday and for Lent, focuses on God’s forgiveness of the repentant person and spiritual renewal. The Lord Jesus challenges us to know the Scriptures, reflect on them and to pray, not just in Lent but throughout the year.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, such is our flawed nature that we can all deceive ourselves. We can say one thing and do another. We may read the Bible and pray, attend church, and give to the poor, but our hearts can remain unchanged in our relationship with the Lord, as well as with one another.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Consider
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Jesus’ warning against hypocrisy
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           in his Sermon on the Mount: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Beware of practising your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Matthew 6:1).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Knowing better than we, how deceitful our hearts can be (Jeremiah 17:9), Jesus warns us against using our faith to win the praise of others and make a name for ourselves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In a world where religion is publicly decried, we may not win popularity in the wider community. However, it can be a different story within the life of the church. Preachers and church leaders, musicians and generous givers can generate praise if they work at it. And social media can easily be used to promote this.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is against this that Jesus warns us. Professing Christians who long for the accolades of others will miss out on the true reward that comes from the living God. All they have is an empty faith, with no lasting value.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider what he says about giving and prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Giving.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Look at v.2: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites in the synagogues
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Trumpets
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            may be a metaphor: we shouldn’t sound our own trumpet or boast about our giving to the needy. But 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           trumpets
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            may also have a literal meaning. In Jesus’ day the Temple trumpets were sometimes blown, calling on people to make a special donation when there was a pressing need. Anyone watching would see who responded.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Giving to support the ministry of God’s Word and providing assistance for those in need is biblical. Here Jesus is saying that to give so others know what we’re doing, whether in church or at a charity function, is hypocritical.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hypocritical religion is not from the heart. It’s motivated by self-interest. Jesus is saying here that hypocrites give in order to be honored by those around them. And
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            he states, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “I tell you they have their reward
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “But when you give alms,” he says, “do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your father who sees in secret will reward you.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To ensure that we’re not proud or smug about our generosity, Jesus uses a vivid metaphor: the right hand should not know what the left hand is doing. No one, apart from God, will know about this private giving. He will see our real motives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To be rewarded by God is the best kind of blessing. Approval by others is transient. Approval from God is eternal.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            is another area where we can be tempted to look for human recognition. Look at verse 5: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward…”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers in the synagogues were typically led by a synagogue member. To be invited to lead the prayers was a mark of distinction. But again, Jesus knows how easy it is for anyone leading prayers to draw attention to themselves – perhaps through the literary quality of their prayer or their tone of voice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Significantly, Jesus focuses on private prayer. He isn’t criticizing public prayer, but he well knows that who we are when we pray in the privacy of our room is who we truly are. In praying privately, we can be nothing but genuine and honest before God. And uncluttered, heartfelt prayer is what God hears.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How important it is that on this Ash Wednesday – and every day – we heed Jesus’ warning: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            God delights in our honest and heartfelt, loving and loyal relationship with him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer for Ash Wednesday
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made, and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts, so that we, lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer for peace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            God of the nations, whose kingdom rules over all, have mercy on our broken and troubled world, especially the people of Ukraine and other war zones. Shed abroad your peace in the hearts of all men and women and banish from them the spirit that makes for war. We ask this so that all races and people may learn to live as members of one people and in obedience to your laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer for all in need.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Almighty God, we commend to your fatherly goodness all who are in any way afflicted or distressed, especially the people of Turkey and Syria suffering from the catastrophic earthquake. May it please you to comfort and relieve them according to their needs, giving them patience in their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/ash-wednesday-4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/ash-wednesday-4/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Feb 2023 16:11:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-22-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-21-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-21-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-21-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Five Recommended Resources on the Lord's day
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday is widely recognized as the day on which Christians attend church. But beyond that, confusion exists regarding how we should view the Lord’s Day. What relation, if any, exists between the Old Testament Sabbath and our worship today? Does the New Testament teach the uniqueness of the Lord’s Day, or are all days to be viewed the same? The following resources, curated by the Ligonier editorial team, seek to answer these questions and can help believers better understand this day of worship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sabbath-People-Studies-Biblical-Theology/dp/1433573547" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Sabbath as Rest and Hope for the People of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           by Guy Prentiss Waters
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This book provides an introductory study of the Sabbath from the creation of the world to the consummation of all things at Christ’s return, showing how the Sabbath is observed through the major themes and genres of the Bible—creation, law, prophets, Christ, and new creation. Waters notes that the Sabbath is intricately tied to rest and worship, both of which ultimately point to the Lord as our Creator and Redeemer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Sabbath-Terry-L-Johnson/dp/1800400357/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KA89S8V0XH5Y&amp;amp;keywords=the+christian+sabbath+terry+johnson&amp;amp;qid=1675449871&amp;amp;s=books&amp;amp;sprefix=The+Christian+Sabbath%2Cstripbooks%2C113&amp;amp;sr=1-1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Christian Sabbath
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            by Terry L. Johnson 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday was once considered a day of rest and worship in America, but now most people treat it just like any other day of the week. What led to that change? How should we think about the Lord’s Day? These questions and others are addressed in this book, which draws out the teaching of Scripture and provides practical recommendations to help Christians experience the benefits and blessings of the special day God has given us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/store/the-lords-day-download" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord’s Day: Sabbath Worship and Rest
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            by W. Robert Godfrey
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why do Christians worship on Sunday? How is worship on the first day of the week connected to the fourth commandment? Isn’t the Sabbath the seventh day of the week and not the first? In this 6-part teaching series, Dr. Godfrey surveys the theology, history, practice, and biblical teaching behind the Lord’s Day so that we might devote this day to the One to whom it rightly belongs.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/store/the-lords-day-paperback" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord’s Day
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           by Joseph A. Pipa Jr.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many of the issues surrounding Sunday worship are considered unclear, optional, or divisive, which can result in Christians ignoring the subject entirely. But nothing could be more important than worshiping our Lord in the way He desires. Are we missing out on God’s blessing by the way we celebrate the Lord’s Day? Are we too legalistic, or are we too lax? These and other questions are answered in The Lord’s Day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Day-Worship-Reassessing-Christian-Sabbath/dp/1601781555/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3OW2XAEGIF0RH&amp;amp;keywords=The+Day+of+Worship%3A+Reassessing+the+Christian+Life+in+Light+of+the+Sabbath&amp;amp;qid=1675450249&amp;amp;s=books&amp;amp;sprefix=the+day+of+worship+reassessing+the+christian+life+in+light+of+the+sabbath%2Cstripbooks%2C152&amp;amp;sr=1-1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Day of Worship: Reassessing the Christian Life in Light of the Sabbath
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            by Ryan McGraw
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many books have been written on the day of rest, yet many believers still do not observe this holy day. In this book, McGraw lays out the biblical basis for the Sabbath, including discussions on 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Isaiah%2058/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 58
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , worldliness, legalism, the Reformed application of the law, and practical observations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/recommended-resources-lords-day" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/recommended-resources-lords-day
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2023 20:47:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-21-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-20-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-20-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-20-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Go First to God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God, who comforts the downcast.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/2%20Corinthians%207:6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Corinthians 7:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And who comforts like Him? Go to some poor, melancholy, distressed child of God; tell him sweet promises and whisper in his ear choice words of comfort; he is like the deaf adder that doesn’t listen to the voice of the charmer, even though he charms wisely. He is drinking gall and wormwood, and no matter how you comfort him, you will only get a note or two of mournful resignation from him; you will bring forth no psalms of praise, no hallelujahs, no joyful sonnets. But let God come to His child, let Him lift up his countenance, and the mourner’s eyes glisten with hope. Do you not hear him sing—
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Tis paradise, if you are here;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you depart, ‘tis hell.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You could not have cheered him: but the Lord has done it; He is the “God of all comfort.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/59/2co.1.3" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor 1:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) There is no balm in Gilead, but there is balm in God. There is no physician among the creatures, but the Creator is Jehovah-rophi. It is marvelous how one sweet word of God will make whole songs for Christians. One word of God is like a piece of gold, and the Christian is the gold-beater and can hammer that promise out for weeks.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, then, poor Christian, you need not sit down in despair. Go to the Comforter, and ask Him to give you consolation. You are a poor, dry well. You have heard it said that when a pump is dry, you must pour water down it first of all, and then you will get water; and so, Christian, when you are dry, go to God, ask Him to shed abroad His joy in your heart, and then your joy shall be full. Do not go to earthly acquaintances, for you will find them to be Job’s comforters; but go first and foremost to “God, who comforts the downcast,” and you will soon say, “When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/02/20/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/02/20/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 20 Feb 2023 14:46:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-20-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-17-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-17-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-17-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dwelling in God's Presence
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
           
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaac settled at Beer-lahai-roi.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Genesis%2025:11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 25:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hagar had once found deliverance there, and Ishmael had drunk from the water so graciously revealed by the God who lives and sees the sons of men; but that was a merely casual visit, such as unbelievers pay to the Lord in times of need, when it suits them. They cry to Him in trouble but forsake Him in prosperity. Isaac dwelt there and made the well of the living and all-seeing God his constant source of supply.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The usual tenor of a man’s life, the dwelling of his soul, is the true test of his state. Perhaps the providential visitation experienced by Hagar struck Isaac’s mind and led him to revere the place. Its mystical name endeared it to him; his frequent musings at its brim at evening made him familiar with the well. Meeting Rebecca there had made his spirit feel at home near the spot; but best of all, the fact that there he enjoyed fellowship with the living God had made him select that hallowed ground for his dwelling.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let us learn to live in the presence of the living God; let us ask the Holy Spirit that this day, and every other day, we may sense, ”God, You see me.” May the Lord be as a well to us, delightful, comforting, unfailing, springing up unto eternal life. The bottle of the creature cracks and dries up, but the well of the Creator never fails; happy is he who dwells at the well and as a result has abundant and constant supplies at hand.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord has been a sure helper to others: His name is Shaddai, God All-sufficient. Our hearts have often had most delightful communion with Him; through Him, our soul has found her glorious Husband, the Lord Jesus; and in Him this day we live and move and have our being. Let us, then, dwell in closest fellowship with Him. Glorious Lord, constrain us, that we may never leave You but dwell by the well of the living God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/02/17/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/02/17/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Feb 2023 18:03:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-17-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-16-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-16-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-16-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Listen to Jesus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus stands before the disciples as the bridge between heaven and earth, and between Old Testament and New Testament. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is hard for us to imagine the emotional roller coaster Peter, James, and John had been on by the time they witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration. It had been several years since Jesus called them to follow him, and the miracles and astounding moments that surrounded Jesus were never in short supply.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily, Jesus spoke wisdom to them they had never known. He knew what they were thinking before they spoke it. He replied to their questions and concerns with answers they did not expect, and a depth of knowledge they did not always understand. He handled his opponents with ease, turning their assaults back on them, and demonstrating that no one could contend with his understanding. He spoke with a different authority than the prophets who had come before him. Where the prophets of old would declare, “Thus sayeth the Lord,” Jesus instead told them, “Truly, truly I say unto you.” Jesus spoke as though he was God in the first person. What sort of a man was this?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then there was Jesus’ supernatural power. The disciples saw that the demons who tormented and inhabited men were terrified and defeated by the presence of Jesus. Peter, James, and John were eyewitnesses to the unspeakable joy of those who heard, and saw, and spoke for the first time as Jesus healed them. They watched newly cleansed lepers return to their families and faith communities, no longer shunned by society.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They were there when Jesus rebuked a violent storm and saw it humbly obey him. They looked on as Jesus rebuked death itself and returned once dead children to their once broken-hearted mothers, alive and well. Each day the apostles had a front row seat as Jesus moved among his people and demonstrated that he was not like anyone else who had ever been before. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus stands before the disciples as the bridge between heaven and earth, and between Old Testament and New Testament.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then came the day that Jesus led three of them up the mountain to pray. Prayer was certainly nothing out of the ordinary for Jesus and the apostles, but this particular session of prayer became a moment of messianic identity. As they spoke to God, Jesus’ appearance became shockingly different. St. Luke tells us that “...the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothes became a dazzling white” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%209%3A29/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 9:29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Jesus had been transfigured before their eyes. They were astonished and overwhelmed. But what did it mean?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peter, James, and John knew well of the stories recorded in Exodus of Moses going up on the mountain to be in the real presence of God, and coming down the mountain with a radiant and glowing face. His appearance was shocking to the people when he returned from being in God’s presence, and so he would often put a veil over his face when he came back to them. These events in the history of their people foreshadowed the things that Jesus was doing now, although they did not yet understand all this as they witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To add to the drama of the moment, Moses and Elijah were suddenly standing before them, and St. Luke records that they “...appeared in glory, and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%209%3A31/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 9:31
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It is extremely difficult to imagine the overwhelming excitement of the moment for Peter, James, and John. Moses and Eljah were towering figures in the history of the Old Testament people, and they were now here speaking to Jesus about his death and resurrection to come.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The disciples’ instinct in the presence of all this impossible glory was to worship all three of them: Moses, Elijah, and Jesus. They proposed to set up a tent for each one of them individually, the tent being reminiscent of the tabernacle that their people had carried through the desert and set up as a place for God to dwell among them. They were lost in amazement, and unclear about what they were seeing and what it meant. They were still lacking in understanding about who Jesus was. It was at that moment that God gave them clarity. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A cloud appeared and enshrouded all six of them. “And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%209%3A35/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 9:35
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). When the cloud departed, they saw before them only Jesus. It is here we find the meaning of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Any confusion about who Jesus is must now fall away. Jesus stands before the disciples as the bridge between heaven and earth, and between Old Testament and New Testament.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He has been proclaimed by his Father and the Holy Spirit as the Messiah who would save them. The law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah) have testified that he is the Messiah, and Jesus stands between them and Peter, James, and John who will soon proclaim the greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ with their eyewitness testimony to generations yet unborn.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He was passionate to be your Savior, he died to be your God, and rose again to declare you innocent of all charges.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Modern life in this world is its own roller coaster, and we, like Peter, James, and John, are often swept away with the curves, rises, and drops of it all. It is all too easy for us to become confused about the meaning of things, and to become lost in the moment with emotion and sin. Let us remember the meaning of the Transfiguration. Let us listen to Jesus. He is loved by his Father, and to him was given dominion, and glory, and a kingdom that all peoples of all places and all languages would serve him. He delivered his people (including you) from death, hell, and the devil by atoning for their sins, by being crucified to death, and rising again to life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He was passionate to be your Savior, he died to be your God, and rose again to declare you innocent of all charges. When you lose yourself in the moment, and things are overwhelming, do what is wise. Listen to Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles//listen-to-jesus" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles//listen-to-jesus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Feb 2023 16:25:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-16-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-15-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-15-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-15-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Hope of Glory...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
           
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Aspects of Christianity can seem far-fetched to our 21st century minds. The miraculous elements can make it feel like the story of Santa Claus or fairies at the bottom of the garden. But before we dismiss the supernatural events of the Bible as fiction, it’s worth remembering GK Chesterton’s words about truth and fiction: ‘Truth must necessarily be stranger than fiction, for fiction is the creation of the human mind and therefore congenial to it’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I make these comments because today we turn to an extraordinary event recorded in the writings of Matthew, Mark and Luke.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Matthew chapter 17, verse 1 we read: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Six days later,…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Matthew wants us to be in no doubt that, just as the previous conversation had occurred when Jesus had asked his disciples, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Who do you say that I am?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (16:15) so did the event that he now records.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eyewitnesses.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Matthew is specific. Jesus took three of his close followers, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peter and James and John
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , to a high mountain. Unlike what we find in other religions, there was more than one eyewitness to times of supernatural revelation. In this case 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           there were 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           three eyewitnesses
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           to this significant moment in Jesus’ life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And what an astonishing occasion it was. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus was transfigured
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , literally, metamorphosed 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (17:2).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The dazzling white light of the sun
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is Matthew’s metaphor for the brilliance and purity of the bright light that emanated from Jesus. In both 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke and Acts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            the reference to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           clothes as white as light
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            speaks of supernatural 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           glory
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, two of the great prophets, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Moses
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Elijah
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            – representing the law and the prophets – were present and spoke with Jesus. (17:3).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In a conversation six days earlier, Jesus had asked the disciples who people thought he was. They had first responded, ‘John the Baptist or Elijah, or one of the prophets.’ And when Jesus had pressed them for their own view, Peter had replied, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (16:16)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But here on the mountain it was obvious that Peter had not yet worked out what this meant for he said to Jesus: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Lord, if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (16:4). Peter had no idea what he was saying.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s voice. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But before he could burble on with something else, a cloud enveloped them all and they heard a voice, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (17:5). God the Father was speaking! Overcome by the awesome scene before them and the words they heard, the disciples 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           fell on their faces and were terrified
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (17:6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Jesus, seeing their fear, told them to get up and not to be afraid. Furthermore, walking down the mountain that day, he commanded Peter, James and John not to tell anyone what they had witnessed until after he had been raised from the dead (17:9).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God the Father’s words confirmed Jesus’ identity as his unique Son. That day Peter, James and John witnessed Jesus’ majestic glory – the glory that reveals the utter holiness and power of the eternal Son of God who had taken on human form.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Much later, Peter writes of the event in his Second Letter: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ but we had been eye-witnesses of his majesty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (1:16)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s words not only confirmed for the disciples the divine status of Jesus and his supreme power and authority, but also assured them of the authenticity of all he taught and promised.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Significantly, the scene also revealed that there are at least two persons in the Godhead. The event also unveiled the extraordinary humility of God in his willingness to serve us in our greatest need. God’s Son was willing to put aside his true glory and come amongst us as one of us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And so we should heed God’s voice and
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           listen to the Son
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . In the midst of the myriad of voices today it is so easy to get distracted and depressed because we neglect to read and meditate on God’s Word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we look at Jesus’ transfiguration through the lens of his death and resurrection and ascension, we begin to see its greater significance. Imagine if Jesus had just disappeared after his resurrection and ascension. The 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           transfiguration
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is a preview of Jesus in his ascended and kingly glory. It also gives us a glimpse of his glory when he returns.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The transfiguration confirmed Jesus’ status as he prepared for his coming arrest and death. It also informed and inspired the disciples in their mission and their preaching and ultimately, in their writing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The hope of glory. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And there are further implications. The day will come when all of God’s people will share in the glory of Christ! In his Letter to the Romans, Paul the Apostle writes: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (8:18).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mere Christianity
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , C.S. Lewis puts it this way: ‘If we let Him – for we can prevent Him, if we choose – He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a god or goddess, a dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine, a bright stainless mirror which reflects back to God perfectly (though, of course, on a smaller scale) His own boundless power and delight and goodness. The process will be long and in parts very painful; but that is what we are in for. Nothing less.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Father in heaven, whose Son Jesus Christ was wonderfully transfigured before chosen witnesses upon the holy mountain, and spoke of his suffering in Jerusalem: give us strength so to hear his voice and follow him, that in the world to come we may see him as he is; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/the-hope-of-glory-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/the-hope-of-glory-2/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            your phone
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2023 11:48:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-15-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-14-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-14-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-14-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Does Jesus Love Me?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    
           
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is a question that many believers have asked. It is often on the mind of the downcast and discouraged. “Does Jesus love me?” It may be a nagging doubt or an agonizing cry of the heart—possibly quite similar to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Psalm%2022%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 22:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” sounds much like, “God, do you really love me?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While this may be a common experience for the Christian, we must look to the not-very-common answer. In other words, we need the biblically satisfying solution to such deep longing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To arrive there, we begin where the Scriptures begin, and not with our own subjective experience. We so easily look to ourselves for the answer: “Do I feel loved? Am I really all that lovable? Have I obeyed Jesus enough that He would love me?” But all these subjective attempts at comfort are no comfort at all. Who among us has ever-steady emotions? Who, biblically speaking, is lovable in their own right? Who could ever obey enough to be acceptable in their own righteousness before a holy God? The Scriptures are clear on these points: no one.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No, the solution to this fundamental question is not in ourselves. Rather, it is in the person and work of Jesus. When the Scriptures encourage us with the reality of Christ’s love for His people, they always look to Him and never to us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%205%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 5:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , BSB). Don’t miss how that verse begins: “God proves his love for us.” How is it that we know God loves us? He sent Christ to save us even when we were yet His enemies. Elsewhere, the Apostle John argues the exact same way: “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20John%204%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 4:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). When we doubt the love of God in our lives, we must look to what Christ has objectively done for us, in that He came, He pursued, He sought us, He saved. After all, this was the very reason Christ came into the world: to seek and to save His people (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%2019%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 19:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s perfect love flows from Him and is entirely of Him, as He places it upon us. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This type of love, a love that originates entirely in God and not in our own loveliness, is at the heart of biblical “unconditional love,” or agape love. God’s perfect love flows from Him and is entirely of Him, as He places it upon us. While we are devoid of everything lovable, excellent, praiseworthy, or beautiful, God lavishes His love upon us. He did this “in order to make known the riches of his glory,” as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Romans%209%3A15%E2%80%9323/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 9:15–23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            makes clear. The love that God shows us, now His children in Christ, is entirely free and gracious, flowing from Him to us, not because of us, but entirely because of Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Once we can comprehend this type of love, it is a glorious and encouraging reality. Human love is so often grounded in the object of our love, which is why people speak of “falling in and out of love.” What makes our hearts sing one day leaves us disappointed and despairing the next. We can be so fickle. Then we take our ever-changing, always-conditional love, and read our humanness back into God. We think He loves like we love. May it never be. The unmerited love that God displays toward us is of an entirely different kind. Listen to how 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ephesians%201/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians 1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            describes it: “He chose us . . . before the foundation of the world . . . in love . . . according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%201%3A4%E2%80%936/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 1:4–6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He chose us in Christ. He perfectly loves Jesus, described here as “the Beloved.” That is who Christ is—the loved one of God. And out of Himself, He loves us just as He loves Christ, and this from all eternity. Could there be any greater news?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If ever there is a question about whether God loves us, the biblical solution is not to look to ourselves, our love, or our faithfulness. Instead, we are called to look at the objective reality of what God has done for us in Christ. We are to ground our certainty and assurance of His love in who He is and what He has done—not in ourselves, which is ever-shifting sand.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As a biblical theologian, Geerhardus Vos famously said, “The best proof that He will never cease to love us” is “that He never began.” Jesus has loved us from all eternity. He has always and will always love His people—His sheep—His precious chosen ones. As the children’s song so simply and profoundly puts it, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” May this be all the answer to the question “Does Jesus love me?” we ever need. The answer, in Christ, is “yes.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/does-jesus-love-me" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/does-jesus-love-me
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2023 16:41:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-14-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-13-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-13-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-13-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God's children now
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           See what kind of love the Father has given to us that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/1%20John%203:1-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 3:1-2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “See what kind of love the Father has given to us.” Consider who we were and what we feel ourselves to be even now when corruption is at work within us, and you will wonder at our adoption. Yet we are called God’s children. What a high relationship is that of a son, and what privileges it brings! What care and tenderness the son expects from his father, and what love the father feels toward the son! But all that, and more than that, we now have through Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As for the temporary drawback of suffering with the elder brother, this we accept as an honor: “The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” We are content to be unknown with Him in His humiliation, for we are to be exalted with Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Beloved, we are God’s children now.” That is easy to read, but it is not so easy to feel. How is it with your heart this morning? Are you in the lowest depths of sorrow? Does corruption rise within your spirit, and grace seem like a poor spark trampled underfoot? Does your faith almost fail you? Fear not, it is neither your graces nor feelings on which you are to live: you must live simply by faith in Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With all these things against us, now—in the very depths of our sorrow, wherever we may be—now, as much in the valley as on the mountain, “Beloved, we are God’s children now.” “Ah, but,” you say, “look at my condition! My graces are not bright; my righteousness does not shine with apparent glory.” But read the next: “What we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him.” The Holy Spirit shall purify our minds, and divine power shall refine our bodies, and then we shall see Him as He is.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/02/13/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/02/13/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2023 14:51:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-13-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-10-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-10-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-10-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Harder to be Full than Empty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I know how to abound.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Philippians%204:12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Philippians 4:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are many who know "how to be brought low" who have not learned "how to abound." When they are set upon the top of a pinnacle their heads grow dizzy, and they are ready to fall. The Christian disgraces his profession more often in prosperity than in adversity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is a dangerous thing to be prosperous. The crucible of adversity is a less severe trial for the Christian than the place of prosperity. What leanness of soul and neglect of spiritual things have been brought on through the very mercies and bounties of God!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet this is not a matter of necessity, for the apostle tells us that he knew how to abound. When he had much, he knew how to use it. Abundant grace enabled him to bear abundant prosperity. When he had a full sail he was loaded with much ballast, and so floated safely. It needs more than human skill to carry the brimming cup of earthly joy with a steady hand; yet Paul had learned that skill, for he declares, "In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is a divine lesson to know how to be full, for the Israelites were full once, but while the food was still in their mouths, the wrath of God came upon them. Many have asked for mercies, that they might satisfy their own hearts' lust. Fullness of bread has often made fullness of blood, and that has brought on emptiness of spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When we have plenty of God's providential mercies, it often happens that we have but little of God's grace, and little gratitude for the blessings we have received. We are full, and we forget God: Satisfied with earth, we are content to do without heaven.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rest assured, it is harder to know how to be full than it is to know how to be hungry--so desperate is the tendency of human nature to pride and forgetfulness of God. Take care that you ask in your prayers that God would teach you how to be full.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let not the gifts Thy love bestows
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Estrange our hearts from Thee.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/02/10/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/02/10/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 10 Feb 2023 12:38:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-10-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-9-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-9-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-9-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Last Word 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Though I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%2013/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We have come to the end again. It’s time for another last word. It is the end of the school year, yes. It’s the end of seminary years for graduates; yes. But it’s also the end of the great festival cycle of the church year. The birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord have been proclaimed to us and now, at last, it has been said that the Spirit has been poured out upon us all. It is all accomplished. So now we ought to be able to speak it. What is the last word?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Though I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How about that for a last word? Surely it’s a good word; one that can hardly be surpassed. So good, in fact, that I might just say it and sit down. That might even be the greater part of love! But the trouble is, I haven’t said anything yet. I have only said something about how to speak. And it’s possible that to say nothing more than that would not be particularly loving.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But what can I say? “Though I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol.” That word is a terrifyingly exacting task-master. However theologically correct, biblically sound, rhetorically eloquent, homiletically splendid, religiously grand, angelic or even Spirit-breathed my words, if I have not love – have not agape, self-giving spirit – it’s all just hollow noise, empty prattle.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But who then can presume to speak? Who can pass this test? This final exam? Are we not condemned to silence? These were Paul’s last words, so to speak, on that messy scene at Corinth – what we today politely call “diversity!” Paul’s yet “more excellent way.” The completion of the grand festival cycle, the outpouring of the Spirit had resulted in little else than that noisy argument, bitter and divisive, religious rank-pulling of the worst sort: “I’ve got the Spirit, and you haven’t.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And I suppose now that Pentecost is come and gone we too have all been treated to the annual orgy of self-recrimination over the fact that “we don’t talk enough about the Spirit,” and how Lutherans are second article Unitarians and enlightening palaver of similar sort. Diversity? Oh yes! You name it, we’ve got it! But in a sense, that isn’t strange, Paul says. There are different gifts, the body has many members doing different things. You just have to get it all together. “Well, thanks a lot, Paul! Have you any more helpful advice for us?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yes, now that you mention it, there is one more thing – a yet more excellent way. “If I speak in tongues human or angelic but have not love I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol.” Yes, but how shall I so speak? How shall I avoid adding my voice one last time to the squabble? One last cut? Here’s my chance! One last bit of cynicism, one last impressive, weighty demonstration, one final bit of advice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I do have more to say, you know! I’ve been talking all year, but I didn’t really finish! You probably couldn’t believe all the things I think you ought to know and do! Indeed, if only you could somehow be made over into something closer to my image, things would be a lot better, of course! After all, noisy gongs and clanging symbols can be impressive too, you know!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Paul had to go and spoil it all. “If I speak in tongues human and angelic, but have not love…”. What then can I say? What is the last word? Perhaps I shall have to give up – and you shall, at last, speak for another, speak of another, speak in the Spirit. How else can I get by here? Could it be that that is what Paul was driving at? That it’s not a matter of talk about the Spirit, however grand; not about what we’ve got, but of speaking in the Spirit? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And what then shall I say? How about, “Your sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake?” But that’s awfully simplistic, and maybe even kind of embarrassing, isn’t it? Come on, Forde, can’t you think of something more profound to say? Yes, I can, now that you mention it! After all, I am a professor! Besides, I don’t even think you deserve it – not after hearing what you have to say! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And I don’t know if I can really trust you with it. If it were up to me, I would find something else to say to you. But there is this stricture: “If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol.” I don’t know what else to say. And you see, I don’t know how to do that in any other way. And so it boils down to agape, to giving ourselves over to each other, to this moment, this ending. So I shall speak, at last, and you will listen, “Your sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake.” And that’s the last word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles//the-last-word" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles//the-last-word
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2023 16:56:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-9-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-8-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-8-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-8-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Freedom... 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “This world has no importance and whoever recognizes that wins his freedom. And that’s just it—I hate you because you are bound. I alone am free. Rejoice, for you finally have an emperor to teach you freedom…”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            So speaks the Emperor Caligula, in Albert Camus’ play of the same name.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But did Caligula represent true freedom? History records he used his power in self-indulgent extravagance, no matter how cruel or disgusting. He did whatever he pleased.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many consider freedom is the ability to do whatever you want without external restraints. For the extreme capitalist it means no market controls; for the extreme socialist it means the power of the collective to impose its will on the individual without restraint; for the extreme hedonist it means the license to follow the lusts of the heart.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his highly respected Sermon on the Mount Jesus lays out the pattern for living that he expects of his people. Significantly, he doesn’t simply set out a list of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           do’s
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           don’ts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Rather he opens up the real meaning of love for God in loving our neighbor. Let me touch on themes we read in Matthew chapter 5, verses 21 through 48.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Anger.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (5:21, 22): 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘You shall not murder’ is the 6th Commandment of the Ten. But consider Jesus’s words: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . He is saying that our angry and hateful 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           thoughts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            are just as problematical as the actual action of murder.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “…And,”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            he continues, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Anyone who thinks or says to another, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fool
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            or 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Idiot
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , says Jesus, is subject to the fires of God’s judgment – separation from God and from all that is true and good, a separation he likens to the fires of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gehenna
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , the Valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem where the city refuse was dumped and burned. The judgement we think is reserved for the literal murderer, also hangs over everyone who is angry, bitter or contemptuous.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “So, when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Matthew 5:23)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            DA Carson comments, ‘How easy it is to substitute ceremony for integrity, purity and love; but Jesus will have none of it.’ Before going to church, Jesus says, ensure your relationship with others is sorted out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lust.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jesus continues (5:27). Society often turns a blind eye towards adultery, undercutting marriage as a lifelong commitment. However, Jesus sharpens the focus: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (5:28). By labeling lust adultery, he reveals a deeper level to the 7th commandment in terms of the 10th which prohibits covetousness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus is not prohibiting sex: the sexual relationship between a man and woman in marriage is a God-given gift. Nor is he prohibiting the normal attraction that exists between men and women. His issue is with the desires of our hearts controlling our thoughts and behavior.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Oaths.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “You have heard that it was said in ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord…’”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jesus says (5:33).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are Old Testament references permitting oath-taking, even in God’s name. For example, in Deuteronomy 10:20 we read, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You shall fear the Lord your God. Him you will serve, to him you will cleave, and you will swear by his name.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            There are also references in the New Testament: Paul swears on God’s name and calls on God to be his witness – as we read in Romans 1:9; 2 Corinthians 1:23; and 1 Thessalonians 2:5. We also find God swearing oaths – that he will not flood the world again (Genesis 9:9-11); that he will send a Redeemer (Luke 1:68, 73); that he will raise his son from the dead (Acts 2:27-31).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All this swearing points to its real purpose – the importance of telling the truth. As one commentator has noted, swearing an oath makes the truth all the more solemn and sure.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why then does Jesus speak about 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           swearing falsely
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ? Jewish commentary on the Old Testament law in Jesus’ day set out to define what oaths were binding and what were not. One rabbi taught that if you swore an oath 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           by
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jerusalem, you were NOT bound by your oath. If, however, you swore an oath 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           toward
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jerusalem, you were bound by your oath.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The swearing of oaths became a game you played. Depending on how you played it, you could get away with lying and deception. It was against this kind of casuistry that Jesus spoke.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By relating every oath to God, because everything is ultimately under God’s direction, he presses the point of truthfulness. Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No’. Who hasn’t distorted the truth – for example, to put others down and to push ourselves up? Or who of us has said we will do something and then reneged on the commitment?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rights.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth…’”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (5:38) – words of the Mosaic law found in Exodus 21 and Leviticus 24.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The law is both prescriptive and restrictive. If an assailant knocked out another person’s eye, one of the assailant’s eyes is forfeit – but not the second eye. The law provided justice but at the same time it prevented the escalation of feuding and bloodshed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Into this scene Jesus now introduces a radical response: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person…”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Does this mean Jesus’ followers shouldn’t take up arms, enter the police force or become sentencing judges and magistrates?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Commentators agree that Jesus is speaking about 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           personal
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            abuse towards his people. In times where we might suffer because of our faith, we should nevertheless stand up against evil for the sake of our neighbours.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (5:43).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Behind Jesus’ words lies the deeper truth about God: how good and gracious he is to both the righteous and the unrighteous – he makes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. If God is like this, what would our world be like if God’s people prayed for all who oppose God?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Perfection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Be perfect therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (5:48).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           People used to say how much better the world would be if everyone got back to the basics of the Ten Commandments. But this isn’t what Jesus is saying. His diagnosis of the human dilemma isn’t a matter of do’s and don’ts. Rather he sees a much deeper problem – the desires of our hearts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, under certain conditions the muck at the bottom of our hearts, surfaces. We all need God’s help and, amazingly, this is something God is willing to provide.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We get a glimpse of this where Jesus continues: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘so that you may be children of your Father in heaven…”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (5:45). God wants to work within us, to pass on his moral genes. He wants us to bear the fruit of the Spirit – fruit that reveals the work of God’s Word and his Spirit in our lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus is telling us that our broken relationship with God has consequences: judgement and the fires of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gehenna
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . But as we read on in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and the rest of the New Testament, we learn that Jesus himself has paid the penalty of our self-absorption. Yes, we all like sheep have gone astray, but the Lord has laid on Jesus the penalty we deserve. He did this because God’s nature is also to have mercy. When Jesus died, he took the penalty for our hatred, our deceit, our lust, our insistence on our rights, our lack of love – indeed for all our imperfections.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Where is our hope for freedom – in a long list of do’s and don’ts? Or is our freedom found in confessing our broken relationship with Christ and in a heartfelt desire to honor him?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Camus’ 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Caligula
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            seemed free to do anything he wanted. But was he really free? The play concludes with Caligula facing his murderers, saying: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “I have chosen a wrong path, a path that leads to nothing. My freedom isn’t the right one…. Oh, how oppressive is this darkness!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           True freedom is not the licence to do as we like, but the liberty to do what we know is right.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much our own ways and the desires of our own hearts, and have broken your holy laws. We have left undone the things that we ought to have done, and we have done what we ought not to have done. Yet, good Lord, have mercy upon us; restore all those who are truly penitent, according to your promises declared to us in Jesus Christ our Lord. And grant merciful Father, for his sake, that we may live a godly and obedient life, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/freedom/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/freedom/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2023 01:09:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-8-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-7-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-7-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-7-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5 Things You Should Know about Adoption 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Of the cardinal benefits that believers receive by faith in Jesus Christ, adoption is perhaps the most overlooked. Justification is much discussed, and sanctification is part of our day-to-day life as believers. But adoption is important as well, and understanding it and resting in its precious truths can bear fruit in the lives of believers. Here are five things you should know about adoption.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1. Adoption is one of the benefits of union with Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Like justification and sanctification, adoption accrues to believers by virtue of their union with Jesus Christ by faith alone. The Westminster Larger Catechism states:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Adoption is an act of the free grace of God, in and for his only Son Jesus Christ, whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his children, have his name put upon them, the Spirit of his Son given to them, are under his fatherly care and dispensations, admitted to all the liberties and privileges of the sons of God, made heirs of all the promises, and fellow-heirs with Christ in glory. (WLC 74)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Adoption is a one-time, definitive act that flows from the work of Jesus Christ and that brings us into the family of God, with all the privileges that that new status brings (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%201%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 1:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2. Adoption means becoming a member of the family of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In our natural state, we are alienated from the family of God. We are of the devil, enslaved to sin (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%208%3A44/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 8:44
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%202%3A1%E2%80%933/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 2:1–3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But in adoption, we are received into the family of God and numbered among His children. The Apostle Paul writes of this glorious change in status: “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%202%3A19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 2:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3. Adoption means that we have God as our Father.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the late nineteenth century, the prominent liberal theologian Adolf von Harnack distilled the essence of Christianity down to two truths: the universal brotherhood of man and the universal fatherhood of God. While God is the Creator of all people, He does not stand in a fatherly relationship to all people. To have God as one’s Father and to be a son of God is a privilege reserved for those who have been adopted into His family (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%201%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 1:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This is why the Apostle John says with reverence, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1JN.3.1.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 3:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It is why the Pharisees were so scandalized by Jesus’ calling God His Father (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%205%3A18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 5:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and why Jesus taught His disciples to pray to God as their Father (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%206%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 6:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           4. Adoption means that we have access to God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of the great tragedies of Roman Catholic theology is its theology of the saints. Roman Catholics are taught that God is too busy to hear their prayers, so they should ask the saints—especially the Virgin Mary—to intercede on their behalf. This is a horrible doctrine. True believers have no need to ask for intercession, for through Christ, the one Mediator, they have access to God Himself (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2014%3A13%E2%80%9314/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 14:13–14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1TI.2.5.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Tim. 2:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Paul writes: “For through him we both [i.e., Jewish and gentile believes] have access in one Spirit to the Father” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%202%3A18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 2:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%205%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 5:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5. Adoption means that we have rights as sons of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus Christ is the Son of God by nature, and we are sons of God by adoption. That status brings with it a host of rights and benefits that we enjoy alongside our Older Brother. Those rights and benefits include the gift of the Spirit, the bestowal of the name of God, freedom from the slavery of the law, a share in the suffering and glory of Christ, and especially an inheritance that is stored up for those who are in Christ. The Apostle Paul writes:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%208%3A14%E2%80%9317/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 8:14–17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%201%3A11%E2%80%9314/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 1:11–14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           May we live in the comfort and confidence that comes with knowing that our heavenly Father has adopted us in love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/5-things-adoption" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/5-things-adoption
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2023 14:26:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-7-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-6-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-6-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-6-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How Many Prayers? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praying at all times.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Ephesians%206:18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians 6:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What countless prayers we have offered from the first moment we learned to pray. Our first prayer was a prayer for ourselves; we asked that God would have mercy upon us and blot out our sin. He heard us. But when He had blotted out our sins like a cloud, then we had more prayers for ourselves. We have had to pray for sanctifying grace, for constraining and restraining grace; we have been led to crave for a fresh assurance of faith, for the comfortable application of the promise, for deliverance in the hour of temptation, for help in the line of duty, and for comfort in the day of trial. We have been compelled to go to God for our souls, as constant beggars asking for everything.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remember, child of God, you have never been able to get anything for your soul anywhere else. All the bread your soul has eaten has come down from heaven, and all the water it has drunk has flowed from the living rock—Christ Jesus the Lord. Your soul has never grown rich in itself; it has always been dependent upon the daily provision of God; and consequently your prayers have ascended to heaven for a vast range of spiritual mercies. Your wants were innumerable, and therefore the supplies have been infinitely great, and your prayers have been as varied as the mercies have been countless.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So then have you not reason to say, “I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy”? For as your prayers have been many, so also have God’s answers been. He has heard you in the day of trouble, has strengthened you and helped you, even when you dishonored Him by trembling and doubting at His throne. Remember this, and let it fill your heart with gratitude to God, who has graciously heard your poor, weak prayers. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.103.2.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 103:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/02/06/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/02/06/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2023 00:18:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-6-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-3-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-3-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-3-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Debt to the Attributes of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So then, brothers, we are debtors.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Romans%208:12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 8:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As God's creatures, we are all debtors to Him: to obey Him with all our body and soul and strength. Having broken His commandments, as we all have, we are debtors to His justice, and we owe to Him a vast amount that we are not able to pay.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But of the Christian it can be said that he does not owe God's justice anything, for Christ has paid the debt His people owed; for this reason the believer is in debt to love. I am a debtor to God's grace and forgiving mercy; but I am no debtor to His justice, for He will never accuse me of a debt already paid. Christ said, "It is finished!" and by that He meant that whatever His people owed was wiped away forever from the book of remembrance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ has completely satisfied divine justice; the account is settled; the handwriting is nailed to the cross; the receipt is given, and we are no longer in debt to God's justice. But then it follows that since we are not debtors to our Lord in that sense, we become ten times more debtors to God than we should have been otherwise. Christian, pause and consider for a moment.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            What a debtor you are to divine sovereignty! How much you owe to His disinterested love, for He gave His own Son that He might die for you. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Consider how much you owe to His forgiving grace, that even after ten thousand offenses He loves you as infinitely as ever. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Consider what you owe to His power; how He has raised you from your death in sin; how He has preserved your spiritual life; how He has kept you from falling; and how, though a thousand enemies have surrounded your path, you have been able to hold on your way. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Consider what you owe to His immutability. Though you have changed a thousand times, He has not changed once. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You are as deep in debt as you can be to every attribute of God. To God you owe yourself and all you have: Offer yourself as a living sacrifice; it is but your reasonable service.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/02/03/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/02/03/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2023 20:56:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-3-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-2-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-2-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-2-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Freakonomics of Jesus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Righteousness before God is possessed only by grace and that through the currency of faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fasting, giving, devotional and family life, reputation as salt and light: all the things that have preceded 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matthew%206%3A24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 6:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount involve the discovery of who you are through whom you serve. The Lord himself states it as plainly as possible: Kingdom people “cannot serve God and money.” So take inventory of priorities — how is time spent, and what holds your principal concern? To be rich and God’s servant invites problems. To be sure, money is merely a contrivance and not an “evil” per se. But “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Tim.%206%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Tim. 6:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) because we cannot serve two masters. The problem isn’t it but us. The issue with God and money is about the heart’s desire and the godly ordering of our wealth and power.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are challenges, however, not only with idolizing money but also the rejection of the goodness of creation. Jesus saves us from the sinfulness of both and endows us with his Spirit to walk in after his manner when it comes to stewardship of wealth and power. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There’s room for optimism here. The disciple resolved “to lose his life for [Christ’s] sake” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%2010%3A39/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 10:39
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) is not determined by wealth or power but determines how their wealth and power may be serviceable to the kingdom and take great joy in generosity. Baptism brings a transition from the realm of idolatry to the domain of Christ. New heart. New mind. Some Christians are so astonishingly liberated from the potential lording of money over their souls that they live by the Biblical maxim, “Freely you have received, freely give” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%2010%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 10:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). They joyfully give from the abundance which they’ve received. Biblical examples abound, with Lydia being among the most well-known in the New Testament (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Acts%2016%3A11-15%2C%2040/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 16:11-15, 40
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%204%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 4:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). She understood the issue of allegiance was a matter of love, just as Jesus taught: one love, one master. All things are received from his hand with thanksgiving. All things are available to his service. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           James K. A. Smith, in the tradition of St. Augustine, identifies the correlation between loves and habits, whereby our loves condition our habits that evidence who or what we worship, namely the object that lords over our hearts. In turn, who or what we worship determines who or what we are, for we become what we worship; we are transformed into the image of our worship. [2] A life habituated toward money externalizes our habituated idolatry, revealing a life under the mastery of money and diminished by its values and deceits. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Who or what we worship determines who or what we are, for we become what we worship;"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When it comes to love and allegiance, Jesus speaks unambiguously in the Sermon on the Mount: wealth is a thorny problem since it breeds idolatry. As N. T. Wright put it, riches, from a biblical point of view, are an affliction, an almost insuperable obstacle to entering the kingdom of heaven. [3] Our pursuit of health and happiness by way of wealth is bad for those who succeed by the standards of capitalism as well as for those who fail by its standards if, for no other reason, we’re incapable of serving two masters. [4]
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Living in the West, even with runaway inflation, the vast majority of Christians are glutted with excess. Recoiling from contemporary greed and wastefulness to serve only our Master Jesus slouches toward austerity: a life of frugality and deprivation. This position, too, can be sinful in its world-denying minimalism. Indeed, repudiating the goodness of creation and the fullness thereof bespeaks of another idolatry: spiritualism at the expense of physicality and God’s commitment to a bourgeoning new creation beginning with the resurrection of Jesus the Son. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matthew%206%3A24-34/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 6:24-34
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Jesus provides commentary on the Lord’s Prayer: the disciple’s life is one lived in such a way as to know what it means to ask for our daily bread. The disciple knows all they reallyneed has already been provided by the Savior of the world. We need atonement. We need representation and substitution. We need forgiveness from God and perfection before the law. We need the way, the truth, and the eternal life. Jesus, then, is our daily bread in the ultimate sense. For he is “the Bread of Life” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%206%3A35/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 6:35
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ’s self-reference invokes the word of God and the Sacraments since he himself is “the Word made flesh” and the Sacrament that sacramentalizes the sacraments with his incarnate self-giving (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%206%3A51/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 6:51
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And yet, as the world’s rightful and reigning King — the Christ of God — it belongs to him to provide for the material needs of his people. Jesus says as much: “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%206%3A31-32/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 6:31-32
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The Gentiles, in love with wine and sex and power and wealth, have made idols of these things: Bacchus, Aphrodite, Zeus, Plutus, and Janus. This prompts the summary and climatic last verse of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matthew%206/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (v.33). 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The point Jesus makes is more subtle for modern ears and less so for his contemporaries. We need a Lord who operates by an entirely different economy. Wealth, of course, is tethered to power. To have wealth is to wield power. To have power is to control wealth. In this way, the days of the first disciples are no different than our own. The gods (read: idols) of antiquity are still with us. It’s just that they go by more innocuous names. Jesus’ teaching on wealth, then, just like his teaching on baptism and Holy Communion, posits a hotly political challenge: God or Caesar (that is, any and all structures dominated by Caesar). Caesar, of course, was the most powerful, the wealthiest person in the Roman Empire. Caesar controlled all trade, all taxation, and all economic factors. Consequently, even feigned patronage to Caesar was life and salvation. No, you can’t serve God and money. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet, even this misses the deeper subtly: The Jews sought economic freedom every bit as much as geopolitical independence. They rejected the idolatry of Roman coinage (and yet hypocritically possessed and used it, as Jesus exposed in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%2020%3A22-26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 20:22-26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and used Jewish mintage in Temple transactions. As part of the Maccabean revolution (167-160 BC) and the First Jewish Revolt (68-69 BC), the Judeans minted their own coinage as a mark of sovereignty. In Jesus’ day, Lepta (sg. lepton), bronze coins minted by the Hasmonean (Maccabean) Dynasty, were prized, not because of their value (they were low-quality and nearly worthless), but because of what they represented. Jesus seems to be addressing, as he so frequently does, a sphere of misplaced trust and failing Jewish hopes: “You Zealots and Pharisees longing for revolution, no, you cannot serve God and money.” An economy of grace would be the revolution brought about by the Christ of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord’s dictum, then, is rightly characterized as subversive to the prevailing power structures in its call to unconditional allegiance to him. As he powerfully spoke to his auditors then, so he speaks in the word of God to us today. Jesus threatens the ideologies of those who rule when, by his Spirit, he turns the loves—i.e., the hearts—of his people from the structures of wealth to the One who is our righteousness. Jesus’ people will not be possessed by possessions or the possessors. To seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness is to discover that which is given to us, not that which is achieved or curried as favor (especially in kiss-up prestige societies with strata of status): grace, not gain. Jesus’ words that we worry not about tomorrow because today’s trouble is enough is not just good advice but wisdom that reflects the character of God’s new creation manifest in Christ’s life and ministry. To live without anxiety about fleeting manufactured structures and systems is to live as a new creation, to know real peace and joy, no matter what’s in your bank account.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ people will not be possessed by possessions or the possessors.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus teaches us what it means to live in faith toward God for things necessary (forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation) but also needful things (food, drink, clothing, etc.). The domain where the two intersect is the kingdom of God on Earth: the holy Church where Jesus is present as “our righteousness” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%201%3A30/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 1:30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Here, the Lord provides the baptized with a community of trust where mutual sharing, giving, and caring are to take place concerning the overlapping spheres of necessity and need. Jesus moves “all these things” that we need into the realm of his divine care, undermining the allurement to idolatry by prioritizing our love and, therefore, habits of worshipful pursuit. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Christ is our righteousness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Of course, the final conflict between Jesus and money occurs on the Holy Cross. Satan, lusting for divine power, uses money, in fact, thirty silver coins paid from the Jewish Temple treasury (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%2026%3A14-15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 26:14-15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), as the bargaining price by his betrayer, Judas. Every dimension of the Temple, now, including its monetary payment system for tithing, prescribed redemption prices, and the like, is judged and rendered defunct. With his own blood, Jesus will pay the price of ransom (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Mark%2010%3A48/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 10:48
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), which fully satisfies the divine economy. Righteousness before God is possessed only by grace and that through the currency of faith. Whereas the Temple money led to suicide, the atonement led to salvation. Serving money brings death. Love of God is life. The world’s economic systems are thus turned on their heads. What the King accomplishes with the payment of his own precious blood, he now freely gives in the proclamation of grace and gifts in holy baptism. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Come, everyone who thirsts,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           come to the waters;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           and he who has no money,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           come, buy and eat!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come, buy wine and milk
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           without money and without price.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           and delight yourselves in rich food.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Incline your ear, and come to me;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           hear, that your soul may live;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           my steadfast, sure love for David. (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Isa.%2055%3A1-3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 55:1-3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [1] James K. A. Smith, You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit(Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2016).
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           [2] See G. K. Beale, We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2008).
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           [3] N. T. Wright, Matthew For Everyone: Part 1: Chapters 1-15 (London: SPCK, 2002), 64-65.
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           [4] Ibid.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles//the-freakonomics-of-jesus" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles//the-freakonomics-of-jesus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2023 10:49:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-2-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 2-1-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-1-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-1-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Salt and Light in a troubled world
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Loud voices today insist there is no God, leaving us adrift on the ocean of life without an agreed moral compass. Persuasive voices appeal to our basic, albeit unthinking instincts, while the profounder, wiser voices that speak to the depths of our souls are drowned out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Into this world of confusion and noise, anger and division, Jesus’ timeless words to all his followers stand out: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “You are the salt of the earth”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “You are the light of the world”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.5.13-14.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 5:13, 14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ metaphor of salt is double-edged:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            his followers are to bring out the flavor of what it means to be men and women; we are also to act as a preservative, slowing down the decay of society. Both a tall order!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He has in mind the impact of the counter-cultural lifestyle he has just identified in his eight 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           beatitudes
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            – the ‘blessed’ who would experience the incomparable joys of God’s kingdom (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.5.3-12.NIV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 5:3-12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). They are the people who understand their spiritual poverty before God, who mourn their failure to honor God and who grieve for a world that turns its back on God; they are ones who, instead of engaging in the power play and deceptions of the world, walk the tougher path of humility and service, truth and peace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, it was because Jesus knew humanity without God would always spiral 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           away
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            from truth and goodness, that he called on his followers to be 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the salt of the earth
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . He expects everyone of us who has turned to him in repentance and faith, to live in a way thatexemplifies the beauty, goodness and joy of Godly living, and slow down the rot of self-interest and greed, of injustice and the unchecked power-play of social elites. Today’s world either ignores or simply rejects the reality that none of us is good. We’re all flawed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Jesus was all too aware the world needs good and godly examples pointing to him and his kingdom. But this will only happen when his followers don’t become insipid. That’s why he warns against salt losing its saltiness: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “…if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.5.13.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 5:13b
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           NaCl is a stable compound. However, in the ancient world, salt was obtained more from salt marshes and contained many impurities. The actual salt could be leeched out, leaving a substance that tasted salty but in fact was worthless. ‘Watch out,’ Jesus warns, ‘that you don’t become insipid, wishy-washy fools’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How do people view you? Do you claim to be a believer, but your life remains unchanged? Is your lifestyle directed by the culture or by the Bible? Are you just as greedy, unforgiving, and as selfish as everyone around you? ‘If you call yourself a follower of mine,’ Jesus says, ‘let your life be transformed by my words, for 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “You are the salt of the earth”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Letter to the Colossians
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Paul the Apostle writes: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time… Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (4:5-6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Salt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            here is a metaphor for sparkling conversations that trigger questions about life. Have you considered ways you could use news items and opinion columns to ask questions and spark conversations about the goodness of God and his good news?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “You are the light of the world…”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jesus continues (Matthew 5:14). Negatively he is saying that there is a darkness about our human existence – something we easily forget because we live in an age that has turned away from God’s compass bearings.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Up until the 1970s morality in the West was grounded in the Judaeo-Christian ethic. But now all has changed. Few leaders anywhere would challenge the prevailing assumption that there is no morally binding objective authority or truth above the individual.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some 700 years before Jesus was born, Isaiah wrote of the birth of God’s King. In chapter 9 he speaks of the people walking in darkness and seeing a great light: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On those living in a land where the shadow of death falls, a light has dawned. A child will be born. He will be called “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, in John chapter 8 we read Jesus’ electrifying words: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . God, the source of all true light, has come into our world in person. Jesus, the light who reveals God, calls us out from the darkness of our own ego into the light.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But how will our world today come to know him? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “You are the light of the world,”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jesus says
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . “A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house…”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.5.14-16.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 5:14f
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Everything you are, everything you do,’ Jesus says, ‘must reflect all I have taught you.’ He expects us to reflect the light of God in our lives to the world. Yet do we? Do we endeavor to live out what he teaches in his Sermon on the Mount? Or do we hide the light of our faith?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Let your light shine before others,”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jesus says, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven…”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.5.16.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 5:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Live your life in the light of my words,’ he says, ‘and others will be drawn to my light and love’. It’s an awesome thought. We’re all involved. When we’re tempted to despair at the moral decline around us, we need to ask ourselves, ‘How do my family and friends, my colleagues see me? Just like everyone else, or as someone who knows the hope and the joy of God’s gospel?’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus calls us to two tasks – to be 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           salt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           light
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . As 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           salt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            we are to play our part as Godly examples of what it means to be men and women and so slow down society’s decay. As 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           light
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            we are to awaken people to God’s truth, with its hope and joy. Beware therefore of sin or compromise that reduces your Godly influence as salt. Beware of hiding the light of your faith through laziness or fear.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How are we to do this in a world that thinks it has all the answers? Ask questions. Ask if there is any real and long-lasting hope in the noise of today. And look for ways to show how good God is.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for God’s grace that the light in your life will shine for everyone to see – in your kindness and care for others; in the way you cope with the challenges of life. Jesus will use our good works and our words to draw people to his light so that on the last day they too will glorify God. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “You are the salt of the earth,… You are the light of the world.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the prayers of your people: and so grant us that whatever we ask for in faith we may surely obtain; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Teach us, gracious Lord, to begin our works with reverence, to go on in obedience, and finish them with love; and then to wait patiently in hope, and with cheerful countenance to look up to you, whose promises are faithful and rewards infinite; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/salt-and-light-in-a-troubled-world/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/salt-and-light-in-a-troubled-world/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2023 21:11:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-2-1-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 1-31-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-31-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-31-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Discerning Entertainment
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My maternal grandfather, James Robson Featherstone (1915–1995), was born in Wallsend, England, and immigrated to America when he was thirteen years old. A talented singer, he rose to prominence during the big band era in Chicago in the early 1940s. He lived his life among the rich and famous, cut many records, played poker with the Three Stooges, and along the way, lost his professed faith, his family, his fame, and his money. Jimmy Featherstone’s wife, my grandmother, who was also involved in entertainment in the 1940s, brought my mother into modeling when she was young. Coming from such a background, it was natural for my mother to see how I might do in entertainment, culminating in my short time as one of the first Backstreet Boys and my declining Lou Pearlman’s offer to be one of the first members of what became NSYNC.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Although I only caught a glimpse of the entertainment industry, it was enough to help me appreciate all that people must do to be successful in that world and, what’s more, to give me a deep sorrow and distaste for much of it. Through my experience in entertainment, God has heightened my sensitivity as I have attempted to lead my family in how we view and enjoy all types of entertainment: from TV shows to movies, from operas to music, from books to Broadway musicals, from bedtime stories to board games.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We must be vigilant as we use discernment in how we enjoy entertainment—looking to the light of God’s Word to guide us and inform our consciences.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Entertainment of all sorts can be a wonderful way to rest and recuperate from the busyness, noise, and struggles of life. Entertainment allows our imaginations to travel the world and explore the universe, to go on adventures with hobbits and knights in shining armor, to go back in time and experience history, and to better understand people and our culture. But we must always guard our eyes and our hearts. For we cannot even begin to understand all the ways that Hollywood has affected us. Entertainment affects our minds, our homes, our culture, and our churches. Consequently, we must be vigilant as we use discernment in how we enjoy entertainment—looking to the light of God’s Word to guide us and inform our consciences.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Entertainment isn’t evil in itself, and we can enjoy it as we remember that in whatever we do, our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever as we live coram Deo, before the face of our omniscient and gracious God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/discerning-entertainment" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/discerning-entertainment
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2023 14:36:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-31-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 1-30-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/my-post686f0cf0</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-30-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be Prepared
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/2%20Samuel%205:24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Samuel 5:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The members of Christ's Church should be very prayerful, always seeking the unction of the Holy One to rest upon their hearts, that the kingdom of Christ may come, and that His "will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.6.10.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt 6:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) But there are times when God seems especially to favor Zion; such seasons ought to be to them like "the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We ought then to be doubly prayerful, doubly earnest, wrestling more at the throne than we have been used to do. Action should then be prompt and vigorous. The tide is flowing–now let us pull manfully for the shore. O for Pentecostal outpourings and Pentecostal labors.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christian, in yourself there are times "when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees." You have a peculiar power in prayer; the Spirit of God gives you joy and gladness; the Scripture is open to you; the promises are applied; you walk in the light of God's countenance; you have peculiar freedom and liberty in devotion, and more closeness of communion with Christ than before. Now, at such joyous periods when you hear the "sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees," is the time to rouse yourself; now is the time to get rid of any evil habit, while God the Spirit helps your infirmities. Spread your sail; but remember what you sometimes sing...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I can only spread the sail;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           But God must breathe the auspicious gale.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Only be sure you have the sail up. Do not miss the gale for want of preparation for it. Seek help from God, that you may be more earnest in duty when made more strong in faith, that you may be more constant in prayer when you have more liberty at the throne, that you may be more holy in your conversation while you live more closely with Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/01/30/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/01/30/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2023 19:42:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/my-post686f0cf0</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 1-27-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-27-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-27-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Fullness in Christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h5&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And from his fullness we have all received.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h5&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h5&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%201:16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 1:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h5&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These words tell us that there is a fullness in Christ. There is a fullness of essential Deity, for "in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/COL.2.9-10.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 2:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) There is a fullness of perfect manhood, for in Him, bodily, that Godhead was revealed. There is a fullness of atoning efficacy in His blood, for "the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1JN.1.7.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 1:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) There is a fullness of justifying righteousness in His life, for "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/59/rom.8.1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 8:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) There is a fullness of divine prevalence in His plea, for "He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/59/heb.7.25" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 7:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is a fullness of victory in His death, for through death He destroyed him that had the power of death—that is, the devil. There is a fullness of efficacy in His resurrection from the dead, for by it "he has caused us to be born again to a living hope." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/59/1pe.1.3" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Peter 1:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) There is a fullness of triumph in His ascension, for "when he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/59/eph.4.8" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 4:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is a fullness of blessings of every sort and shape; a fullness of grace to pardon, of grace to regenerate, of grace to sanctify, of grace to preserve, and of grace to perfect. There is a fullness at all times; a fullness of comfort in affliction, a fullness of guidance in prosperity. A fullness of every divine attribute—of wisdom, of power, of love; a fullness that it is impossible to survey, much less to explore. "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/en-GB/bible/59/col.1.19" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 1:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Oh, what a fullness must this be of which all receive! Fullness, indeed, must there be when the stream is always flowing, and yet the well springs up as free, as rich, as full as ever. Come, believer, and get all your need supplied; ask largely, and you will receive largely, for this "fullness" is inexhaustible and is treasured up where all the needy may reach it, even in Jesus, Immanuel—God with us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/01/27/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/01/27/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jan 2023 16:04:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-27-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 1-26-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-26-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-26-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Visible and Invisible
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h5&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h5&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The good news is that with our God there is always more: more than we deserve, dare, ask, or expect, more than we can see, hear, feel, or think.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Halloween Season. The time when people think of and imagine invisible things like ghosts and ghouls and goblins. What do you think of when you think of invisible things?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rich Mullins was a singer, songwriter, and poet of my generation. Here is what he thought: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "There are invisible things. Like the light behind the earth that casts a shadow that we call night, like the sap that runs with life in the veins of trees that we think are dead, like the silence behind all the noise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Like the great beyond, too great to be fit into the lenses of our high-powered telescopes. Like the atmosphere for birds, the ocean for fish, too present to be discovered, which we are a part of, and apart from which we cannot have life. Invisible things.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Things cut off from our senses - like Eden barred from our first ancestors - guarded, hedged in, kept away. The Spirit, the angels, the hidden realm, the secret kingdom, God's hidden work, and his mysterious ways. The things we dream of and imagine we remember, things we yearn for and curse and deny and yet hope for in spite of ourselves. As if a part of our true selves belonged to a real world and not the one our lesser selves have settled for and surrendered to ... or would surrender to if not for the persistence of those invisible things.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The things the visible world points to and grasps at, but cannot quite reach, cannot quite escape. And just when our smug, agnostic selves settle into some comfortable, manageable despair, something goes bump in the night, something hums in our hearts and sweeps us up out of the numbness and into a great longing, the unquenchable hope that we would just as well live without, if only life was possible without invisible things." (Release Magazine, 1994)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the creed, we confess, “I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.” Many people think that the only things that are real are the things that you can see and hear and touch. There are no spiritual or supernatural powers at work, only natural, only what you can see and experience around you. This leads to some bad ideas and even worse consequences. Like the idea that you've only got one crack at this thing, only one go-around, so you better look out for #1 and go for the gusto and get yours while the gettin’ is good.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But if we are only living in a natural, material world where we're just fighting to survive, there is no concept of God and what it means to live in God's good creation, let alone the new creation that is to come. There is so much more to this life than just what we can see, taste, and touch; what we can collect, earn, accumulate, and put in our bank account. We need a better idea, a better image.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul says in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Colossians%201%3A15-20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Colossians 1:15-20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created - things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The image of the invisible God. The original icon, the eternal logos, the creator of the cosmos, the one who came from beyond the great beyond. The Incarnate One, in whom all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily, and in whom all things hold together. All things: that includes invisible things, like goodness, truth, beauty, and love. In him we see what love really is and where it comes from - the very heart of God. For God so loved the world, that he sent his one and only Son, for you, for me, for all. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rich Mullins could have had it all. He was on his way to being the number-one recording artist in Christian music. But the invisible things of God kept gnawing away at him. So he left his status and celebrity and went back to school for a music degree, and then on to New Mexico to live on a reservation so he could teach music to children and share God's love with them. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some say Christians are so heavenly-minded they are no earthly good. But the opposite is actually worse - to be so earthly-minded that you are no heavenly good. It’s our heavenly security in Christ that informs how we approach our neighbor in the earthly. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you have died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Colossians%203%3A1-3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Colossians 3:1-3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The good news is that with our God there is always more: more than we deserve, dare, ask, or expect, more than we can see, hear, feel, or think. Grace and mercy, faith and forgiveness, salvation and redemption, heaven and eternity, the glorious kingdom of God with all its riches and treasures in Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We thank God for all that we see - all the visible things our senses can perceive. But we thank God most of all for his Son, without whom we would be deaf, dumb, and blind to the invisible things of this world and the world to come. God, who said, “ let light shine out of darkness,” has made his light to shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles//visible-and-invisible" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles//visible-and-invisible
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2023 16:38:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-26-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 1-25-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-25-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-25-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The King's Speech...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h5&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h5&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great leaders are remembered for their speeches as well as their accomplishments – George Washington for his Inaugural address as President, Abraham Lincoln for his iconic Gettysburg address, and Martin Luther King for his Washington Speech, ‘I have a dream…’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today we turn to the introduction of a most memorable speech – Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount recorded in the Gospel of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.5.1-12.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           St Matthew, chapter 5, verses 1 through 12.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In chapter 1 Matthew introduces Jesus as God’s long-promised king, a descendent of the great King David (1:1). Foreigners, the Magi, came from the East and worshipped him as king (2:1-6). At his baptism, Jesus is called God’s ‘Son’, a title reserved for the kings of Israel (3:14-17; cp Psalm 2). And by the close of chapter 4, we learn that people have come to hear Jesus from the reaches of the vast empire that David and Solomon had ruled in the golden age of Israel’s history some thousand years before (4:23-25).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But there is something unexpected about the opening chapters: Matthew doesn’t record one word from Jesus himself. It seems deliberate. Matthew wants us to know that when we do hear from Jesus, we are not simply hearing from a ‘nice guy’, but from the great king. The Sermon on the Mount, we could say, is the King’s Speech!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew chapter 5 opens on a new scene. A huge crowd had gathered on a hillside and Jesus used the natural amphitheater to address the two groups of people present – followers and a large crowd of onlookers. And despite the diversity of his vast audience, Jesus’ words are electrifying: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Known as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Beatitudes
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            each line in his introduction begins, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed are …
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is sometimes translated 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           happy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , but that identifies just one aspect of the meaning. To be 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           blessed
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is to receive God’s approval and as this is God’s universe, God’s blessing is the greatest honor anyone can receive. From the outset Jesus’ words challenge us. Do we want the blessing that comes from celebrity status because we are perceived to be successful? Or do we truly want, above everything else in life, God’s blessing?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           beatitude
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            reveals that the really 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           blessed
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            are the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           poor in spirit
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Jesus isn’t speaking here of the materially destitute or the psychologically impoverished, the spiritual elite or the prayerful mystics. He’s referring to the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           spiritually
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            destitute.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Poverty in spirit is exemplified by the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           tax collector
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            in Jesus’ story in Luke 18:9-14. Over against the pride of the Pharisee, the tax collector humbly and honestly prayed from a corner in the Temple, ‘God, Be merciful to me, a sinner’. Poverty of spirit is the admission of our failure to love and honor God first in our lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Jesus continues. These people grieve for personal failure before God. They also mourn because, even dimly aware of God’s purity, they see how the world without God lives in darkness. They weep because of the erosion of truth, because of the greed, cynicism, and lack of compassion evident everywhere.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (5:5). Meekness isn’t a reference to the weak or insipid. It is a strong word, referring to the deep, selfless resolve to serve the best interests of others. Meekness is not insisting on your rights. It’s thinking of others before self – and hence not being on the front foot with criticism. No one of us is perfect. Jesus himself is the supreme example of true meekness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           meek
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            learn to look at life from God’s viewpoint and are content. Their egos are not so inflated they think they must always have more. In Christ they see themselves as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           possessing everything
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (2 Cor 6:10; cp 1 Cor 3:21-23). Furthermore, a billion years into eternity (if we can speak of eternity in terms of time), God’s people in the new heaven and the new earth will still be rejoicing that this beatitude is literally true. They will be grateful that by grace they learned to be meek during their initial threescore years and ten.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (5:6). Hunger and thirst are vivid images of desire. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Righteousness
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            suggests justice and truth. To hunger for 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           righteousness
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is to long that our lives reflect the mind and will of God. There’s an inner longing for heaven where righteousness and justice will prevail.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (5:7). Mercy embraces forgiveness for the guilty, and also compassion for the suffering and needy. The promise isn’t mercy from others but significantly from God himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (5:8). Throughout the Bible the heart is the center of our being – of who we are. Purity in heart is indispensable for our relationship with God, or to use Jesus’ words, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           for seeing God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Purity of heart isn’t outward conformity to rules. Rather, our heart, our thoughts and attitudes need to be pure. ‘What do you think about when your mind slips into neutral?’ Jesus asks. ‘What dominates your private thoughts? Do you let your mind linger on sights that have tempted you? Is the real inner you expressed in your outward words and actions?’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 24 asks, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Who shall ascend unto the hill of the Lord? They who have clean hands and a pure heart,…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           and in The Letter to the Hebrews we read, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Make every effort… to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Hebrews 12:14).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The pure in heart are blessed in that they will see God. While this will be especially true in the new heaven and the new earth, it’s also true now. Our perception of God and his ways, even our fellowship with him, depends on the purity of our heart.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed are the peacemakers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jesus says (5:9). Jesus isn’t talking about those who yearn for peace, but all who work at 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           making peace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Jesus is the greatest peacemaker ever – through his cross, making peace between us and God by removing the stain of sin that separates us. His death also makes peace possible amongst all men and women.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus isn’t only speaking about 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            peacemaking. He is also saying that his followers are to be peacemakers, seeking solutions to ease tensions, to reduce conflict, and to ensure that people understand one another. This isn’t easy, especially when we personally have been hurt by others. It’s very easy to forget that ‘a soft answer turns away wrath’, and that we shouldn’t allow ‘the sun to go down on our anger’ (Ephesians 4:26). To be a peacemaker means that we don’t bear grudges or nurse our anger.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (5:10-12). Jesus here restricts the blessing to all who suffer persecution because of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           righteousness
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            — people who are determined to live as Jesus lived. Persecution can take the form of physical hardship, torture, imprisonment, death. But there are more subtle forms: mocking and personal rejection. This beatitude is potentially the most searching, for if we never experience some kind of rejection for our faith in a fallen world, are we truly a follower of Jesus?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Who then are the truly 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           blessed
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ? Jesus expects our lives to change radically. Instead of self-sufficiency in our relationship with God, we need to understand our poverty. Instead of dismissing unbelievers, mourn for a world that ignores God. Instead of playing for power to achieve kingdom ends in a fallen world, walk the tougher path of humility and service. Hunger for truth and righteousness. Show mercy, pursue purity, and work for peace. Reckon on the reality that life won’t always be easy for God’s people. But, Jesus says, stay with me. It will be worth every bit of it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Lord, you have taught us that whatever we do without love is worth nothing. Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you: grant this, for the sake of your only Son, Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Almighty God, we thank you for the gift of your holy word. May it be a lantern to our feet, a light to our paths, and strength to our lives. Take us and use us to love and serve all people in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/the-kings-speech/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/the-kings-speech/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jan 2023 18:54:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-25-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 1-24-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-24-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-24-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Life and Liberty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h5&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h5&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Life” and “Liberty” are terms that have powerful and positive connotative value to us. We are “pro-life” and “pro-liberty.” Such emotionally-laden terms can be definitionally evasive, however, since they stir our passions as well as our reason. As we consider our expectations of the state and our role therein, it is important to be clear about our understanding of such terms.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Life” has both a political and a religious definition. In the political arena, “life” is biologically defined; the state defends “life” by protecting people from acts and policies that would injure or take away their lives, biologically considered. The state may wage defensive war, for instance, to defend its citizens’ lives. The state establishes police forces to “protect and serve” our physical well-being, and the state regulates pollutants that could poison the air we breathe. But religiously, “life” has a fuller meaning, such as Paul’s usage when he says that an individual can be dead even while he lives (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Tim.%205%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Tim. 5:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Jesus recognized this distinction between mere biological life and the truest religious life when He cited Moses: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%204%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 4:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Bread might very well sustain and promote our biological health, but our spiritual and religious life is sustained by the creative and redemptive word of God. No governmental power can promote or protect “life” in this full religious sense, since such life is the result of the Holy Spirit’s blessing on the means of grace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The civil magistrate, whom Paul called in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Romans%2013/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            a terror to evil conduct, was the Roman emperor, whose laws and definition of evil were informed neither by the laws of Moses, nor by the teachings of Christ. Evil, in such a context, was and is public evil—crimes against others or their property. It was not “evil” in its full-blown ethical-religious sense, which would include unbelief, idolatry, blasphemy, covetousness, and so on. The Roman emperor showed no concerns for these realities, yet Paul still considered him “God’s servant for your good” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%2013%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 13:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The state defends “life” by protecting people from acts and policies that would take away their lives, biologically considered. In the civil arena, then, we expect the government to promote and protect biological life and to permit (but not necessarily to promote) spiritual life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Liberty,” similarly, has both a political and a religious definition. Religiously speaking, the truest liberty is freedom from sin, and such freedom can even be described, paradoxically, as its own kind of slavery: “For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%206%3A19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 6:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Political freedom, on the other hand, is freedom to be fully human, to be fully responsible for oneself, and therefore to follow one’s conscience without interruption by the state, until or unless the exercise of one’s liberty injures the person, liberty, or property of others.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Political liberty, in other words, includes the political “right” to sin, provided that one’s sin does not harm others. My Baptist friends may consider it sinful, for instance, for me to baptize infants; politically, however, I am free, as a minister, to conduct the rite of baptism in a manner that conforms to my own conscientious study about the matter. It does no political harm to the child or the child’s parents; baptism does not injure anyone’s health, property, or liberty. I defend the political right of my Baptist brothers to conduct the rite as their consciences dictate, and they extend the same political liberty to me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We do not promote liberty because everyone will exercise it well or wisely, nor as an end in itself. In Christian theology, liberty is promoted as a means to an end: works of obedience offered to God sincerely. No religious act that is done out of mere coercion pleases God; God wishes our obedience to be offered to Him freely, from hearts moved by His remarkable grace: “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Tim.%201%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Tim. 1:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Paul was concerned that love come from right motives, that it be sincere and conscientious. Even when he dealt with the very real and practical issue of famine relief in the churches, he remained as concerned for the motivation as for the act itself: “Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor.%209%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 9:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). If the giving is not “cheerful,” God does not love it. Christians, therefore, ought to be the most vocal defenders of political liberty, because such liberty is so consistent with our concern for religious sincerity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Life is the result of the Holy Spirit’s blessing on the means of grace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We also promote liberty because of its cultural advantages. Every culture wishes to benefit from the talents, insights, and other contributions of the largest number of individuals. If we create a political climate that suppresses their gifts and contributions, then they either do not make them at all, or they make them elsewhere. Marie Curie was not permitted to pursue her interests in radioactivity in her native Poland, so she moved to Paris to conduct her important work there. Mstislav Rostropovich spent much of his cello career in exile from his native Russia, only returning in his latter years after the fall of the Soviet Union. Albert Einstein departed his native Germany in 1932 to continue his work in the United States. In a free culture, these individuals would not have needed to leave their native homes. In each of their respective cases, their native countries forfeited their contributions. Virginia Presbyterians understood this matter in the late eighteenth century, when, on October 24, 1776, Hanover Presbytery petitioned the Virginia Legislature for religious liberty, arguing in part: “We beg leave farther to represent that religious establishments are highly injurious to the temporal interests of a community . . . such establishments greatly retard population, and consequently the progress of arts, sciences, and manufactories . . . ”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles#fn1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Liberty and the So-called “Culture War”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There need be no “culture war.” Secular and religious forces have labored together since John Witherspoon and Thomas Jefferson collaborated in the founding of our Republic. The honest difference between a secular and a religious point of view need not be either a contest or a “war.” Unlike the theocracies of Islam or the Christian Middle Ages, and unlike the state-enforced secularism of contemporary republics such as France (where Muslims are not permitted to wear the hijab to school), our Republic chose a middle ground. In our Republic, religion is permitted and protected by the government (unlike secularist France), but not promoted by the government (unlike Islam or medieval Catholicism).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What’s in a Word?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In warfare, things that would be intolerable in civil society are tolerated, such as killing other human beings, an act that would ordinarily be deemed somewhat uncivil. The language of “war,” therefore, tends towards total war and a lack of restraint. If a person becomes persuaded, whether by a secular or a religious fear-mongerer, that “our very civilization is at stake,” then all ordinary restraints and civilities are easily put aside for the sake of the great cause of winning the war and preserving the civilization. Ironically, civility is then sacrificed to civilization.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why We Cannot (and Should Not) Win a Culture War
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christians cannot win a culture war for two reasons: First, if we gained a majority and imposed our will on others by means of the coercive power of the sword, we would not have won; we would have lost. We would have lost the remote possibility that others would offer obedience to God sincerely from the heart. If an individual behaves externally according to certain Christian principles only to evade going to jail or being fined, he has not been “converted.” He is still lost, still estranged from God, and the culture has been lost with him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Second, by embracing coercion as our tool of influence, we reject the two tools by which progress might genuinely be made: moral suasion and example (“that they may see your good works . . . ”). That is, we only resort to coercion when we have already failed by moral suasion and example. When we embrace coercion, we embrace the very tool the Apostles refused to employ (The weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor.%2010%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 10:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). We thereby concede not that we might lose the so-called culture war, but that we already have lost it. Far from converting others, they have converted us; they have converted us to using their totalitarianism, their coercion, and their disregard for conscientious faith or obedience.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ol&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             Cited in Appendix D of Charles F. James, Documentary History of the Struggle for Religious Liberty in Virginia. Lynchburg, VA: J.P. Bell Company, 1900
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles#fnref1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            ↩
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ol&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/life-and-liberty" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/life-and-liberty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 2023 16:51:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-24-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 1-23-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-23-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-23-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Brother in Heaven
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h5&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h5&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I have exalted one chosen from the people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2089:19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalms 89:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why was Christ chosen out of the people? Speak, my heart, for heart-thoughts are best. Was it not that He might be able to be our brother, in the blest tie of kindred blood? Oh, what relationship there is between Christ and the believer! The believer can say, “I have a Brother in heaven. I may be poor, but I have a Brother who is rich and is a King, and will He allow me to be in want while He is on His throne? Oh, no! He loves me; He is my Brother.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Believer, wear this blessed thought, like a necklace of diamonds, around the neck of your memory; put it, as a golden ring, on the finger of recollection, and use it as the King’s own seal, stamping the petitions of your faith with confidence of success. He is a brother born for adversity—treat Him as such.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ was also chosen out of the people that He might know our wants and sympathize with us. “Who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/HEB.4.15.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hebrews
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/HEB.4.15.ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           4:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). In all our sorrows we have His sympathy. Temptation, pain, disappointment, weakness, weariness, poverty—He knows them all, for He has felt all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remember this, Christian, and let it comfort you. However difficult and painful your road, it is marked by the footsteps of your Savior; and even when you reach the dark valley of the shadow of death and the deep waters of the swelling Jordan, you will find His footprints there. Wherever we go, in every place, He has been our forerunner; each burden we have to carry has once been laid on the shoulders of Immanuel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His way was much rougher and darker than mine.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Did Christ, my Lord, suffer, and shall I repine?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Take courage! Royal feet have left a blood-red track upon the road and consecrated the thorny path forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/01/23/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/01/23/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           devotionals
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/01/23/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           /spurgeon/01/23/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Jan 2023 12:57:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-23-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 1-20-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-20-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-20-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Foreshadowing of Christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Abel was a keeper of sheep.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Genesis%204:2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Genesis%204:2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           4:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As a shepherd, Abel sanctified his work to the glory of God and offered a sacrifice of blood upon his altar, and the Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering. This early type, a foreshadowing of our Lord, is exceedingly clear and distinct. Like the first streak of light that tinges the east at sunrise, it does not reveal everything, but it clearly manifests the great fact that the sun is coming. As we see Abel, a shepherd and yet a priest, offering a sacrifice of sweet fragrance unto God, we discern our Lord, who brings before His Father a sacrifice to which Jehovah ever has respect.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Abel was hated by his brother—hated without a cause; and even so was the Savior. The natural and carnal man hated the accepted man in whom the Spirit of grace was found, and did not rest until his blood had been shed. Abel fell and sprinkled his altar and sacrifice with his own blood, and therein sets forth the Lord Jesus slain by the enmity of man while serving as a priest before the Lord. "The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2010%3A11&amp;amp;version=ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 10:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let us weep over Him as we view Him slain by the hatred of mankind, staining the horns of His altar with His own blood. Abel's blood speaks. "And the LORD said, 'What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground.'" (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%204%3A10&amp;amp;version=ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen 4:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The blood of Jesus has a mighty tongue, and the import of its prevailing cry is not vengeance but mercy. It is precious beyond all preciousness to stand at the altar of our Good Shepherd—to see Him bleeding there as the slaughtered priest, and then to hear His blood speaking peace to all His flock—peace in our conscience, peace between Jew and Gentile, peace between man and his offended Maker, peace all down the ages of eternity for blood-washed men. Abel is the first shepherd in order of time, but our hearts shall ever place Jesus first in order of excellence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great Keeper of the sheep, we, the people of Your pasture, bless You with our whole hearts when we see You slain for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/01/20/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/01/20/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2023 13:41:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-20-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 1-19-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-19-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-19-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Spirit Never Stops Testifying to Christ: 1 John 5:5-12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through water, blood, and word, the Spirit never stops pointing us to Christ, and even more, giving us Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20John%205%3A5%E2%80%9312/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 5:5–12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I remember sitting in my grandpa’s study, going over our little catechism book, and studying the Apostle’s Creed. I was in middle school, and I spent many weekends in Grandpa’s basement study as he and I ate donuts and discussed the things of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There were a few Christian friends in my public school, and when we talked on occasion, they would often talk about the Spirit, and talk about all the things the Spirit did. Growing up in a small, casual, Lutheran church, I was beginning to wonder if there were things of God that were untapped. I wondered if there were things that God did for other people, that I could see him do. Most specifically, that third person of the Trinity that I knew so little about: the Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My grandpa talked about Jesus all the time: Jesus this and Jesus that. But what about the Spirit? I asked Grandpa all the questions about all the things I heard the Spirit could do. He listened, and answered my questions with the calm certainty of a pastor with decades of experience:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “One thing for certain, when you are trying to discern what the Spirit is doing,” he said, “The Spirit is always pointing us to Christ.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a paradox that frustrated me. I asked you about the Spirit, and now we’re back to Jesus again.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This frustrating truth I was taught back then has been sinking into me for almost 30 years, and with each year, I understand the truth of it better. The Spirit is always pointing us to Christ. When we read Scripture “by the Spirit,” the Spirit will help us see Christ in that passage. When I struggle with my faith, the Spirit points me to Christ, because the strength of our faith isn’t in our effort, but in the object of our faith, who is Christ himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20John%205%3A6-8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 5:6-8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Spirit is the one who testifies because the Spirit is truth. But according to this passage, the Spirit isn’t the only one who can’t seem to stop pointing us to Christ. God gives us three witnesses that testify.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Water
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Gospel of John, chapter 1, speaks of John the Baptist, who came to testify about Christ. He was sent ahead to do this. Then to his horror, Jesus asked John to baptize him. Apparently, his testimony wasn’t simply shouting to make way for the Messiah while living in the desert. He was also meant to baptize Jesus. This water would be a witness–like evidence with memory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “And John bore witness: I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%201%3A32-34/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 1:32-34
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Something as simple as water–a substance on earth that both gives and takes away life is the means by which God uses to save his people as they cross from death to life. In our baptism, we die to our sins and take on the perfection of Christ (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%206%3A4-7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 6:4-7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the moment of Jesus’ baptism, God is spoken of as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in an incredible picture of the Trinity. But Jesus’ baptism wasn’t done for the purpose of removing his sins – since Jesus had none – but instead sanctifies the waters of baptism for us. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is here that Jesus reveals himself to be fully God, with the full saving power of God. His baptism was a testimony of his divinity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Baptism testifies that on account of Christ, our sins are forgiven. It is a testimony or evidence of our salvation that God gives our anxious hearts. When our hearts put God on trial, asking him if he loves us, really died for us, and is really powerful enough to save us, baptism is one of the pieces of evidence he puts forth for us to hang onto.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blood
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As the water testifies that Jesus is God, the blood testifies to his humanity. Songwriter Andrew Peterson poetically writes of the resurrection:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “His heart beats
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His blood begins to flow,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           waking up what was dead a moment ago”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus really lived a human life. He really died and he really shed blood. This wasn’t just a spiritual exercise. The crucifixion wasn’t hypothetical.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the last supper, with Jesus and his disciples, Jesus “took the cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%2026%3A27-28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 26:27-28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The blood of communion testifies that on account of Christ, our sins are forgiven. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Spirit works through water and blood to point us to Christ and provide evidence of his work for us. But God also combines water and word with his effective Word, to not only testify to but also create faith in Christ. God’s words are never hollow. Just as in creation, when God says something, it is created. And so when God testifies, his word is also active. It takes action. He binds his word proclaiming our salvation with the mean of water and blood and therefore makes them active with the full force of his truth of salvation. He does not lie. His word is never hollow because what he says, is.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through water, blood, and word, the Spirit never stops pointing us to Christ, and even more, never stops giving us Christ. Because it is in Christ that we might have eternal life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles//the-spirit-never-stops-testifying-to-christ-1-john-55-12" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles//the-spirit-never-stops-testifying-to-christ-1-john-55-12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2023 12:56:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-19-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 1-18-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-18-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-18-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Expect the Unexpected...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heraclitus, the 6th century BC Greek philosopher observed, ‘Unless you expect the unexpected you will never find truth, for it is hard to discover and hard to attain’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come with me to Matthew chapter 4, verses 12 through 25. Matthew records that following the arrest of John the Baptist, Jesus began his public ministry in the region of Capernaum in Galilee – the land of Zebulun and Naphtali.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Back in the 8th century BC powerful Assyrian forces had gathered in that very region preparing to conquer the northern kingdom, Israel (720BC). Yet into that darkness Isaiah the prophet spoke of the day when a light would dawn on the northern horizon, and God would 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           honor Galilee of the Gentiles 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%209%3A1-2&amp;amp;version=ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 9:1-2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In chapter 4, Matthew tells us that Jesus began his public ministry in the north – not in the capital, Jerusalem. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            he said.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An Unexpected Message.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            The 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           kingdom of heaven
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is not a location but rather refers to God’s supreme rule. Jesus’ words 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           at hand
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            implied that with his presence this had taken on a new immediacy. His words would have awakened the hopes of God’s people who lived with the expectation of the coming of God’s king, the Messiah. Prophets such as Samuel, Isaiah and Ezekiel had spoken of such a time (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Samuel%207%3A11-13&amp;amp;version=ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Samuel 7: 11b-13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+7%3A14&amp;amp;version=ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 7:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+9%3A6-7&amp;amp;version=ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           9: 6-7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+11%3A1-5&amp;amp;version=ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           11:1-5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+34%3A23-24&amp;amp;version=ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ezekiel 34:23-24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Jesus’ call for repentance may well have come as a surprise, for the king was expected to bring in God’s reign of peace and prosperity. He would judge the nations: the time for repentance would be over. The work of the prophets, including John the Baptist, was to prepare the way for the king’s coming.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Jesus was still calling people to repent, suggesting that there were deeper truths he needed to address before he revealed himself in all his awesome glory, dominion and power.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The real issue Jesus sees with all of us is that we have a heart problem. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heart
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            in the Bible is not just the pump that sends the blood around our bodies, nor is it the seat of our emotions. It refers to the real us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let me ask, why do we hurt people we love? Why, in this technologically advanced world are there still divisions within nations and wars between nations? Why is there still so much injustice? It has to do with the desires of our hearts – in our relationships with one another, and especially in our relationship with God. When Jesus was once asked what is the greatest commandment, he responded, saying the first and greatest commandment is that we should love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+12%3A30&amp;amp;version=ESV" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 12:30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An Unexpected Call.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            It was the practice for good teachers or rabbis in Jesus’ day to have disciples with them. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Follow me
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jesus said to two fishermen, Peter and Andrew, who were brothers. It wasn’t a command but rather a call. They had choice: they could follow or remain where they were.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But notice Jesus wasn’t just calling them to be followers – to listen and to learn; he was also inviting them to join him in becoming 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           fishers of men and women
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The prophet Jeremiah had spoken of ‘fishing for men and women’, meaning catching men and women 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           for
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            judgement. But the mission Jesus was inviting Peter and Andrew to join him in, was 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           to rescue
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            men and women 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           from
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            judgement – an unexpected call.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two other fishermen, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also invited to join Jesus in this mission. All four immediately left their families and businesses and followed Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus wasn’t asking them 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           to sell up
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            their homes or businesses. But such was his impressive nature or his teaching that they were willing to leave their businesses in the hands of others and follow him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Unexpected Compassion
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . With deft brush strokes Matthew introduces us to the pattern of Jesus’ ministry – preaching the good news of the kingdom, as well as healing the sick, and exorcising the demon possessed, at a word and in a moment of time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today, the notion of miracles, especially those recorded in the New Testament, are dismissed because ‘we now know the laws of nature’. Against this Dr. John Lennox, Oxford Emeritus Professor of Mathematics and Philosophy responds: ‘The laws of nature that science observes are the observable regularities that God the creator has built into the universe. However, such ‘laws’ don’t prevent God from intervening if he chooses. When he does, we are able to identify the irregularity and speak of it as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           a miracle
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If Jesus is God’s unique Son – not just a man, but God in the flesh – if he speaks and acts with the authority and power of God, it is quite consistent for him to be able to perform what we call ‘miraculous’ feats. Indeed, if the Bible is authentic – and it claims to be so – we should expect the unexpected.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, we shouldn’t be surprised that Jesus wielded such extraordinary power that crowds came in droves from near and far – even from far away Jerusalem.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But there is another layer to Jesus’ acts of intervention: they were temporary. People were only restored for a time; they would still all experience death. Wouldn’t the Messiah conquer even death itself?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here was another potential 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           unexpected twist
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Jesus presents us with so much expectation and hope, but he also leaves many questions unanswered.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Three unexpected themes: Jesus commands us to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           repent,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            for God’s rule has taken on a new dimension; we need to sort out our relationship with him while we have time. He calls us to follow him and play our part as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           fishers of men
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           and women
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : helping others to find the truth. Jesus cares for us at all times, intervening in our lives for our good, giving us a taste of the perfection and joy to come.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What will you do with Jesus?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            He is both extra-ordinary but very ordinary. He does the expected but constantly says and does the unexpected. But shouldn’t we expect this?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            . Lord God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: mercifully accept our prayers, and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do nothing good without you, grant us the help of your grace, so that in keeping your commands we may please you both in will and deed, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/expect-the-unexpected-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/expect-the-
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/expect-the-unexpected-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           unexpected
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/expect-the-unexpected-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           -2/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2023 22:20:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-18-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 1-17-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-17-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-17-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Responding to God's call
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2+Corinthians+10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2+Corinthians+10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2+Corinthians+10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           :15-16 (ESV)
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We live in daily submission to a host of authorities who circumscribe our freedom: from parents to traffic police officers to dog catchers. All authorities are to be respected and, as the Bible declares, honored. But only one authority has the intrinsic right to bind the conscience. God alone imposes absolute obligation, and He does it by the power of His holy voice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He calls the world into existence by divine imperative, by holy fiat. He calls the dead and rotting Lazarus to life again. He calls people who were no people “My people.” He calls us out of darkness and into light. He effectually calls us to redemption. He calls us to service.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our vocation is so named because of its Latin root vocatio, “a calling.” The term vocational choice is a contradiction in terms to the Christian. To be sure, we do choose it and can, in fact, choose to disobey it. But prior to the choice and hovering with absolute power over it is the divine summons, the imposition to duty from which we dare not flee.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was vocation that drove Jonah on his flight to Tarshish and caused his terrified shipmates to dump him in the sea to still the vengeful tempest. It was vocation that elicited the anguished cry from Paul, “Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%209%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 9:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It was vocation that put a heinous cup of bitterness in the hands of Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The call of God is not always to a glamorous vocation, and its fruit in this world is often bittersweet. Yet God calls us according to our gifts and talents, and directs us to paths of the most useful service to His kingdom. How impoverished we would be if Jonah had made it to Tarshish, if Paul had refused to preach, if Jeremiah really had turned in his prophet’s card, or if Jesus had politely declined the cup.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/responding-gods-call" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/responding-gods-call
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2023 15:13:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-17-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Devotional 1-16-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-16-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-16-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    
          What! Not Help You?
         &#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Isaiah%2041:14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 41:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This morning let us hear the Lord Jesus speak to each one of us: "I will help you."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "It is but a small thing for Me, your God, to help you. Consider what I have done already. What! Not help you? Why, I bought you with My blood. What! Not help you? I have died for you; and if I have done the greater, will I not do the less? Help you! It is the least thing I will ever do for you; I have done more, and will do more. Before the world began I chose you. I made the covenant for you. I laid aside My glory and became a man for you; I gave up My life for you; and if I did all this, I will surely help you now. In helping you, I am giving you what I have bought for you already. If you had need of a thousand times as much help, I would give it to you; you require little compared with what I am ready to give. It is much for you to need, but it is nothing for me to bestow. Help you? Fear not! If there were an ant at the door of your granary asking for help, it would not ruin you to give him a handful of your wheat; and you are nothing but a tiny insect at the door of My all-sufficiency. I will help you."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           O my soul, is this not enough? Do you need more strength than the omnipotence of the united Trinity? Do you want more wisdom than exists in the Father, more love than displays itself in the Son, or more power than is manifest in the influences of the Spirit? Bring here your empty pitcher! Surely this well will fill it. Hurry, gather up your wants, and bring them here--your emptiness, your woes, your needs. Behold, this river of God is full for your supply; what else can you desire? Go forth, my soul, in this your might. The Eternal God is your helper!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fear not, I am with you, oh, be not dismay'd!
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           I, I am your God, and will still give you aid.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 16 Jan 2023 14:04:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/devotional-1-16-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-13-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-13-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-13-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lessons in Defeat
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they did not go, for the ships were wrecked at Ezion-Geber.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/1%20Kings%2022:48/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/1%20Kings%2022:48/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kings
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/1%20Kings%2022:48/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           22:48
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Solomon's ships had returned in safety, but Jehoshaphat's vessels never reached the land of gold. Providence prospers one and frustrates the desires of another, in the same business and at the same spot; yet the Great Ruler is as good and wise at one time as another. May we have grace today, in the remembrance of this text, to bless the Lord for ships broken at Ezion-geber as well as for vessels filled with temporal blessings; let us not envy the more successful, nor murmur at our losses as though we were singularly and specially tried. Like Jehoshaphat, we may be precious in the Lord's sight, although our schemes end in disappointment.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The secret cause of Jehoshaphat's loss is well worthy of notice, for it is the root of very much of the suffering of the Lord's people; it was his alliance with a sinful family, his fellowship with sinners. In 2 Chronicles 20:37 we are told that the Lord sent a prophet to declare, "Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy what you have made." This was a fatherly chastisement, which appears to have been considered blessed to him; for in the verse which succeeds our morning's text we find him refusing to allow his servants to sail in the same vessels with those of the wicked king.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Would to God that Jehoshaphat's experience might be a warning to the rest of the Lord's people, to avoid being unequally yoked together with unbelievers! A life of misery is usually the lot of those who are united in marriage, or in any other way of their own choosing, with the men of the world. O for such love to Jesus that, like Him, we may be holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners; for if that is not the case with us, we may expect to hear it often said, "The Lord will destroy what you have made."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
              
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 2023 12:59:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-13-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-12-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-12-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-12-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What can wash away my sin?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Repentance is meaningless unless we are willing to acknowledge who we are: sinners needing mercy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Perhaps only rivaled by 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Psalm%2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Psalm%2051/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 51
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            has endured as one of the most recognizable psalms in the entire Bible. This is surprising, I think, considering the circumstances in which that psalm was written. Most, if not all, Bible include the prefix, “A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him after he had gone in to Bathsheba,” or something similar. Such prefatory notes aren’t inspired, so they’re not necessarily authoritative. But, even still, there exists little to no debate about this psalm and its obscene background. What’s recorded for us are the gut-wrenching words of King David after he had been thoroughly humiliated by the prophet Nathan. This encounter, you recall, comes on the heels of David’s deplorable actions against Bathsheba and her husband, Uriah. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1. Dark days in God’s domain
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The events of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Samuel%2011/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Samuel 11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 12 comprise one of the most uncomfortable texts in the biblical canon, bringing us through, in painstaking detail, one of the darkest and most painful events in all of Israel’s history. In short, King David is not where he should be. While his men are on the battlefield, he lingers behind in Jerusalem and succumbs to the temptation to take what is not his (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Sam.%2011%3A1%E2%80%934/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Sam. 11:1–4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He demands that Bathsheba be brought to his bed-chamber, where he has his way with her. But, as it turns out, she gets pregnant, which immediately prompts David to begin covering his tracks. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Every scheme David tries falls short, resulting in a panicked albeit meditated decision to have Bathsheba’s husband positioned on the battlefield where his death is all but guaranteed (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Sam.%2011%3A14%E2%80%9317/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Sam. 11:14–17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This strategy works, much to the king’s relief, leading David to take Bathsheba as one of his wives (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Sam.%2011%3A26%E2%80%9327/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Sam. 11:26–27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Afterward, life just went on in the kingdom. There are, perhaps, whispers and rumors circulating throughout the palace about how fast the king’s newest wife bore him a son. But those rumors are quickly dismissed or explained away as idle gossip. And while life moved on, David’s soul did not. He is at war with himself as he tries to repress all the guilt incessantly bubbling at the surface. In another psalm that’s connected with this scene, David recalls, “For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2032%3A3%E2%80%934/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 32:3–4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is when the Lord sends the prophet Nathan to meet with David, where he proceeds to relay a most revealing parable: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, ‘There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds, but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.’ Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, ‘As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.’ Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man!’” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Sam.%2012%3A1%E2%80%937/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Sam. 12:1–7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David should have directed his thirst for justice at himself. He is the man who deserved to be tarred and feathered. He took what was not his, even though he had been given everything (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Sam.%2012%3A7%E2%80%9312/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Sam. 12:7–12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And with that, David is sufficiently defeated, utterly bested by the word of the Lord, which sounded through Nathan. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s hard to fathom just how dejected David felt, but we get a glimpse of it in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Psalm%2051/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 51
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            as he is brought face-to-face with his sin. This psalm, then, amounts to David’s guttural prayer of repentance. With these words, Israel’s humiliated king lays bare his darkest iniquities and deepest insecurities. He holds nothing back, as all his wickedness is brazenly exposed in the light of the Lord’s holiness. After all, what would it profit to hide anything from him who sees everything? (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2016%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 16:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And so it is that David desperately prays to make things right to the only One who can make things right. Accordingly, what does his prayer of repentance look and sound like?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2. The humility of sin’s acknowledgment
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “For I know my transgressions,” David bellows, “and my sin is ever before me” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2051%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 51:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Here, he acknowledges what he had done. To be sure, he didn’t have to be “reminded.” It’s not as though he had forgotten about what cruelty his hands had dished out. But Nathan’s prophetic rebuke effectively cornered. “You are the man!” sounded the verdict. With those words, David’s act of put-together-ness is put to an end. The jig is up. No more pretense, no more masks, no more faking it. He is a sinner. There was no getting around that. From the moment he was conceived in his mother’s belly, he was a sinner. “Behold,” he confesses, “I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2051%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 51:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). By this acknowledgment, he wasn’t attempting to “excuse” his actions. Rather, he recognizes the depth of his condition.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Repentance is meaningless unless we are willing to acknowledge who we are: sinners needing mercy. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David’s entire being was woven with sin. He had blatantly broken the law of God, and man, which meant he, by every available measure, was condemned. Part of repentance is coming to the unavoidable conclusion that you have a problem that you can’t remedy. No one who has ever made it through Alcoholics Anonymous has ever made it through without first admitting that they are an alcoholic. In fact, that’s step one of the infamous twelve steps. “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.” Similarly, until we acknowledge that we are sinners and that our sin is entirely unmanageable in and of ourselves, there is nothing to be saved from. Repentance is meaningless unless we are willing to acknowledge who we are:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           sinners needing mercy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “If we confess our sins,” St. John says, “he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20John%201%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 1:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). God’s Word promises — dare-I-say, guarantees — cleansing and forgiveness from sin. But it is predicated on you and I confessing that we have sins that need to be cleansed and forgiven in the first place. The degree to which we downplay our sin is the degree to which we will diminish the power of God’s forgiving grace. “If you get your own sin wrong, you get grace wrong too,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sinner-Saint-Devotional-Days-Psalms/dp/1945978759" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           writes Steven Paulson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (86). “The penitent knowledge of our sin,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Expositions-Holy-Scriptures-17-Set/dp/0801059674" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alexander Maclaren asserts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “is the first step towards the triumphant knowledge of Christ’s righteousness as ours” (6:1.326). Such is the ministry of the Holy Spirit, as he brings our sins and transgressions ever before our eyes, tilling the ground of our soul in preparation for the merciful work of the Father’s restoration. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3. The horror of sin’s magnitude
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David, though, not only acknowledges his sin — but (also) pinpoints who he ultimately offended. “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,” he groans, “so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2051%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 51:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This confession corresponds with what the king divulges in the aftermath of the prophet’s story (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Sam.%2012%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Sam. 12:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And, in some ways, it might strike us odd to hear that this infraction is against “God alone.” What about Bathsheba? What about Uriah? Aren’t they the real victims here? Where’s their justice? When David prays these words, he isn’t looking to avoid any sort of “earthy reconciliation,” as if restitution for those parties is of no consequence. It’s very apparent that David had victimized both Bathsheba and Uriah in his quest to take for his own what did not belong to him. But the point is, in so doing, he had also copied what Adam and Eve did long ago in the Garden.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Perhaps we don’t think of it in those terms, but every time we sin, we are repeating the “lie of the Garden.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When Adam and Eve ate of the fruit in Eden, their sin was not merely a “bad choice.” Their sin was in the class of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.graceupongrace.net/p/the-seriousness-of-sin-and-our-cosmic" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           heavenly insurrection
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . The serpent’s deception was, “Eat of this fruit, and you will be like God.” And ever since, humanity has been duped into thinking that they can be their own God. That they can make their own happiness, find their own fulfillment, manufacture their own meaning, and produce their own pleasure, even at the expense of others. The root of all sin is man thinking that he can be God. By taking Bathsheba for himself and by taking Uriah’s life in the process, that’s exactly what David did. And we do the same thing when we sin, too. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Perhaps we don’t think of it in those terms, but every time we sin, we are repeating the “lie of the Garden.” When we take what is not ours, when we put our needs before the needs of others, when we say things without considering others, and when we put ourselves in the center of everything we do, think, and say, we are carrying on the legacy that we can be like God. And, in so doing, we’re not only hurting those around us, we are revolting against God himself. This, to be sure, amplifies the magnitude of our sin. But, by the same token, it magnifies what God has done through his Son Jesus to absolve our sin. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           4. The hope of sin’s absolution
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In acknowledging his sin, and its scope, David is brought to the realization of exactly what he needs. “Have mercy on me, O God,” he cries, “according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2051%3A1%E2%80%932/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 51:1–2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He is desperate to be clean again, to be made whole, to have the offense of his sin completely “blotted out” and his tainted record wiped clean. He cannot bear to live one more moment with the stain of his sin still on him. But, as we’ve already seen, he can do nothing about that on his own. This leads him to pray to the only One who can “wash him thoroughly” and make him clean.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Purge me with hyssop,” he prays, “and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2051%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 51:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This cleansing process would not be easy. This wouldn’t be a “walk in the park,” and David knew that. His prayer, here, is not a plea for the “easy way out.” Rather, it’s a prayer of resignation to the process of being “washed by treading,” a process implied in both verses 2 and 7, alluding to the way in which clothing was cleaned in ancient times. A 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.worldhistory.org/article/46/the-fullers-of-ancient-rome/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           biblical laundromat
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            often consisted of a large vat where a “fuller,” or launderer, would stomp on the clothes repeatedly, mimicking what a modern-day washing machine does. The only difference, though, was instead of detergent, they would often use urine for its natural bleaching qualities. “Do the same to me,” David says, in effect. “Wring out all the sin in me, like a ruddy old garment.” And that’s exactly what the Lord does. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He cleanses him, makes him whole, makes him new, and uses him for his glorious purposes. Such is the wondrous news of God’s absolution, which allowed for David to still be known as “a man after God’s own heart” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Acts%2013%3A22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 13:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Even after this shocking and scandalous series of events, David is still part of the line through which the Messiah would come. No matter how dirty you are, ours is a God who specializes in cleaning us up.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            When the Lord’s through with you, you’re not only clean, you’re whiter than snow. And to do this, he doesn’t use bleach, he uses his own blood
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jehovah, you see, is the ultimate “fuller,” the only One who is able to get your filthy, sin-stained life thoroughly clean (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Mal.%203%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mal. 3:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). In fact,when the Lord’s through with you, you’re not only clean, you’re whiter than snow (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2051%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 51:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; cf. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Isa.%201%3A18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 1:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And to do this, he doesn’t use bleach, he uses his own blood. The hope of God’s absolution is the promise that every blight and every blemish will be washed away in a sin-cleansing stream that flows from the Son’s wounds. Christ has taken all of our blights and blemishes on himself, on the cross, drowning every one of them in his death-defeating death.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may feel as though your past is unforgivable, as though you are too far gone, as though your life is so deeply stained that no amount of detergent could ever make you clean. But to such comes the good news. There is One who can make you clean, who can absolve every single one of your sins. All that’s left for you to do is repent and be baptized in the reservoir of Christ’s forgiveness (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Acts%202%3A38%3B%203%3A19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 2:38; 3:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). “The revelation of God’s love precedes and causes true penitence,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Psalms/rbBJAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&amp;amp;gbpv=0" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           observes Alexander Maclaren
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . “Our prayer for forgiveness is the appropriation of God’s promise of forgiveness” (128). The assurance of God’s forgiveness is the grounds upon which we acknowledge our sin. Repentance isn’t the key to unlocking God’s forgiving heart. Rather, it’s the response to the good news of God’s forgiving heart being perfectly demonstrated in his Son’s death. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The love of God in Christ, which has been there from before the foundations of the world, announces that sinners don’t have to (nor can they) bribe their way back into God’s favor through petitions and prayers, and tears. We can’t buy his kindness through sufficient repenting. Indeed, our “very prayers need an atonement,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=i6lGAAAAIAAJ" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           writes Abraham Booth
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , and our “tears want washing” (90). Repentance is an invitation to acknowledge what God already knows about you, enveloping us in a loving-kindness that’s been there from the start (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%202%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 2:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). What awaits us in the gospel, therefore, is not just cleanliness but righteousness. “The pure driven snow,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sinner-Saint-Devotional-Days-Psalms/dp/1945978759" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dan Price says
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “has nothing on the imputed righteousness of Christ” (54). Those who readily admit to their faults and failures are those whom God welcomes to fall on him and find forgiveness with him. Indeed, when we all get to heaven, we’ll still be singing the praises of the God who has absolved us according to his blood-red righteousness (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rev.%207%3A13%E2%80%9314/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. 7:13–14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Perhaps our refrain will be something like this:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What can wash away my sin?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           What can make me whole again?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Oh! precious is the flow
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           That makes me white as snow;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           No other fount I know,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Robert Lowry, 1876)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/what-can-wash-away-my-sin" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/what-can-wash-away-my-sin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2023 12:31:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-12-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-11-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-11-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-11-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Compassion..."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Predictions about the global economic outlook for the new year are not encouraging. Nor is the news of the ongoing aggression by Russia in Ukraine. Given the rise of powerful despots and divisions within western democracies, is there anything that we can do?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two and a half millennia ago the Jewish people were in exile. In 586 BC Babylonian forces had rampaged through Judah, conquering Jerusalem, razing its walls and its temple to the ground. Political obliteration seemed inevitable as the cream of the population was taken to Babylon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet the extraordinary thing was this: Judah’s morale was not destroyed. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There was a glimmer of hope on the horizon. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah, one of the prophets who had spoken of God’s impending judgment on the nation, had also sounded a voice of hope.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Comfort, comfort, my people,”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Isaiah chapter 40 begins and in the following chapters the prophet speaks of a ‘Servant’ whom God would raise up to rescue and restore his people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah tells us that God’s plan involved Cyrus, an insignificant prince from the north of Babylon. Despite humble beginnings Cyrus rose to defeat the Babylonian forces and paved the way for the Persian Empire under Darius. With his rise to power Cyrus had the authority in 520BC to decree the release of the Jewish exiles, permitting their return to Jerusalem and the restoration of their city – a miraculous event. Isaiah speaks of Cyrus as God’s anointed (45:1).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But as we read on, we learn from 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah chapter 49
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            that 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God had greater plans for his Servant.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            In verse 1 we read God’s words:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s people were crying out for rescue, but this Servant doesn’t speak directly to them. Rather he speaks to the world at large, the islands and distant nations. The mission of this Servant is not just to God’s people, but also to the nations. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His vision is global.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yes, his work would involve the restoration of Judah, for in verse 5 we read: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength—
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But there is something more. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A needy world is waiting to hear the truth about God:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (Isaiah 49:6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In fulfillment of his promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:3b), God’s plan is to extend his salvation to the nations. And, while verse 7 says that God’s Servant will suffer at the hands of the nations, a day would arrive when they – and even their leaders – would come to him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Centuries before Jesus’ birth
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Isaiah was opening a window on elements that would characterize his life. Wise men did come from the East to pay him homage at his birth. People from around the world have been coming to him ever since.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we look back on Isaiah’s words through the lens of the New Testament we see that he was right. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s king has now come
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . In his words and his actions Jesus revealed that he is God in the flesh. He not only taught with great authority but he also revealed God’s compassion for a needy world – feeding the hungry and healing the sick, overcoming the powers of evil and even raising the dead. But most of all, he dealt with our greatest need – our selfish, broken relationship with our Maker. Once and for all, at great cost to himself, he offered himself to die the death we deserve.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As yet, most people don’t know about Jesus, let alone acknowledge him as Lord. Many who do know about him may agree that in Jesus we have the greatest moral teacher who has ever lived. To follow his teachings, the world would certainly enjoy peace: nowhere did he ever encourage violence or evil. In fact, even when he was betrayed in a most ugly way, he told one of his followers to put away his sword. Jesus taught and exemplified truth and love, compassion and peace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Getty Music 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Compassion Hymn
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            sets out the theme of God’s love and compassion and his commitment to rescue the lost:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is an everlasting kindness You lavished on us when the Radiance of heaven came to rescue the lost; You called the sheep without a shepherd to leave their distress for Your streams of forgiveness and the shade of Your rest… / How beautiful the feet that carry this gospel of peace to the fields of injustice and the valleys of need – to be a voice of hope and healing, to answer the cries of the hungry and helpless with the mercy of Christ / What boundless love, what fathomless grace You have shown us, O God of compassion! Each day we live, an offering of praise as we show the world Your compassion.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 17th century philosopher and mathematician, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blaise Pascal observed:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            ‘Humanity despises religion. They hate it and are afraid it may be true. The cure for this is just to show that religion is not contrary to reason, but worthy of reverence and respect. Next make it attractive, make good men and women wish it were true, and then show them that it is’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Will you join me in praying for God’s grace to let the light of his love and truth shine 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           in our lives? Will you join me in praying that the Lord will open our eyes and give us the words to say to family and friends so that they too will come to learn of God’s goodness and compassion through reading one of the Gospels? John’s Gospel using TheWord121 (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.theword121.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           www.theword121.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) is a good place to start.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Almighty and everlasting God, ruler of all things in heaven and on earth, hear with mercy the prayers and petitions of your people, and so grant us your peace all the days of our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           © John G. Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/compassion/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/compassion/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jan 2023 14:23:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-11-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-10-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-10-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-10-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is the church?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul gives great attention to ecclesiology, the doctrine of the church, in his letter to the Ephesians. In fact, we could say Ephesians answers this question: What is the church? In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ephesians%202%3A19%E2%80%9322/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians 2:19–22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , the chief metaphor Paul uses is that of a building—the household of God. Christians are part of the household in the sense that they have been adopted into the family of God, which is another image that Scripture uses to describe the church. But here the accent is not so much on the family of the household as it is on the house of the household: “[We] are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%202%3A19%E2%80%9320a/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 2:19–20a
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul says the foundation of this building called the church is made up of the prophets and the Apostles, that is, the Old Testament prophets and New Testament Apostles. Why? It’s because the prophets and Apostles are the agents of revelation by whom God speaks to His people. They delivered the Word of God. Another way of saying this is that the foundation of the church is the Word of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That’s why we must pay close attention to our doctrine of Scripture. The attacks launched against the integrity, authority, sufficiency, and trustworthiness of Scripture are attacks not upon a side alcove of this building. They don’t put a dent in the roof of the church. They’re attacks on the church’s very foundation. To have a church without Apostolic authority, without the Word of God as its foundation, is to build a church on sand rather than on rock. The foundation of the prophets and the Apostles is necessary for the entire edifice of the church to stand securely.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul continues the building metaphor in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ephesians%202%3A20b/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians 2:20b
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : “Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone.” Christ is the cornerstone, the point that holds the foundation together. Take out the cornerstone, and everything falls apart. “In [Christ] the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%202%3A21%E2%80%9322/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 2:21–22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The church is a new temple built in Christ, by Christ, and for Christ. Obviously, Paul isn’t saying the church is a building made out of mortar and brick, but that we are the stones, the living stones, as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Peter%202%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Peter 2:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            tells us. Each believer is part of this church just as each stone is part of a building. The church, the new temple, is still under construction. Every day, new stones are added. This new temple will not be finished until Jesus returns to consummate His kingdom. Christ is still building His church, not by adding cement but by adding people who are the stones that hold together in Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul continues in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ephesians%203%3A14%E2%80%9319/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians 3:14–19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Apostle Paul explains the doctrine of the church so that we might understand what God has done and so that we may understand who we are. And in calling us to understand who we are and what we’re called to do, Paul says that we're the church. We’re the church that God ordained from the foundation of the world. We’re His people; we‘re His household, so let the church be the church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ is the cornerstone, the point that holds the foundation together.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We’re living in a time of crisis. Many Christians are decrying the decadence of American culture and complaining about the government and its value system. I understand that, but if we want to be concerned for our nation and culture, our priority must be the renewal of the church. We are the light of the world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Government merely reflects and echoes the customs embraced by the people in a given generation. In a real sense, our government is exactly what we want it to be, or it wouldn’t be there. Change in culture doesn’t always come from the top down. It often comes from the bottom up. The change we need to work for, chiefly, is renewal within the church. As the church becomes the fellowship of citizens of heaven who manifest what it means to be the household of Christ, and when the church walks according to the power of the Holy Spirit—then the people of God will shine as the light of the world. When people see that light, they will give glory to God (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%205%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 5:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This will change the world. But Paul says, first of all, let the church be the church. We must remember who we are, who the foundation is, who the cornerstone is, who the head of our building is, who the Lord of the church is.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do we love the church? I doubt if there have been many times in our history when there has been as much anger, hostility, disappointment, and disillusionment with the institutional church as there is today. It’s hard not to be critical of the church because in many ways the church has failed us. But if the church has failed, that means we have failed. We are called to serve the church in the power of God the Holy Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We, the church, have been made for this task by the indwelling presence and power of God’s Spirit. Yet, we are called not so much to rise up but to bow down. And if we bow down to our Lord, as Paul says in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ephesians%203%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians 3:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , the church will be the church, and our light will pierce the darkness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-church" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2023 12:51:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-10-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-9-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-9-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-9-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are you satisfied?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I will be their God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Jeremiah%2031:33/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeremiah 31:33
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christian, here is all you require. To make you happy you want something that shall satisfy you, and is not this enough? If you can pour this promise into your cup, will you not say, with David, "My cup overflows."1 When this is fulfilled, "I am your God," are you not possessor of all things? Desire is insatiable as death, but He who fills all in all can fill it. The capacity of our wishes who can measure? But the immeasurable wealth of God can more than overflow it. I ask you if you are not complete when God is yours? Do you want anything but God? Is not His all-sufficiency enough to satisfy you if all else should fail? But you want more than quiet satisfaction; you desire rapturous delight.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come, soul, here is music fit for heaven in this your portion, for God is the Maker of heaven. Not all the music blown from sweet instruments or drawn from living strings can yield such melody as this sweet promise, "I will be their God." Here is a deep sea of bliss, a shoreless ocean of delight; come, bathe your spirit in it; swim an age, and you shall find no shore; dive throughout eternity, and you shall find no bottom. "I will be their God." If this does not make your eyes sparkle, and your heart beat fast with bliss, then assuredly your soul is not in a healthy state.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But you want more than present delights--you crave something concerning which you may exercise hope; and what more can you hope for than the fulfillment of this great promise, "I will be their God"? This is the masterpiece of all the promises; its enjoyment makes a heaven below and will make a heaven above. Dwell in the light of your Lord, and let your soul be always ravished with His love. Get out the marrow and fatness that this portion yields you. Live up to your privileges, and rejoice with unspeakable joy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Psalm 23:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/01/09/2023/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/01/09/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 2023 16:17:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-9-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-6-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-6-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-6-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Say Goodbye to Anxiety
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/1%20Peter%205:7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Peter 5:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is a happy way of soothing sorrow when we can feel, "He cares for me." Christian, do not dishonor religion by always wearing a brow of care; come, cast your burden upon your Lord. You are staggering beneath a weight that your Father would not feel. What seems to you a crushing burden would be to Him but as the small dust of the balance. Nothing is so sweet as to
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lie passive in God's hands,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And know no will but His.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           O child of suffering, be patient; God has not passed you over in His providence. He who is the feeder of sparrows will also furnish you with what you need. Do not sit in despair; hope on, hope ever. Take up the arms of faith against a sea of trouble, and your opposition shall yet end your distresses. There is One who cares for you. His eye is fixed on you, His heart beats with pity for your woe, and His omnipotent hand shall bring you the needed help. The darkest cloud shall scatter itself in showers of mercy. The blackest gloom shall give place to the morning. He, if you are one of His family, will bind up your wounds and heal your broken heart. Do not doubt His grace because of your tribulation, but believe that He loves you as much in seasons of trouble as in times of happiness. What a serene and quiet life might you lead if you would leave providing to the God of providence!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With a little oil in the cruse and a handful of meal in the barrel, Elijah outlived the famine, and you will do the same. If God cares for you, why do you need to care too? Can you trust Him for your soul and not for your body? He has never refused to bear your burdens; He has never fainted under their weight. Come, then, soul! Say good-bye to anxiety and leave all your concerns in the hand of a gracious God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/01/06/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/01/06/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2023 16:15:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-6-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-5-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-5-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-5-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Otherworldly Vision
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even though All Saints is a day for remembering the dead, it is not a day of mourning.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The festival of All Saints is for the commemoration of the saints who have gone before us and have passed on to their eternal rest. Since it practically coincides with Reformation Day, it’s almost impossible to observe All Saints without recalling that the Reformers had some important things to say about the saints. We don’t have any ecclesiastical machinery for “canonizing” saints or for setting one off from another. We do not pray to or through the saints, nor are they objects of worship or even veneration.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But nevertheless, we can and we should remember them. This is a day for remembering together, commemorating the work of apostles, martyrs, and all the saints. Some such saints are named; but the vast majority are unnamed. We remember those who by their blood, sweat, and tears have left their mark on the church, the Body of Christ, to which we belong. And we cannot, I think, commemorate this day without a certain sense of awe and respect. Remember that when you enter the church you are ushered into the presence of this great host. You are inheriting their legacy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But even though All Saints is a day for remembering the dead, it is not a day of mourning. It is a day of celebration! In the epistle lesson for today, John, the seer, presents us with a vision in which all the saints, all the redeemed, all those who are sealed are present (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rev.%207%3A1%E2%80%9317/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. 7:1–17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Everyone who belongs is there. That certainly is the meaning of all the statistics and the number 144,000. Not, as some would have it, that the number is limited by arbitrary decree, but that everyone is there who ought to be there, 12,000 from all the tribes of Israel and Judah, and a great multitude from every nation of the earth, a multitude so great that no one can count it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And the angels hold back the winds and the sea so that no one will be harmed. And what are the saints doing? They are clothed in white robes, waving palm branches and shouting: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rev.%207%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. 7:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And everyone else, the angels, the elders, and the four living creatures cannot resist their contagious joy, so they all join in the chorus: “Amen! Blessing and Glory and Wisdom and Thanksgiving and Honor and Power and Might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen!” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rev.%207%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. 7:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles//the-otherworldly-vision" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles//the-otherworldly-vision
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2023 16:39:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-5-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-4-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-4-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-4-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amazing Grace...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A close source pointed me to an article by Marylynn Rouse in Christian Heritage London, about the 250th anniversary of Amazing Grace. She comments, ‘It’s not often that a pop song in the charts can claim to have been around for 250 years. John Newton’s hymn Amazing Grace featured in hit parades all over the world in the 1960s and 70s, but was written for New Year’s Day 1773.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Newton was then curate-in-charge (senior minister) at the parish church of St Peter and St Paul in Olney, Buckinghamshire. He took for his text 1 Chronicles 17:16,17 – And David the king came and sat before the Lord, and said, Who am I, O Lord God, and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me thus far? And yet this was a small thing in thine eyes, O God; for thou hast also spoken of thy servant’s house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the estate of a man of high degree, O Lord God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Newton began his sermon by saying “The Lord bestows many blessings upon his people, but unless he likewise gives them a thankful heart, they lose much of the comfort they might have in them.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘His objective then was to arouse in his listeners “a thankful heart”.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we begin a new calendar year, it’s worth pairing two great themes in Isaiah chapter 40, Comfort, and in chapter 60, Glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With the Babylonian conquest in 586BC, Isaiah’s first readers had lost their city, the temple (the symbol of God’s presence) and their king. We can only begin to imagine their reaction to Isaiah’s words in chapter 40, for he was now telling them that the time of God’s judgment was over. God had not forgotten them: they would have a future.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There’s a timelessness about these words, for they speak to us all as we face life with its difficulties, challenges, and suffering. In the midst of our cries from the heart, ‘Comfort’ speaks of God’s tenderness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The theme continues in verse 11: ‘He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah knows that in tough times only a big God can sustain us. And our God is a big God. Only he can overrule our world when it is falling into chaos around us. Only he can say to us with any degree of credibility, ‘Comfort’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah continues by awakening us to God’s awesome majesty and kindness, with questions such as, ‘What is God like?’ Can we compare him to the great ones of the world? Some try to pose as gods! Nebuchadnezzar, the great emperor of ancient Babylon, tried it for a while. So did Augustus Caesar and other Roman emperors. So too, do some autocrat leaders today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To which Isaiah responds: Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in; who brings princes to nought and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We search the universe in vain for an adequate comparison to God’s majesty. There is nothing we might worship – be it science or technology, intelligence or wisdom, military might or political power, or even the sun or the stars – that can be compared with him. Yet our world today has walked away from the very thought of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Is God kind and compassionate?’ we ask. Have you not known? Have you not heard? Isaiah says. The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable (40:28).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No matter how heart-breaking our situation, no matter how perplexing, we remain in the hands of a kind and limitless intelligence. He knows what he’s doing. Events that trouble us don’t mean that God’s hands have slipped from the helm. We may not always understand his ways, but we have every reason to trust him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, God is good and caring: He gives power to the faint, and gives strength to the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, and note this: they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint (40:29).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Walk and not faint. That’s what we need when life is tough and incomprehensible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In times when resentment, bitterness and pain make it hard to believe and hard to pray, hard to sing and hard to read the Bible, we need to turn afresh to Isaiah 40.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Which brings us to Isaiah chapter 60: Glory. Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising… I am the Lord; in its time I will hasten it (Isaiah 60:1-3, 22b).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The darkness of this world will one day give way to light, gloom will give way to glory. Isaiah 60 prepares us for the coming of God’s king in all his glory. It speaks of the city God has planned for his people – the new Jerusalem where, as Revelation 21:1-4 tells us, there will be no more pain or suffering, crying or death. Above all we will know the deep joy of God’s presence with us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But this city lies on the other side of a cosmic divide. Isaiah’s words will only be fulfilled through the personal intervention of God himself. Only then will we be delivered from the pain of our present world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Miraculously, the exiled Jewish people in Babylon returned to Jerusalem in 520BC. It is a picture of a far greater promise – forgiveness and new life for all God’s people in a city where there will be a perfect freedom we can only dimly understand. It will involve the manifestation of God’s King in all his majestic power and glory. And, come what may, it will happen. No human authority, no evil power is greater than God’s.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we begin a new calendar year, how important it is that, as we look forward, we also look back with thankful hearts to the greatest blessing of all that God has given humanity – the coming of his king amongst us and, through his death and resurrection, the offer of a full and free pardon and forgiveness for all who turn to him. We can face the future with hope and goodwill in our hearts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No wonder on a New Year’s Day, two hundred and fifty years ago, John Newton penned the words, Amazing Grace…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With thankful hearts may you know the blessing of God’s joy and peace in this New Year!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. O God, who by the leading of a star revealed your beloved Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may after this life enjoy the splendor of your glorious presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/amazing-grace/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/amazing-grace/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2023 17:47:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-4-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-3-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-3-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-3-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yearning for God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In a sense we are fortunate that we cannot see God. If for one second the veil were removed and we caught a brief glimpse of the face of God, we would perish instantly. His effulgence is so brilliant, His glory so dazzling, that in our present corrupted state we could not bear the sight of Him. He remains invisible both as a curse and as an act of protecting grace. As long as we remain infected by sin we are doomed to wander in His world sightless with respect to Him. We may be comforted by His Word and healed by the secret ministration of His Spirit, but we cannot see the supreme beauty of His face.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But we have a dream; nay, more than a dream. We have the sure and certain promise that someday we will see Him face to face. The heart of every Christian longs for the face of Christ. We yearn to look directly at God Himself without fear of being consumed. That deep yearning will be fulfilled one day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The future vision of God is called the "Beatific Vision" because it will bring in its wake the consummate blessedness for which we were created and redeemed. One of the Beatitudes spoken by Jesus was, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%205%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 5:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). In heaven we will be pure in heart. In heaven we will see God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Coram Deo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you yearn to see God? Reflect on His promise: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/yearning-god" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/yearning-god
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2023 15:21:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-3-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-2-23</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-2-23</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-2-23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This Year's Motto
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Continue steadfastly in prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Colossians%204:2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Colossians 4:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is interesting to consider how large a portion of the Bible is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, "People began to call upon the name of the LORD;"1 and just as we are about to close the volume, the "Amen" of an earnest supplication meets our ear.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob--there a Daniel who prayed three times a day--and a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elijah; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in His Word, He intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If He has said much about prayer, it is because He knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you need nothing? Then I fear you do not know your poverty. Have you no mercy to ask of God? Then may the Lord's mercy show you your misery! A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honor of a Christian. If you are a child of God, you will seek your Father's face and live in your Father's love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray that this year you may be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter more often into the banqueting-house of His love. Pray that you may be an example and a blessing to others, and that you may live more to the glory of your Master. The motto for this year must be, "Continue . . . in prayer."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Genesis 4:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/01/02/2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/01/02/2023/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 2023 17:44:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-2-23</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-30-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-30-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-30-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Professor or Possessor of Faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you not know that the end will be bitter?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Samuel 2:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reader, if you are merely a professor and not a possessor of the faith that is in Christ Jesus, the following lines are a true sketch of your end.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You are a respectable attender at a place of worship; you go because others go, not because your heart is right with God. This is your beginning. I will suppose that for the next twenty or thirty years you will be spared to continue in this way, professing religion by an outward attendance upon the means of grace, but having no heart in the matter. Tread softly, for I must show you the deathbed of someone just like you. Let us gaze upon him gently. A clammy sweat is on his brow, and he wakes up crying, "O God, it is hard to die. Did you send for my pastor?" "Yes, he is coming." The pastor comes. "Sir, I fear that I am dying!" "Have you any hope?" "I cannot say that I have. I fear to stand before my God. Oh, pray for me." The prayer is offered for him with sincere earnestness, and the way of salvation is for the ten-thousandth time put before him, but before he has grasped the rope, I see him sink.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I may put my finger upon those cold eyelids, for they will never see anything here again. But where is the man, and where are the man's true eyes? It is written, "In Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes."1 Why did he not lift up his eyes before? Because he was so accustomed to hearing the Gospel that his soul slept under it. If you should lift up your eyes in hell, how bitter will be your wailings. Let the Savior's own words reveal the woe: "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water, and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame."2 There is a frightful meaning in those words. May you never have to spell it out by the red light of God's wrath!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Luke 16:23
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           2) Luke 16:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/30/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 30 Dec 2022 15:46:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-30-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-29-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-29-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-29-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Giving of the Perfect Gift
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is an association, almost a one-to-one correspondence, between the gift and the nature of the giving.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How you give a gift is sometimes nearly as important as the gift itself. How you give a gift can significantly augment the moment of giving, the significance of the gift itself, and the meaning and motive behind it, rendering the gift unique and memorable. The converse also holds true. Bad packaging, no wrapping, damaged delivery: these things bespeak little consideration, last-minute purchases, and even frugality.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our culture understands packaging like Mozart reads music. It may be something built into human nature. We have an inherent sensibility when it comes to how things are presented – especially gifts. This is why Madison Avenue exists. Advertising agencies study human nature: our inclinations, dispositions, and perceptions. And the one thing they know they've got to do to move product is ponder the packaging. Sure, you've got to land the right moment, but blow it on the packaging and presentation and you might as well keep the receipt because your gift is heading for the closet, basement, or dumpster.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            There is an association, almost a one-to-one correspondence, between the gift and the nature of the giving. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How you give a gift is what prompts us to inquire about engagement proposals: How did you do it? Was it in a box? Did he go to Jared's? Did your kiss begin with Kay? There is an association, almost a one-to-one correspondence, between the gift and the nature of the giving. What the gift is and how you give it go together like Lexus and leather. How you give and get things matters. It matters to us because we have expectations, and this rule summarizes those expectations: how the gift is presented reflects the preciousness of the gift itself, because how it is given correlates to the Giver himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This principle of the correspondence of the what and how of gift-giving applies to everything. Think about food. A sumptuous presentation of short ribs bespeaks of the excellency of the flavor. Hungry Man Dinner scraped out of a can, not so much. We expect good things to come in good packages. This is precisely why gift-wrapping services are available at Nordstrom's but not at Dollar Mart.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Upon our fifteenth wedding anniversary, I wanted to upgrade my wife Melinda's engagement diamond. When it was finished, the craftsman simply put it in a fold of loose-leaf paper. I raised an eyebrow to say, "Dude, that ain't gonna cut it." However, he surrendered it to the store owner, who took the ring from the paper, placed it on a exquisite black cloth, and then reached beneath the counter and offered me a selection of extraordinarily beautiful ring boxes. Yeah, that's more like it. Jewelers understand that how you present that costly gift says a lot about the gift's value and the Giver's values. The value of a ring is to be matched by the kind of packaging by which it comes, and both portend to heighten the moment of giving, communicate the significance of the gift, embody the meaning and motive behind it, and make the giving itself both unique and memorable, fulfilling all expectations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With the idea that the value of a gift correlates with how it is given, we elevate our consideration from good gifts to the perfect gift. For the perfect gift to be and remain perfect, it would have to come by way of perfection. Not only would it be given at the perfect moment, but the packaging would have to be perfect, and so would the delivery. All this perfection, of course, would manifest the perfection of the Giver and his perfect motive in giving the perfect gift.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Galatians%204%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Galatians 4:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            describes the perfect moment this way: "when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son." Elsewhere the Gospels proclaim "the time being fulfilled," and therefore, the perfect moment. And in the perfect moment, the perfect gift (which we recall is the greatest gift God could possibly give: himself, the perfect One, God the Son) is given in perfection, that is to say, without sin, perfectly spotless, fully righteous, and thoroughly holy: he is perfect as his heavenly Father is perfect (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%205%3A38/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 5:38
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This truth is the dogma of the incarnation: perfect Son of God became perfect Son of Man, yet without sin. This fact of Christ's sinless perfection finds testimony in the Scripture. "There is no sin in him" (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20John%203%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 3:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). "Him, who knew no sin, God the Father has made to be sin for us," i.e. a victim of sin for us, explains Paul in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Corinthians%205%3A21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Corinthians 5:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . He is the spotless, unblemished, perfect sacrificial Lamb given to us and at the same time given up to the Father as a perfect atoning sacrifice, to perfect our redemption. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This sinless, perfect one who came at the perfect time is also given through perfection: he was "conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary," as the Apostles' Creed puts it. Perfection begets perfection. This is why Jesus Christ is "the only-begotten Son of God: God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made" (Nicene Creed). How Jesus was given bespeaks of the excellency of God's greatest gift to humanity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The incarnation of the Son of God consists in his assumption of a human body and soul. It was foretold in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Genesis%203%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 3:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Isaiah%207%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 7:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            that a pure and virginal woman would give birth to "Immanuel, who is God with us." By this mysterious union, Jesus Christ was the Mediator between God and man (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Tim.%202.5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Tim. 2.5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He mediates through the personal union of the two natures of God and man in his unique person. He is unique like Adam was unique. Both had God, as it were, for their Father. Adam begotten in time. The Son of God eternally begotten of the Father and conceived of the Holy Spirit in the fullness of time. This is why Jesus is called "the Last Adam." 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The two natures personally united in Christ are and remain essentially distinct. Each retains its own essential properties or attributes and its own intelligence and will so that his divinity is not his humanity nor a part of the same, nor his humanity his divinity. Yet there is in Christ—who is one person with two natures (fully God and fully human)—a communion of natures, so that the divine nature is the nature of the Son of Man (born of the Virgin Mary) and the human nature the nature of the Son of God (conceived of the Holy Spirit, eternally ever-begotten of the Father). Perfection begets perfection in the act of divine self-giving. In giving the Son by way of the conception of the Holy Spirit, the perfection of the eternal Word of God, who is the second person of the Holy Trinity, is preserved and formed in the perfect act of creating the perfect human being. That human being was and is Jesus of Nazareth. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Inseparably connected to the incarnation is the doctrine of the Virgin Birth. Again, we find nothing but perfection. There are some facts and implications with which we have to grapple here. The first is that Jesus of Nazareth is "the Word made flesh." The Divine Word or Logos, the second person of the Holy Trinity, who is the substantial and personal Reason or Genius of God, did not cease to be God when he became flesh; He was made man, not changed into man. Scripture continues to speak of the Logos incarnate in such a way that each nature must be understood as retaining all its essential characteristics. In Christ Jesus, two complete natures are united in the personality of one of them. Generation of the man Jesus and the union of the two natures (divine and human) were simultaneous. The human nature of Christ never existed by itself; it was not produced from the essence of the Holy Spirit but, by his creative agency, from the body of Mary. "Conceived of the Holy Ghost" denotes efficient agency. "Born of the Virgin Mary" denotes the matter.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Since Jesus' Father is God Himself, there was no original sin to be passed down, but only perfection. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Perfection begets perfection. So we understand that anything with which the Holy Spirit is said to be the efficient agent must itself be holy. But what of the humanity of Christ? How was it not tainted by Original Sin? Adam and Eve brought sin and death into this world. And since Jesus is the Son of Man, would he not have a human nature disposed to sinful selfishness like us since our defining human natures—with inordinately self-loving dispositions—are the constitutive inheritance from one generation to the next? Wouldn't he have a fallen human nature too? The answer is no. Jesus of Nazareth was born without original sin because he was conceived without original sin. Since Jesus' Father is God Himself, there was no original sin to be passed down, but only perfection. Conceived by the Holy Spirit through Mary's willing cooperation at the Annunciation, Christ was not subject to Adam's sin or its effects. In this way, Jesus is an authentically fully human person and so capable of representing us in our need to be perfect before the law of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But what about his physicality? Wouldn't that be despoiled by being born of a woman? The fact is that the Word made flesh was enfleshed with the flesh of Mary. The blood that ran through the veins of Jesus and was spilt on the cross of Golgotha was blood that came from Mary. Here the Scriptures tread carefully and describe Mary in utterly unique terms, in utterly unique scenarios. Note in the Annunciation how the archangel Gabriel comes and "Hails" Mary, bringing a salutation from God that's meant to resonate throughout all humanity. God hails her in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%201%3A28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 1:28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , not through some chump lackey angel that's got nothing to do. No, instead, it is YHWH's greatest Ambassador sent from the very throne of God to lavish laud and honor upon Mary. And then he bestows a singular title upon her traditionally rendered "Full of Grace." The Greek word, kecharitomene, is so rare that we find it only used to describe Jesus and Mary. The rarity of the word, which is at the same time a title, speaks of the singularity of Mary's condition: she is the "Full of Grace" one. The Greek grammatical form indicates that her "grace" or "favor" is a present and permanent condition resulting from a past action of God. The Lutheran Confessions say that she was a pure virgin. Her purity comes by way of God. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Orthodox Church says that Mary's redemption and immaculate state was accomplished by God at the moment of Christ's conception, not hers (per the Church of Rome). God's Word purifies her as the Lamp that holds the Light of the Word. She is cleansed as the temple in which she bears God her Savior. This is why Eastern Churches call her Panágia — "the All-Holy," rendered immaculate at the Annunciation. Luther saw the merits of this view saying that Mary became pregnant "through the ear," that is, by way of the Word of God announced to her by the archangel Gabriel: Hence, he was "conceived by the Holy Spirit" (Apostles' Creed). True biblical theology inseparably couples the work of the Spirit with the Word of God. This view extols the perfecting of Mary by a saving act of God, so that the Perfect One is understood by way of an inscrutable conception and unblemished formation within the pure, virginal body of Mary. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The result of this perfect union is the perfect gift: a perfect man, who as our King, represents humanity, to fulfill our high calling to perfectly image forth the rule, character, nature, and will of God. The perfect gift is immaculately conceived and delivered. He is "born of a pure virgin" (LSB 401).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Both what is given and how he is given must be understood as for you. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How the perfect gift was given meets our expectations too. Giving the Son through the agency of the most Holy Spirit, formed by the body and blood of an immaculate Virgin, at the perfect moment of our heightened need, all tell of the significance, meaning, and motive bound up with this gift. Perfection enters our radical imperfection so that you may stand before him. Both what is given and how he is given must be understood as for you. He came for you. Such a gift tells us there is perfect love and a perfect Father behind this world. Packaged and delivered in perfection, the gift of the body and blood of Christ is unique and memorable and now continually available for you in the Lord's Supper, where a union of two natures is present under the auspices of bread and wine so that the perfection that you need is given for you. Your Christmas gift awaits, packaged in perfection, to render you the same: for perfection begets perfection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles//the-giving-of-the-perfect-gift" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles//the-giving-of-the-perfect-gift
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Dec 2022 15:33:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-29-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-28-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-28-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-28-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Follow Boldly
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Matthew%2010:34/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 10:34
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Christian will be sure to make enemies. It will be one of his objects to make none; but if doing what is right and believing what is true should cause him to lose every earthly friend, he will regard it as a small loss, since his great Friend in heaven will be even more friendly and will reveal Himself to him more graciously than ever. You who have taken up His cross, don't you know what your Master said? "I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother . . . And a person's enemies will be those of his own household."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ is the great Peacemaker; but before peace, He brings war. Where the light comes, the darkness must vanish. Where truth is, the lie must flee; or if it remains, there must be a stern conflict, for the truth cannot and will not lower its standard, and the lie must be trampled underfoot. If you follow Christ, you will have all the dogs of the world yelping at your heels. If you live in such a manner as to stand the test of the last judgment, you can depend upon it that the world will not speak well of you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He who has the friendship of the world is an enemy to God; but if you are true and faithful to the Most High, men will resent your uncompromising commitment, since it is a testimony against their iniquities. You must do the right thing and not fear the consequences. You will need the courage of a lion to pursue a course that turns your best friend into your fiercest foe; but for the love of Jesus you must take your stand. To risk reputation and affection for the truth's sake is so demanding that to do it constantly you will need a degree of moral principle that only the Spirit of God can work in you. Do not turn your back like a coward, but play the man. Follow boldly in your Master's steps, for He has made this rough journey before you. Better a brief warfare and eternal rest than false peace and everlasting torment.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/28/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/28/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 Dec 2022 15:51:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-28-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-27-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-27-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-27-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Speed with God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When Sereno E. Dwight included the seventy resolutions in his biography of his great-grandfather Jonathan Edwards, he added the arresting comment: “These were all written before he was twenty years of age.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doubtless the resolutions display the marks of relative youth—references to God are frequent, while references to Christ and to grace are noticeably infrequent. Edwards’ sense of the need for radical consecration was then greater than his ability to show how such devotion would need to be resourced in Christ over the long haul. While this is not wholly lacking, there is no doubt that introspection dominates over divine provision. That notwithstanding, the “Resolutions” provide a very powerful illustration of an often-repeated divine pattern: those the Lord means to use significantly he often deals with profoundly in early years.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Edwards stood in a great Puritan tradition of resolution-forming and covenant-making. Both are lost spiritual arts, substituted at best by life-plans that tend to focus on the externals. Edwards, by contrast, was deeply concerned with the internals. He early grasped the value of a deliberate binding of the conscience to a life of holiness and of expressing such commitment in a concrete, objective, and also very specific way. Thus for him, the practice of keeping a journal (in which half of his resolutions are found) was not merely an exercise in narcissism but a careful guarding of the heart against sin. In addition, Edwards was conscious from his teenage years that dealing with indwelling sin (“mortifying” it in the older terminology) meant a commitment to deal generally with all sin, and also repenting of—and mortifying—“particular sins, particularly” (Westminster Confession of Faith, 15.5; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%208%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 8:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Col.%203%3A5%2C%208%E2%80%9310/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 3:5, 8–10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Indeed, these words of Paul form the unwritten backdrop to a number of the resolutions).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What can we learn for Christian living today from the resolutions themselves? Here are only three of many outstanding lessons:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Life is for the glory of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Resolution 4 epitomizes this: “Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Living in the light of eternity solemnizes all of life and enables one increasingly to give weight to every thought, word, and deed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These words have a Daniel-like ring about them (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Dan.%201%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dan. 1:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). When coupled with Edwards’s further principle that we learn from Scripture how God is to be glorified in our lives, this is both a life-goal statement and a life-simplifying one. The question, what will most tend to the glory of God in this situation? asked against the background of growing biblical wisdom wonderfully simplifies and clarifies the choices of life. In a world full of apparent complexities, this is an invaluable litmus test to use—not least if, like Edwards, you are a teenager.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Life should be lived in the light of eternity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was, of course, a dominant perspective throughout Edwards’ later life. But it was already powerfully present in his late teens. He sought to relate the whole of life to its end (in both senses of the word). In pain he reflected on the sufferings of hell (resolution 10). He lived from death and judgment backwards into the present (resolution 17), and endeavored to do so as if each hour might be his last (resolution 19). He sought to make future happiness a central goal (resolutions 22, 50, 55). Thus, if living for the glory of God simplifies all of life, living in the light of eternity solemnizes all of life and enables one increasingly to give weight to every thought, word, and deed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Life is lived best by those who guard the heart.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Edwards guarded his emotions and affections—and his verbal and physical expressions of them—with great care. This emerges in several resolutions (including 31, 34, 36, 45, 58, and 59). Particularly noteworthy is resolution 25. Here he stresses that, if he wishes so to live in a holy manner, he must be “resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.” Whether consciously or not, Edwards here recognized a cardinal element in the original temptation—to malign and thus destroy a sense of the generous love and goodness of God to Adam and Eve (“Has he set you in this garden and forbidden you to eat of all the trees?” see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gen.%203%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 3:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As early as the age of nineteen, therefore, Edwards recognized that if he lost a sense of the greatness and generosity of the divine love, there would be no resources of grace to motivate the life of holiness to which he committed himself in his resolutions. Therein lay wisdom far beyond his years.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When he penned his final series of resolutions in the summer of 1723, Edwards appears to have been reading through Thomas Manton’s sermons on 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Psalm%20119/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 119
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . He refers to the idea of being open to God found in Manton’s exposition of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Psalm%20119%3A26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 119:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (sermon 27 in a series of 190). There Manton had given directives for those “who would speed with God.” Edwards was certainly such a young man. Great intellect though he was, he recognized that to “speed with God” was a matter of the heart. That is why all of us—teenagers included—can still aspire today to share the devotion to God he expressed so powerfully in his resolutions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/speed-god" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/speed-god
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Dec 2022 19:32:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-27-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-26-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-26-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-26-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Always There
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I am with you always.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Matthew%2028:20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 28:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord Jesus is among His people; He walks between the golden candlesticks; His promise is, "I am with you always." He is as surely with us now as He was with the disciples at the lake when they saw coals of fire and fish being prepared for breakfast. Not physically, but still in reality, Jesus is with us. And an important truth this is, for where Jesus is, love becomes passionate. Of all the things in the world that can set the heart burning, there is nothing like the presence of Jesus! A glimpse of Him is so overwhelming that we are ready to say, "Turn away Your eyes from me, for they have overcome me." Even the fragrance of the aloes and the myrrh and the cinnamon, which linger on His perfumed garments, causes the sick and the faint to grow strong.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A moment's leaning of the head upon that gracious chest, welcoming His divine love into our poor cold hearts, and suddenly we are no longer cold but shine like seraphs, equal to every task and capable of bearing every suffering. If we know that Jesus is with us, every power will be heightened, and every grace will be strengthened, and we will cast ourselves into the Lord's service with heart and soul and strength; therefore the presence of Christ is to be desired above all things. His presence will be realized most by those who are most like Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you desire to see Christ, you must grow in conformity to Him. Bring yourself, by the power of the Spirit, into union with Christ's desires and motives and plans of action, and you are likely to be favored with His company.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remember, His presence may be enjoyed. His promise is as true as ever. He delights to be with us. If He does not come, it is because we hinder Him by our indifference. He will reveal Himself to our sincere prayers and graciously allow Himself to be detained by our cries and by our tears, for these are the golden chains that bind Jesus to His people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/26/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/26/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Dec 2022 19:30:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-26-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-23-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-23-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-23-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We See Thee Face to Face
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yours is the day, yours also the night.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2074:16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 74:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord, You do not abdicate Your throne when the sun goes down, nor do You leave the world during all those long wintry nights to be the prey of evil. Your eyes watch us like the stars, and Your arms surround us as the band of planets belts the sky. The benefit of kindly sleep and all the influences of the moon are in Your hand, and the alarms and solemnities of night are equally with You. This is very sweet to me when walking in the midnight hours or tossing to and fro in anguish.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are precious fruits supplied by the moon as well as by the sun: May my Lord make me a favored partaker in them. The night of affliction is just as much under the arrangement and control of the Lord of Love as the bright summer days when all is bliss. Jesus is in the tempest. His love wraps the night about itself like a cloak, but to the eye of faith the sable robe is scarcely a disguise. From the first watch of the night even to the break of day the eternal Watcher observes His saints and overrules the shades and shadows of midnight for His people's highest good. We believe in no rival deities of good and evil contending for mastery, but we hear the voice of Jehovah saying, "I form light and create darkness . . . I am the LORD, who does all these things."1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gloomy seasons of religious indifference and social sin are not exempted from the divine purpose. When the altars of truth are defiled, and the ways of God forsaken, the Lord's servants weep with bitter sorrow, but they need not despair, for even the darkest eras are governed by the Lord and will come to an end at His command. What seems defeat to us may be victory to Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Though enwrapt in gloomy night,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           We perceive no ray of light;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Since the Lord Himself is here,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           'Tis not fitting we should fear.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/23/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/23/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Dec 2022 19:27:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-23-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Texas Game Summary - 11/25/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-texas-game-summary-11-25-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/nieves_francisco"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francisco Nieves
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Texas Outreach Ministry Report (Texas vs. Baylor)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By Francisco Nieves
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           11/25/2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I cannot believe that the college football season is already over! Today was our last home game against Baylor University. Tom McLaughlin and I arrived at the college stadium at around 8 am and we were surprised that there were not that many people tailgating. I think that this was because of a combination of things. For starters, it was black Friday and people were probably out shopping. Secondly, it looked like it was going to rain. Thankfully, it did not rain while we were out there.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Since there were not that many people walking by at our normal ministry location, we decided to move closer to the stadium and try to find a busier intersection. This was both a good and a bad decision. It was good because eventually the crowds did show up and we gave out way more gospel tracts than ever before. However, it was bad because we had law enforcement called on us for using amplification. Nevertheless, we preached for like an hour and a half before the cops arrived, and even after they arrived, they let us preach there without amplification. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another evangelist named Drew eventually joined us, he got in the preaching rotation, and handed out tons of gospel tracts as well. Overall, it was a very good day of ministry. We had many positive responses from the crowds. One older woman even came up to us, gave us a hug, and told us that she was so happy that we were out there. That was very encouraging to us. We praise God for all the opportunities that we had this season to minister to the lost here in Austin. We pray that God will use the preaching of His Word for His glory!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Texas"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Texas
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 26 Dec 2022 17:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-texas-game-summary-11-25-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/2+University+of+Texas+Francisco+Nieves+SFOI1000+11-25.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Texas Game Summary - 11/12/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-texas-game-summary-11-12-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/nieves_francisco"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francisco Nieves
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Texas Outreach Ministry Report (Texas vs. Texas Christian University)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By Francisco Nieves
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           11/12/2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was another great day of ministry at the Longhorns game! The evangelists present were Tom McLaughlin, David and Ana Santisteban, Chris Popso and Sebastian Cordova and myself. As we were setting up, one of the evangelists heard a comment from the crowd that said, “There they go again, preaching at the same corner.” We praise God that people are recognizing our consistency and we pray that they are also listening to the message that we are consistently preaching. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As always, we took turns preaching and handing out gospel tracts. Chris Popso got up on the box to preach in the open air for the very first time and he did an amazing job. God was greatly glorified in his boldness. In addition, our brother Sebastian Cordova, who came out with us for the first time, also got up on the stepladder to preach in Spanish! He was hesitant to do it at first, because it did not look like there were that many Spanish-speaking fans, but I encouraged him to do it anyway and he did a great job! Praise God that He is raising more people to come out with us to these events! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I had a great conversation with a man named Austin that lasted about 30 minutes. I handed Austin one of our gospel tracts and he stood close by to read it. After he had finished, I approached him again and asked him what his thoughts were on what he read. He told me that he believed in God, but was not sure about much else. I asked him where he got his information about “God” and he told me that he looked within. This led to a great discussion of ultimate authority and the fall of man. Austin heard a clear presentation of the gospel. He told me that he had grown up in a Baptist church but had not been to one in a long time. I invited him to church with us and we are still praying that he will take us up on that offer. Please pray for Austin! Both this individual and the city. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Texas"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Texas
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 24 Dec 2022 06:15:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-texas-game-summary-11-12-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/4+University+of+Texas+Francisco+Nieves+11-12.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-22-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-22-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-22-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Giving of the Perfect Gift
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is an association, almost a one-to-one correspondence, between the gift and the nature of the giving.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How you give a gift is sometimes nearly as important as the gift itself. How you give a gift can significantly augment the moment of giving, the significance of the gift itself, and the meaning and motive behind it, rendering the gift unique and memorable. The converse also holds true. Bad packaging, no wrapping, damaged delivery: these things bespeak little consideration, last-minute purchases, and even frugality.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our culture understands packaging like Mozart reads music. It may be something built into human nature. We have an inherent sensibility when it comes to how things are presented – especially gifts. This is why Madison Avenue exists. Advertising agencies study human nature: our inclinations, dispositions, and perceptions. And the one thing they know they've got to do to move product is ponder the packaging. Sure, you've got to land the right moment, but blow it on the packaging and presentation and you might as well keep the receipt because your gift is heading for the closet, basement, or dumpster.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            There is an association, almost a one-to-one correspondence, between the gift and the nature of the giving. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How you give a gift is what prompts us to inquire about engagement proposals: How did you do it? Was it in a box? Did he go to Jared's? Did your kiss begin with Kay? There is an association, almost a one-to-one correspondence, between the gift and the nature of the giving. What the gift is and how you give it go together like Lexus and leather. How you give and get things matters. It matters to us because we have expectations, and this rule summarizes those expectations: how the gift is presented reflects the preciousness of the gift itself, because how it is given correlates to the Giver himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This principle of the correspondence of the what and how of gift-giving applies to everything. Think about food. A sumptuous presentation of short ribs bespeaks of the excellency of the flavor. Hungry Man Dinner scraped out of a can, not so much. We expect good things to come in good packages. This is precisely why gift-wrapping services are available at Nordstrom's but not at Dollar Mart.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Upon our fifteenth wedding anniversary, I wanted to upgrade my wife Melinda's engagement diamond. When it was finished, the craftsman simply put it in a fold of loose-leaf paper. I raised an eyebrow to say, "Dude, that ain't gonna cut it." However, he surrendered it to the store owner, who took the ring from the paper, placed it on a exquisite black cloth, and then reached beneath the counter and offered me a selection of extraordinarily beautiful ring boxes. Yeah, that's more like it. Jewelers understand that how you present that costly gift says a lot about the gift's value and the Giver's values. The value of a ring is to be matched by the kind of packaging by which it comes, and both portend to heighten the moment of giving, communicate the significance of the gift, embody the meaning and motive behind it, and make the giving itself both unique and memorable, fulfilling all expectations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With the idea that the value of a gift correlates with how it is given, we elevate our consideration from good gifts to the perfect gift. For the perfect gift to be and remain perfect, it would have to come by way of perfection. Not only would it be given at the perfect moment, but the packaging would have to be perfect, and so would the delivery. All this perfection, of course, would manifest the perfection of the Giver and his perfect motive in giving the perfect gift.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Galatians%204%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Galatians 4:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            describes the perfect moment this way: "when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son." Elsewhere the Gospels proclaim "the time being fulfilled," and therefore, the perfect moment. And in the perfect moment, the perfect gift (which we recall is the greatest gift God could possibly give: himself, the perfect One, God the Son) is given in perfection, that is to say, without sin, perfectly spotless, fully righteous, and thoroughly holy: he is perfect as his heavenly Father is perfect (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%205%3A38/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 5:38
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This truth is the dogma of the incarnation: perfect Son of God became perfect Son of Man, yet without sin. This fact of Christ's sinless perfection finds testimony in the Scripture. "There is no sin in him" (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20John%203%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 3:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). "Him, who knew no sin, God the Father has made to be sin for us," i.e. a victim of sin for us, explains Paul in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Corinthians%205%3A21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Corinthians 5:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . He is the spotless, unblemished, perfect sacrificial Lamb given to us and at the same time given up to the Father as a perfect atoning sacrifice, to perfect our redemption. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This sinless, perfect one who came at the perfect time is also given through perfection: he was "conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary," as the Apostles' Creed puts it. Perfection begets perfection. This is why Jesus Christ is "the only-begotten Son of God: God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made" (Nicene Creed). How Jesus was given bespeaks of the excellency of God's greatest gift to humanity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The incarnation of the Son of God consists in his assumption of a human body and soul. It was foretold in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Genesis%203%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 3:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Isaiah%207%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 7:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            that a pure and virginal woman would give birth to "Immanuel, who is God with us." By this mysterious union, Jesus Christ was the Mediator between God and man (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Tim.%202.5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Tim. 2.5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He mediates through the personal union of the two natures of God and man in his unique person. He is unique like Adam was unique. Both had God, as it were, for their Father. Adam begotten in time. The Son of God eternally begotten of the Father and conceived of the Holy Spirit in the fullness of time. This is why Jesus is called "the Last Adam." 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The two natures personally united in Christ are and remain essentially distinct. Each retains its own essential properties or attributes and its own intelligence and will so that his divinity is not his humanity nor a part of the same, nor his humanity his divinity. Yet there is in Christ—who is one person with two natures (fully God and fully human)—a communion of natures, so that the divine nature is the nature of the Son of Man (born of the Virgin Mary) and the human nature the nature of the Son of God (conceived of the Holy Spirit, eternally ever-begotten of the Father). Perfection begets perfection in the act of divine self-giving. In giving the Son by way of the conception of the Holy Spirit, the perfection of the eternal Word of God, who is the second person of the Holy Trinity, is preserved and formed in the perfect act of creating the perfect human being. That human being was and is Jesus of Nazareth. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Inseparably connected to the incarnation is the doctrine of the Virgin Birth. Again, we find nothing but perfection. There are some facts and implications with which we have to grapple here. The first is that Jesus of Nazareth is "the Word made flesh." The Divine Word or Logos, the second person of the Holy Trinity, who is the substantial and personal Reason or Genius of God, did not cease to be God when he became flesh; He was made man, not changed into man. Scripture continues to speak of the Logos incarnate in such a way that each nature must be understood as retaining all its essential characteristics. In Christ Jesus, two complete natures are united in the personality of one of them. Generation of the man Jesus and the union of the two natures (divine and human) were simultaneous. The human nature of Christ never existed by itself; it was not produced from the essence of the Holy Spirit but, by his creative agency, from the body of Mary. "Conceived of the Holy Ghost" denotes efficient agency. "Born of the Virgin Mary" denotes the matter.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Since Jesus' Father is God Himself, there was no original sin to be passed down, but only perfection. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Perfection begets perfection. So we understand that anything with which the Holy Spirit is said to be the efficient agent must itself be holy. But what of the humanity of Christ? How was it not tainted by Original Sin? Adam and Eve brought sin and death into this world. And since Jesus is the Son of Man, would he not have a human nature disposed to sinful selfishness like us since our defining human natures—with inordinately self-loving dispositions—are the constitutive inheritance from one generation to the next? Wouldn't he have a fallen human nature too? The answer is no. Jesus of Nazareth was born without original sin because he was conceived without original sin. Since Jesus' Father is God Himself, there was no original sin to be passed down, but only perfection. Conceived by the Holy Spirit through Mary's willing cooperation at the Annunciation, Christ was not subject to Adam's sin or its effects. In this way, Jesus is an authentically fully human person and so capable of representing us in our need to be perfect before the law of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But what about his physicality? Wouldn't that be despoiled by being born of a woman? The fact is that the Word made flesh was enfleshed with the flesh of Mary. The blood that ran through the veins of Jesus and was spilt on the cross of Golgotha was blood that came from Mary. Here the Scriptures tread carefully and describe Mary in utterly unique terms, in utterly unique scenarios. Note in the Annunciation how the archangel Gabriel comes and "Hails" Mary, bringing a salutation from God that's meant to resonate throughout all humanity. God hails her in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%201%3A28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 1:28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , not through some chump lackey angel that's got nothing to do. No, instead, it is YHWH's greatest Ambassador sent from the very throne of God to lavish laud and honor upon Mary. And then he bestows a singular title upon her traditionally rendered "Full of Grace." The Greek word, kecharitomene, is so rare that we find it only used to describe Jesus and Mary. The rarity of the word, which is at the same time a title, speaks of the singularity of Mary's condition: she is the "Full of Grace" one. The Greek grammatical form indicates that her "grace" or "favor" is a present and permanent condition resulting from a past action of God. The Lutheran Confessions say that she was a pure virgin. Her purity comes by way of God. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Orthodox Church says that Mary's redemption and immaculate state was accomplished by God at the moment of Christ's conception, not hers (per the Church of Rome). God's Word purifies her as the Lamp that holds the Light of the Word. She is cleansed as the temple in which she bears God her Savior. This is why Eastern Churches call her Panágia — "the All-Holy," rendered immaculate at the Annunciation. Luther saw the merits of this view saying that Mary became pregnant "through the ear," that is, by way of the Word of God announced to her by the archangel Gabriel: Hence, he was "conceived by the Holy Spirit" (Apostles' Creed). True biblical theology inseparably couples the work of the Spirit with the Word of God. This view extols the perfecting of Mary by a saving act of God, so that the Perfect One is understood by way of an inscrutable conception and unblemished formation within the pure, virginal body of Mary. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The result of this perfect union is the perfect gift: a perfect man, who as our King, represents humanity, to fulfill our high calling to perfectly image forth the rule, character, nature, and will of God. The perfect gift is immaculately conceived and delivered. He is "born of a pure virgin" (LSB 401).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Both what is given and how he is given must be understood as for you. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How the perfect gift was given meets our expectations too. Giving the Son through the agency of the most Holy Spirit, formed by the body and blood of an immaculate Virgin, at the perfect moment of our heightened need, all tell of the significance, meaning, and motive bound up with this gift. Perfection enters our radical imperfection so that you may stand before him. Both what is given and how he is given must be understood as for you. He came for you. Such a gift tells us there is perfect love and a perfect Father behind this world. Packaged and delivered in perfection, the gift of the body and blood of Christ is unique and memorable and now continually available for you in the Lord's Supper, where a union of two natures is present under the auspices of bread and wine so that the perfection that you need is given for you. Your Christmas gift awaits, packaged in perfection, to render you the same: for perfection begets perfection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles//the-giving-of-the-perfect-gift" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles//the-giving-of-the-perfect-gift
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 22 Dec 2022 15:52:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-22-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-21-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-21-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-21-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christmas - Giving and Getting
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘What is Christmas all about?’ asks Charlie Brown, in Charles M. Schultz’s A Charlie Brown Christmas.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When A Charlie Brown Christmas was first released (December 1965), the overwhelming positive response took the television network executives by surprise. It was watched by forty-five percent of the television viewing audience that night. And now, over fifty years later it is still a Christmas classic and continues to draw millions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tired of the commercialism of Christmas, Charlie Brown wants to know its real meaning. We see Snoopy’s answer when he enters a Christmas lighting and decoration competition. For Sally, Charlie Brown’s young sister, it’s all about getting.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When once again Charlie Brown asks his question, Linus responds by taking center-stage and reading from Luke 2:8-14:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid: for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will amongst those he favors’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In an interview, Charles Schultz’s wife, Jeannie commented that her husband pushed back against the idea that there is no place for a Bible text in a cartoon. He insisted that the Bible is not just for God’s people – it is for everyone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Schultz understood that Christmas is the twinning of Giving and Getting. God gave; we get or receive.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, this Advent season I have been drawing attention to the way, some seven centuries before Jesus was born, Isaiah foretold that a young woman would conceive and give birth to a son who would be named Immanuel – God with us (Isaiah 7:14).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But that is not all. In Isaiah chapter 9 we read that into the darkness of Israel’s experience at the time, a light would dawn in the north, the region of Galilee: Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who are in distress, Isaiah says.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Galilee was the region that had been subject to the Assyrian invasion. As Isaiah chapter 9 unfolds we read that a day of joy would come (verse 3); the signs of war would cease (verses 4 and 5); and the shadow of death would disappear. For, as verse 6 of chapter 9 says: To us a child is born, to us a son is given…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The sign of the dawning of the new day in God’s purposes would be something weak and insignificant – the birth of a baby. Yet, as Isaiah foreshadows, the government will be on his shoulders. His name was to be called, wonderful counsellor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (9:6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through the lens of the New Testament we see the beginning of the fulfilment of these words – the first instalment, as it were. Matthew chapter 1, verses 21 through 23 records the words of the angel to Joseph: ‘(Mary) will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins’. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So often we simply do not appreciate the full weight of this event. We may believe the baby born in Bethlehem to be the Son of God, but how often do we let the intense meaning of this birth pass us by?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How often do we pause and reflect on the reality that divinity walked the streets of Jerusalem? That infinite Wisdom and Power humbly took on human nature? That God poured his heavenly resources into rescuing us, even though it meant the violence and horror of a crucifixion?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is for our sake that Christ condescended to such monumental humiliation. The lowly birth in Bethlehem points to Christ’s voluntary decision to set aside his glory for our sake. He came and he gave, to enrich us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Because of God’s gift to us, we will want to respond with true repentance and deep thanks.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We will also want to emulate, no matter how feebly, the unspeakable generosity of God’s gift. Because God gave, we will want to live God’s way and to share with others the gift of joy and hope. Not condescendingly or aggressively, but graciously and generously.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is a story about a fourth century bishop in Turkey. One Christmas he wanted to express his gratitude to God for the gift of Jesus. Going into a slum area of the city carrying a heavy sack on his back, he knocked on the door of one of the little mud houses and was greeted by the dirty faces of three young children. Taking the pack off his back he gave them each a warm woollen coat before disappearing back to his own home. The bishop was Nicholas of Myra.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The story of Nicholas, now thoroughly commercialized, is nevertheless a good example if true; a useful parable if a legend. He felt the weight of the words of Paul the Apostle in Second Corinthians, chapter eight, verse nine: For you know the generous gift of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here is the greatest reason of all for Christian giving – and not just at Christmas.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may want to find a way to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas with your family.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may also want to give a special Christmas gift for the ministry of your church or a gospel mission. You may also like to make an end of year gift here to the ministry of the Anglican Connection. (Gifts in the US are tax deductible.)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           May you know afresh the joy and rich blessing of God’s love this Christmas!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty God, you have given us your only Son to take our nature upon him, and as at this time to be borne of a pure virgin. Grant that we, being born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/christmas-giving-and-getting/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/christmas-giving-and-getting/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 21 Dec 2022 16:55:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-21-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-20-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-20-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-20-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Born of the Virgin Mary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Along with the great theologian and philosopher Anselm of Canterbury we ask the question, Cur deus homo? Why the God-man? When we look at the biblical answer to that question, we see that the purpose behind the incarnation of Christ is to fulfill His work as God’s appointed Mediator. It is said in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Timothy%202%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Timothy 2:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself . . .” Now, the Bible speaks of many mediators with a small or lower case “m.” A mediator is an agent who stands between two parties who are estranged and in need of reconciliation. But when Paul writes to Timothy of a solitary Mediator, a single Mediator, with a capital “M,” he’s referring to that Mediator who is the supreme Intercessor between God and fallen humanity. This Mediator, Jesus Christ, is indeed the God-man.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the early centuries of the church, with the office of mediator and the ministry of reconciliation in view, the church had to deal with heretical movements that would disturb the balance of this mediating character of Christ. Our one Mediator, who stands as an agent to reconcile God and man, is the One who participates both in deity and in humanity. In the gospel of John, we read that it was the eternal Logos, the Word, who became flesh and dwelt among us. It was the second person of the Trinity who took upon Himself a human nature to work out our redemption. In the fifth century at the Council of Chalcedon in 451, the church had to fight against a sinister teaching called the Monophysite heresy. The term monophysite is derived from the prefix mono, which means “one,” and from the root phusis, which means “nature” or “essence.” The heretic Eutyches taught that Christ, in the incarnation, had a single nature, which he called a “theanthropic nature.” This theanthropic nature (which combines the word theos, meaning “God,” and anthropos, meaning “man”) gives us a Savior who is a hybrid, but under close scrutiny would be seen to be one who was neither God nor man. The Monophysite heresy obscured the distinction between God and man, giving us either a deified human or a humanized deity. It was against the backdrop of this heresy that the Chalcedonian Creed insisted Christ possesses two distinct natures, divine and human. He is vere homo (truly human) and vere Deus (truly divine, or truly God). These two natures are united in the mystery of the incarnation, but it is important according to Christian orthodoxy that we understand the divine nature of Christ is fully God and the human nature is fully human. So this one person who had two natures, divine and human, was perfectly suited to be our Mediator between God and men. An earlier church council, the Council of Nicea in 325, had declared that Christ came “for us men, and for our salvation.” That is, His mission was to reconcile the estrangement that existed between God and humanity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Logos took upon Himself a human nature, the Word became flesh to effect our redemption by fulfilling the role of the perfect Mediator between God and man.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is important to note that for Christ to be our perfect Mediator, the incarnation was not a union between God and an angel, or between God and a brutish creature such as an elephant or a chimpanzee. The reconciliation that was needed was between God and human beings. In His role as Mediator and the God-man, Jesus assumed the office of the second Adam, or what the Bible calls the last Adam. He entered into a corporate solidarity with our humanity, being a representative like unto Adam in his representation. Paul, for example, in his letter to the Romans gives the contrast between the original Adam and Jesus as the second Adam. In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Romans%205/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , verse 15, he says, “For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.” Here we observe the contrast between the calamity that came upon the human race because of the disobedience of the original Adam and the glory that comes to believers because of Christ’s obedience. Paul goes on to say in verse 19: “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” Adam functioned in the role of a mediator, and he failed miserably in his task. That failure was rectified by the perfect success of Christ, the God-man. We read later in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians these words: “And so it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%2015%3A45%E2%80%9349/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 15:45–49
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We see then the purpose of the first advent of Christ. The Logos took upon Himself a human nature, the Word became flesh to effect our redemption by fulfilling the role of the perfect Mediator between God and man. The new Adam is our champion, our representative, who satisfies the demands of God’s law for us and wins for us the blessing that God promised to His creatures if we would obey His law. Like Adam, we failed to obey the Law, but the new Adam, our Mediator, has fulfilled the Law perfectly for us and won for us the crown of redemption. That is the foundation for the joy of Christmas.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/born-virgin-mary" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/born-virgin-mary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 20 Dec 2022 18:46:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-20-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-19-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-19-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-19-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Grand Question
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The sea was no more.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Revelation%2021:1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Revelation 21:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We could scarcely rejoice at the thought of losing the glorious old ocean: The new heavens and the new earth are not attractive to our imagination if in fact there is literally going to be no great and wide sea with its gleaming waves and sandy shores. Should the text not be read as a metaphor tinged with the prejudice with which the oriental mind universally regarded the sea in the olden times?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A real physical world without a sea is a sad idea; it would be an iron ring without the sapphire that made it precious. There must be a spiritual meaning here. In the new dispensation there will be no division—the sea separates nations and divides peoples from each other. To John in Patmos the deep waters were like prison walls, shutting him out from his brethren and his work: There will be no such barriers in the world to come. Leagues of rolling billows lie between us and family members whom tonight we prayerfully remember, but in the bright world to which we go there will be unbroken fellowship for all the redeemed family. In this sense there shall be no more sea.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The sea is the emblem of change; with its ebbs and flows, its glassy smoothness and its mountainous billows, its gentle murmurs and its tumultuous roarings, it is never the same for very long. It is a slave of the fickle winds and the changing moon, and its instability is proverbial. In this earthly journey we have too much of this; earth is constant only in her inconstancy. But in our heavenly state all mournful change will be unknown, and with it every fear of storms that would wreck our hopes and drown our joys. The sea of glass glows with splendor unbroken by a wave. No tempest howls along the peaceful shores of paradise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Soon we will reach that happy land where partings and changes and storms shall be ended! Jesus will guide us there. Are we in Him or not? This is the grand question.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/19/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/19/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2022 20:58:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-19-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-16-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-16-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-16-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Help Us Understand
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You have never heard, you have never known, from of old your ear has not been opened.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Isaiah%2048:8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 48:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is painful to remember that to a certain degree this accusation may be laid at the door of believers, who too often are in some measure spiritually insensitive. We may well bemoan the fact that we do not hear the voice of God as we should: "You have never heard." There are gentle motions of the Holy Spirit in the soul that are unheeded by us: There are whisperings of divine command and of heavenly love that are equally unobserved by our dull minds. Sadly, we have been carelessly ignorant—"You have never known." There are spiritual matters that we ought to have seen, corruptions that have been allowed to develop unnoticed, tender affections that are being harmed like flowers in the frost, untended by us, glimpses of the Lord that we might have perceived if we had not barricaded the windows of our soul.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But we "have never known." As we think of this we are truly and deeply humbled. How we must adore the grace of God as we realize from the context that all of our folly and ignorance was foreknown by God, and notwithstanding that foreknowledge, He has still been pleased to deal with us in mercy! Ponder and admire the marvelous sovereign grace that could have chosen us in the sight of all this! Wonder at the price that was paid for us when Christ knew what we would be!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He who hung upon the cross foresaw us as unbelieving, backsliding, cold of heart, indifferent, careless, lax in prayer, and yet He said, "I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Because you are precious in My eyes and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life." How wonderful and glorious is this redemption when we think how sinful we are! Holy Spirit, give us from now on a hearing ear and an understanding heart!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/16/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/16/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2022 21:57:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-16-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-15-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-15-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-15-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More Blessed to Receive than Give
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If Jesus shows up and you are a sinner, ‘tis more blessed to receive than to give.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The season of Advent is upon us and we are once again involved with all the requisite plans and preparations for celebrating Christmas in just a few short days. Let me invite you to reflect on the necessary preparation to experience the best that Christmas has to offer. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke’s Gospel presents a most helpful perspective on how the Advent season should shape our Christmas preparations with the fascinating account of Jesus’ surprise visit to the home of Mary and Martha (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%2010%3A38%3A42/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 10:38:42
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Imagine how the visit might have unfolded if the sisters had received advance notice by some messenger’s announcement: Guess who’s coming to dinner? Do you think an advance notice would have made any difference on how these two sisters would have responded? Would Martha still have busied herself with dinner preparations? Would Mary still have sat in the living room at Jesus' feet? If you were with them, where would you be and why would you be there?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christmas is indeed the season for both giving and receiving, but often we get the comparative value of these reversed. This misunderstanding of parents - yes even Christian parents - has been passed on to children for generations. Perhaps you also were taught as a child that when it comes to gifts, ‘tis more blessed to give than to receive. If there is a conflict between giving and receiving - if a choice must be made - it is thought best to do the giving rather than receiving. The logic for this is obvious: giving is virtuous, receiving is not. Who can argue with that? Moreover, if the choice between the two involves very important people, say Jesus; then perhaps it is even more virtuous to give than receive. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            If there is a conflict between giving and receiving - if a choice must be made - it is thought best to do the giving rather than receiving. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We might imagine that this was Martha’s conviction when Jesus made a surprise visit to her house. She frantically rattled her pots and pans in the kitchen trying to provide Jesus a good meal on very short notice. And to make matters worse, she was not getting any help from her bump-on-the-log, do-nothing sister. Confident that Jesus shared her perspective about Mary, she implored Jesus: Tell her to help me! To Martha’s shock, however, Jesus did not share her concern. “Mary has chosen the good portion [meaning the better part] and it will not be taken from her” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%2010%3A42/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 10:42
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is important to understand both the point Jesus is making and also the point he is not making. Jesus is not questioning that the greater virtue is serving or giving to others. Rather he is indicating two things. First, he is indicating that when Jesus shows up, he is always the host, because he is the Lord of Hosts. he is the Suffering Servant who has come into this world to serve, not to be served. And secondly, his indication to Martha that her sister Mary has chosen the better part - to receive Jesus and his Word - implies something very important for us to remember, especially during the Advent season: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If Jesus shows up and you are a sinner, ‘tis more blessed to receive than to give. And, of course, both were the case with Mary and Martha, and both are the case with each of us this Christmas season and every season for that matter. During Advent, the matter of giving and receiving has everything to do with appropriate preparation for the arrival of Jesus. Jesus’ rebuke of Martha was not a denial about the virtue of giving. Giving is indeed virtuous behavior. It is the essence of exercising our faith, living for others by giving in our vocational pursuits. Our Lord’s point however is this: virtuous behavior contributes nothing to overcome our problem of sin and death. Virtuous behavior will not reconcile us with our Heavenly Father. It will not grant us the forgiveness of sins. It will not overcome the sharpness of death, nor will it merit a happy forever. Indeed, all our giving and serving, even to Jesus, renders no blessings that can overcome any aspect of our problem of evil. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Our Lord’s point however is this: virtuous behavior contributes nothing to overcome our problem of sin and death. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What can we learn then from Mary as we would prepare for receiving Jesus this Christmas? What can we learn from Jesus’ unexpected visit about how to order our lives this Advent season to prepare for the coming of Christ? 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Follow Mary’s example (and Jesus’ approval of it) and do what may be the most difficult thing this busy time of year: do nothing! Stop and provide some time for doing nothing. Stop all your hustle and bustle in the kitchen, at the shopping mall, at Amazon, at whatever. Put down your lists of what to do and what to give. Stop being frantic about so few days left until Christmas. Rather, during this Advent season, rest yourself at the feet of Jesus in his Word, and sit yourself at his meal, doing nothing but getting ready to receive. Get ready to be served by the coming Immanuel, God-with-us. Get ready for the receiving of Christmas. Get ready to open again your gifts of grace and mercy and be amazed and thrilled that he has come to give you just what you need: forgiveness, life, and salvation. Sit down to his prepared meal, the body and blood of the Lamb of God who has taken away the sins of the world. Feast on the Lamb and know that there is more where that came from in preparation for the Great Feast to come. And then smile at him and at one another during this most inconvenient time to do nothing. And, let us say to our children, Christmas is coming! And that means that Jesus is coming and because that is so, it will be more blessed to receive than to give!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles//more-blessed-to-receive-than-to-give" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles//more-blessed-to-receive-than-to-give
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 15 Dec 2022 22:43:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-15-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-14-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-14-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-14-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Familiarity...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s said that familiarity breeds contempt. Christmas celebrations can at first fill us with awe. But with the passing of the years, we can become indifferent and sometimes even cynical about them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whenever familiarity produces contempt, we are potentially in danger. We can disengage and become weary and cynical. Amidst the familiar trappings of Christmas, it’s easy to become blind and deaf to the overwhelming significance of the humility of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How many of us have become so familiar with the account of Jesus’ birth that its reality and true meaning no longer touches our hearts. We forget that it fulfilled God’s promise made seven centuries before, that a young woman would bear a son whose name would be ‘Immanuel’ – God with us (Isaiah 7:14).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How would we respond if we celebrated Christmas only once every ten years?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s important to think about this, for Christmas celebrates the birth of one who stands unique in history. We see in the Gospel records the integrity of his character, his compassion for the needy, the profundity yet simplicity of his teaching, and his extraordinary powers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hegel, the German philosopher observed, ‘One of the lessons of history is that we don’t learn from history’. Secular progressivism’s outright denial of the reality of the uniqueness of Christianity’s founder is one of the tragedies of our age. Jesus Christ is not just great: he is goodness incarnate. His voice is the voice our world desperately needs to hear and heed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, every generation needs to hear or rediscover the Gospel truth. Furthermore, it is up to all of us who believe to play our part in ensuring that God’s gospel is effectively passed on to the younger generations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we endeavor to do this it’s very easy to forget the lessons of the past. We’re tempted to ask, ‘Is God really in control?’ ‘Does he really care?’ ‘Will his Spirit continue to open blind eyes and unstop deaf ears?’ Has he left us alone to fend for ourselves?’ ‘Is there any hope for the future?’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the time of Isaiah the prophet, it seems that these kinds of questions were in the mind of King Ahaz when he was confronted by the Assyrian threat on his northern border.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Into this situation Isaiah spoke: ‘Keep calm Ahaz. God will give you a sign – any sign, all you have to do is ask’ (Isaiah 7: 10).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Ahaz was not interested in any sign. Even though God had given him this special offer, Ahaz refused. Second Kings, chapter 15 reveals that Ahaz chose to do it his way: he paid tribute to the Assyrian king, hoping the danger would disappear. Ahaz turned his back on the familiar – what was known from Israel’s past. Prayer and listening to God’s Word were not part of his response.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We can be like Ahaz. We ignore the enormous influence for good that Christianity has had on the western world and look for human solutions, not God’s solutions to the challenges we face. We have allowed a liberal, secular progressivism to drive our thinking. And tragically it’s happening in many churches.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet what does the current wisdom of the world have to offer? In its apparent care for the needy, secular progressivism appears to resemble Christianity in that it encourages love and compassion, tolerance and the relief of poverty and injustice. But at its center it is myopic and cruel because it teaches that life as we know it is the only life. It ignores the lessons of history revealing that God not only exists, but that he has acted in great humility to serve us in our greatest need: our need to be rescued from our self-absorption.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For the first Christians, the incarnation and the events of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God were real. Their familiarity with these truths didn’t weaken their faith but enhanced it. Their lives were rooted in God’s promises.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The daily insecurities of the decaying Roman Empire with its organized persecutions didn’t affect their basic confidence. They looked for the day when Christ would return.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, they heeded Jesus’ words: ‘Stay awake at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man’ (Luke 21:36).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Familiarity with the Christmas story can breed an indifference to the miracle of the incarnation and the uniqueness of Jesus. Are you praying that the Spirit of God will keep your faith vital and fresh, confident in God’s promises?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are you also praying that God’s Spirit will awaken hearts that have grown cold towards him because familiarity has bred contempt? Recent research shows that one-third of those who have not been in church for some time would accept an invitation to go to church. Christmas is a great time to invite them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Lord, we beseech you, pour out your grace into our hearts; so that, knowing the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, we may be brought to the glory of his resurrection by his cross and passion. We ask this through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE4DDB5whyk" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus Shall Reign from Keith and Kristyn Getty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/familiarity/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/familiarity/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 14 Dec 2022 17:41:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-14-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-13-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-13-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-13-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Christian and Joy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “The Holy Spirit has exhorted the faithful to continue clapping their hands for joy until the advent of the promised Redeemer,” wrote John Calvin in a comment on Psalm 47:12. Paul would heartily concur! Writing from a prison cell from which he had no certain knowledge of escaping other than to his execution, joy is what came to mind. Joy is what the epistle to the Philippians is all about. So much is Philippians about joy that George B. Duncan once referred to it as “the life of continual rejoicing.” The opposite of joy is misery, and miserable is something we are not meant to be. The Reformers caught the centrality of joy in the affections of Christians when they insisted that our chief goal in life is to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever” (WSC, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Q.%201/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Q. 1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christians are tempted, of course, to be discouraged and depressed by the force of overwhelming circumstances. But in such circumstances, we must tell ourselves that we have no right to feel the way we do! Paul, who knew what it was to be in prison, to be beaten and spat upon, to be cold shouldered and ignored, commands us to rejoice, despite what we may feel: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%204%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 4:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joy Portrayed
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul was never one to ask others to do what he did not do himself. That is why, throughout the record of his life, we can detect his joy even in the most difficult and testing of situations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Incarcerated for obedience to the gospel, the Apostle is denied his freedom and dignity. He may well be dealing with personal resentment of his circumstances. Certainly, the Philippians were at pains to understand the wisdom of it all: that the most useful servant God had was cooped up in prison. Some were questioning the wisdom or sovereignty of God. Some may have been questioning both!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul’s feelings may well have dictated that depression, resentment, or anger was the fitting response. Instead, the Apostle looks for the good in his circumstances. As a result of his imprisonment there were certain members of Caesar’s palace guard who had been exposed to the gospel. Paul may be in prison but “the word of God is not bound” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Tim.%202%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Tim. 2:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). For the Apostle, the evangelism of the praetorian guard was worth any suffering on his part. Despite his difficult predicament, Paul was able to rejoice because he perceived another agenda, one which took into consideration greater motives than his own immediate comfort.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul had enemies who were determined to do him wrong. Shockingly, they were fellow preachers of the gospel who were envious of Paul’s success and popularity. They preached so as to aggravate Paul’s sufferings, supposing that by their actions they would “afflict me in my imprisonment” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%201%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 1:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Some were evidently quite pleased to see the Apostle receive what they considered to be what he deserved.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul was at the mercy of the Roman judiciary. In the very first chapter he had spoken of the possibility of death (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%201%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 1:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Later, he enlarges on it by suggesting, “I am to be poured out as a drink offering” (2:17). It is a realistic acknowledgement on the Apostle’s part that his toils and suffering could lead to martyrdom. Is the Apostle downcast? Is he resentful? Not at all! “I am glad and rejoice with you all,” he adds.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joy Incarnate
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Can we define with greater clarity what this joy is from what Paul writes in Philippians? Two theological truths bring the source of joy into focus. First, Joy is the outworking of our union with Christ. God created us, and then re-created us in Christ, so as to form deep and lasting relationships; they are the source of our greatest joys. But no relationship surpasses our fellowship with Jesus Christ in the gospel. Paul began his letter to the Philippians by reminding his Christian readers of their relationship to Jesus Christ: they were “in Christ” (1:1). By doing so, Paul underlined a fundamental truth. Faith, as Jesus reminded His disciples, is a believing “into” Christ (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2014%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 14:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Faith involves a union in which we totally depend upon the resources of another. This truth was elaborated upon in Jesus’ horticultural analogy: He is the vine, we are the branches (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2015/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Jesus assures His disciples: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2015%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 15:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It is not clear whether Jesus meant to say that believers were the recipients of joy or the objects of joy. Both are probably intended. Christ restores to us—who have lost all joy—the joy He finds in us! And as He sees us bearing the kind of fruit we ought to, including, of course, joy (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gal.%205%3A22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal. 5:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), it makes Him joyful too! Perhaps now we see the importance of joy in our lives: for it makes the heart of our Savior glad!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joy springs from knowing the value of what God has given us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Second, joy flows from the taste of the sweetness of grace. The answer to misery is to remind ourselves of where we would be apart from the grace of God. “Grace, tis a charming sound,” wrote Philip Doddridge, thereby echoing what Christians have always felt about God’s dealings with us. Grace is the opening and closing salutation of this letter (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%201%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 1:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%204%3A23/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 4:23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And following the opening salutation he tells the Philippians of how joyful he felt whenever he thought about them, adding that the reason for his joy was that “you are all partakers with me of grace” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%201%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 1:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Christians find their joy in the way God has dealt with them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joy springs from knowing the value of what God has given us. When Paul became a Christian something happened to him: his assessment of the value he placed on the things of this world changed. The grace of God became the object of his chief delight. By comparison, the world’s baubles he reckoned by the Greek word skybala—sensitively rendered rubbish in the English Standard Version, but “dung” is more to the point (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%203%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 3:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). By comparison to what God had given him—a righteousness which is not of his own—Paul is constrained to want to know more and more of this wonderful grace of God (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%203%3A7-10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 3:7-10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joy Commanded
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two things follow: First, in as far as we are able, we must learn to control our feelings. There are various kinds of depression, to be sure, and some are the result of complex physical and psychological disorders. But there are times when we are spiritually depressed for no good reason. There are times when the best thing to do with our feelings is to challenge them: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2042%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 42:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Far too often we spend our days in misery and gloom, all because we are not taking what we know to be true about God and His control over our lives seriously. We must pray and ask God for strength to overcome our depressive, melancholy states. There is such a thing as a will that will not bend to God’s. We can become hardened, refusing to see the good hand of God. It is a cancer that will destroy us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Second, no matter what our circumstances may be, we must seek for the interpretation that forces us to rejoice. We are to “rejoice in our sufferings” too (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%205%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 5:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). I think of the story of Horatio Spafford, a businessman in Chicago in 1873 who lost his entire business in the Chicago fires. Sending his wife and four daughters across to England on the SS. Ville de Havre, he was to learn that the vessel struck another (the Lochearn) in the mid-Atlantic with the loss of 261 lives including his four daughters. Mrs. Spafford, who had been rescued, sent him a cable that read: “Survived alone.” Boarding the next available ship to meet her, Horatio was to be told by the captain of the vessel of the very spot where his daughters had drowned. It was then that he wrote these lines:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When peace like a river attendeth my way,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           When sorrows like sea-billows roll,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is well, it is well with my soul.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That is the way God wants us to live. We have no right to expect that our lives are going to be free from trouble. But in every circumstance, if we are the Lord’s people, we are assured of God’s care and providence. He is working out every detail. There are no mistakes with Him (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%208/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           :32ff.). Every moment of our existence is cause enough for joy: the good and the bad together should integrate to form a hallelujah symphony to the praise of almighty God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/christian-and-joy" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/christian-and-joy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2022 21:32:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-13-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Boise State University Game Summary - 12/3/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-boise-state-university-game-summary-12-3-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelist: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/grubb_rod"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rod Grubb
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Boise State University 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZU40xS6nAwxt8TKvw1XbZ9jOJyotflFnJiUSaCeaPa4Ne56de7Wvdvzpm7fDqFwUnDiqcZqAH33qoIYsEHF_pGkFj2lzsS0PYhPxgxwUrhk1jCm2UTBJ1a1YHUMBZI34VW36ffU0pr7niu8QOHEsnqK8Q34UAqrWW90s_-uRIG-gA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (vs. Fresno State)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           12/3/2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For this afternoon’s Mountain West Conference (MWC) Championship game at Albertsons Stadium, my partner Jason Morse and I enjoyed blue clear skies and crisp and cold (in the shade) temps between 28 and 34 degrees. Not bad for early December.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was Jason’s very first outreach, and he was handing out tracts like a champ He had been asking me for the past few weeks when he could join us, but (logically) it didn’t work out until today. Anyways, he really had (has) a desire to share his faith and to make Christ known. Very very encouraging! Just goes to show ya, that it’s your heart (not so much your head) that the Lord desires to use you in His work.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Together, we were blessed to pass out around 500 Million Dollar Bill (MDB) tracts. After about an hour of passing out tracts on University Drive (adjacent to the stadium south parking lot) at Grant Avenue, we moved right up next to the stadium and began to open-air preach the “reason for the season.” Before preaching, I was blessed to share the gospel with a Fresno State fan (and retired law enforcement officer) Barnabus Torres.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He was very appreciative of our efforts and thankful for meeting us and getting to know us. He noted that this was not a chance encounter but he literally stated that it was a divinely orchestrated meeting. I so agreed with him. I also gave him my ministry business card as he and his family are seriously considering moving to the Treasure Valley (Boise area) sometime soon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For my open-air, I read Messianic prophecy from Isaiah 9:6; 53:1-12; and the biblical meaning of Christmas from John 1:1-18; and wrapped up with the gospel “reason” for Christmas. PTL, we faced no official opposition and many many people gave me visual (thumbs up) appreciation and verbal approval and gratitude. Yay Jesus!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jason and I stayed right up to kickoff at 2pm. I found out later that Boise lost the MWC Championship game to Fresno 28-16. All in all, the Broncos had a really fine year, finishing with a 9-4 overall record and an 8-1 conference record.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our final football outreach opportunity this season will be the Famous Potato Bowl (FPB) game at Albertsons Stadium, on Tuesday December 20th, from 11:30 to the 1:30 kickoff.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for everyone who was impacted with the gospel today and our for our final SFOI outreach this season on the 20th. That the Lord would provide favorable weather, abundant gospel opportunities and more laborers (Matt. 9:38). You are all certainly welcome to join us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Boise-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Boise-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2022 17:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-boise-state-university-game-summary-12-3-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Boise+State+University+SFOI1000+Rod+Grubb+12-3.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Boise State University Game Summary - 11/25/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-boise-state-university-game-summary-11-25-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelist: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/grubb_rod"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rod Grubb
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Boise State University 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVUFH7SPttdtEjbeXfjO1paPD4j1pB_ckuEP8XFOezH0H1XHX7UeMqtlSBOnHcjit5qcGAWnk9mumITuWri5XtVXNNExjJiaafH-r2hURu5yjexiwCidmjYpLJnCX-xQHx2KKw56bJuJq9lSC7qXh-MqqUFsXck0vn9a4HgzgkdJw&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (vs. Utah State)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           11/25/2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Due to holiday football TV scheduling, today’s Utah State/BSU game had a 10am kickoff. That meant that our SFOI outreach team needed to be on the ground at 8am to have a 2-hour outreach. Thankfully, it wasn’t as cold as it could have been with temps between 27 and 34 degrees and mostly clear skies. Also, the early start time helped us find a street parking spot about a block and a half from the stadium vs. 5-8 blocks normally.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today’s SFOI team consisted of Robert and Shane Viera, Ben and Thomas Marcham, and myself. Since we have been moved around the last couple of games by BSU Security and Boise PD, we opted to begin tracting along the public sidewalk adjacent to the stadium along University Dr. After an hour (around 9am), we went up to the stadium near the visiting team buses and began open air preaching and continued passing out tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise be to the Lord, we encountered NO official opposition in the very same place we had been ejected three weeks ago! That’s not to say we faced no opposition, just none from the event authorities. One guy was very vocal that we shouldn’t open air because “everyone here is a Christian.” Of course he couldn’t be bothered to stay and discuss his position.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another objected vocally to the 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 reference to homosexuals. Again, not willing to stay and examine the passage. And yet another, openly walked away, loudly mocking the preaching of Scripture. May the Lord give no rest or peace those who openly (and secretly) opposed to God’s Word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All in all, it was a very blessed outreach. Approximately, 1,500 tracts[1][2][3] were passed out! I had no gospel conversations other than to explain that the million dollar bills were actually the real “reason for the season”— the gospel of Jesus Christ!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Next up, is the Mountain West Football Championship game at Albertsons Stadium. BSU will be hosting the Fresno State Bulldogs next Saturday afternoon (12/3 at 2pm MT). And beyond that, the very last game of the season, will be the 26th Annual Famous Potato Bowl game at— you guessed it— Albertsons Stadium!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for everyone who was impacted with the gospel, these upcoming games, favorable weather and treatment from those in authority, and “…pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:38). Y’all are welcome to join us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           BTW, BSU topped USU today 42-23, on “the blue,” in front of 31,402 fans! WTG Broncos
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Resources:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [1] Christmas Million Dollar Bill
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Flivingwaters.com%2Fstore%2Fgospel-tracts%2Fchristmas-million-dollar-bill%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0lIDSxPtBLUgzpQA9iZcY0pq-4-8bkxtq4H_almQ5Ez5Cm4JkUcwZvZnk&amp;amp;h=AT2N6nUS46F01lKGDbfcSuIMDXUH72l9ccxZWWArLbasTRbd-RtWag_VITc_NEtsLsqvnNROr3wTSpfPmTgoM0XSdlBfGOhbKsHipY_HAMHLe089IXReONUqcEaufqDuEPqwGck&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;amp;c[0]=AT1EJqBAEAFs4tFsbI5UyYGzSkBsMmxG7V5fFdY7w6zJeDFDqgaQUBslxyffee2KxlTwrWr7_Ss-0RgXXaM5uI5R2korIbcjfK_gCBYmMV_uaOVtL7uacb5dKxPZPwjtD0hgcILQNZ8plN6nnexBODt0QK_lbjmX15C-lu6PHhTh9qX-WxXi" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://livingwaters.com/.../christmas-million-dollar-bill/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [2] Christmas Cash
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tractplanet.com%2FChristmas-Cash_p_121.html%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0lwFjkhuvpLtcaJKPiA0kzI1EEmHQUNqiPVVWA-6QaB_LJGEovYpasqWc&amp;amp;h=AT32sIe0u8kQ0JEW60iI2oh5gcUxz0uLLGJGBoYFA6cu7zsrTFp9eXVvInieFOh4qhge0YG_2Apz1NDfIPAwoxrCTGT3zDBdvBL0tbqXGAyV42SqpGX1vR13p_Y6EYMPainJGxM&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;amp;c[0]=AT1EJqBAEAFs4tFsbI5UyYGzSkBsMmxG7V5fFdY7w6zJeDFDqgaQUBslxyffee2KxlTwrWr7_Ss-0RgXXaM5uI5R2korIbcjfK_gCBYmMV_uaOVtL7uacb5dKxPZPwjtD0hgcILQNZ8plN6nnexBODt0QK_lbjmX15C-lu6PHhTh9qX-WxXi" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.tractplanet.com/Christmas-Cash_p_121.html
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           [3] Are You a Good Person?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Flivingwaters.com%2Fstore%2Fgospel-tracts%2Fare-you-a-good-person-comic%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR26vsen-1glta4ZmUc9A-gSZaDd-51LaEkGaTjj9PVlh3Fvpnr0AKvIVJY&amp;amp;h=AT1U_d8-eSotWgB0iNJxgHZd3bDFXqESV-oSmc3pQtU-o2f1NvA-2s3-lUaurttT35KuUk3qrN_YlnF7zl4DRMstdf0ZHtaXzM3cwcf0wGfgGanCObX4h2pM49BCwx52y34B_bM&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;amp;c[0]=AT1EJqBAEAFs4tFsbI5UyYGzSkBsMmxG7V5fFdY7w6zJeDFDqgaQUBslxyffee2KxlTwrWr7_Ss-0RgXXaM5uI5R2korIbcjfK_gCBYmMV_uaOVtL7uacb5dKxPZPwjtD0hgcILQNZ8plN6nnexBODt0QK_lbjmX15C-lu6PHhTh9qX-WxXi" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://livingwaters.com/.../are-you-a-good-person-comic/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Boise-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Boise-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2022 17:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-boise-state-university-game-summary-11-25-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Boise+State+University+SFOI1000+Rod+Grubb+11-25.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-12-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-12-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-12-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God's Ways are Everlasting
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They have dealt faithlessly with the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Hosea%205:7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hosea 5:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Believer, here is a sad truth! You are the beloved of the Lord, redeemed by blood, called by grace, preserved in Christ Jesus, accepted in the Beloved, on your way to heaven, and yet you "have dealt faithlessly" with God, your best friend; faithlessly with Jesus, to whom you belong; faithlessly with the Holy Spirit, by whom you have been born again to life eternal! How faithless you have been in the matter of vows and promises. Do you remember your love in the early days, that happy time, the springtime of your spiritual life? How closely you held to your Master then, saying, "He will never charge me with indifference; my feet will never grow slow in the way of His service; I will not allow my heart to wander after other loves; in Him is blessing I could ever enjoy. I give up everything for my Lord Jesus' sake." Has it been so? Sadly if conscience speaks, it will say, "He who promised so much has performed so little. Prayer has frequently been slurred—it has been short but not sweet, brief but not fervent.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Communion with Christ has been forgotten. Instead of a heavenly mind, there have been earthly preoccupations, foolish vanities, and evil thoughts. Instead of service, there has been disobedience, instead of fervency lukewarmness, instead of patience petulance, instead of faith self-reliance; and as a soldier of the cross there has been cowardice, disobedience, and desertion, to a very shameful degree."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "They have dealt faithlessly." Faithless to Jesus! What words shall be used in denouncing this? Words are cheap: Let our penitent thoughts condemn the sin that is so surely in us. Faithless to Your sacrifice, O Jesus! Forgive us, and let us not sin again! How shameful to be faithless to Him who never forgets us, but who to this day stands with our names engraven on His breastplate before the eternal throne.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/12/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/12/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2022 17:29:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-12-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Illinois State University Game Summary - 11/19/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-illinois-state-university-game-summary-11-19-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/nelson_jacob"&gt;&#xD;
      
           J
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/nelson_jacob"&gt;&#xD;
      
           acob Nelson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           11/19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Saturday morning was a cool and about 20 degrees outside Hancock stadium in Bloomington, IL. I was joined by long time SFOI veteran Ken Hisle. We preached and handed out tracts to a number of fans on the blustery morning, attending the Redbirds’ season finale. We received encouragement, disappointed glares, and apathy as the fans paraded into the stadium. Fans heard the name of Christ Jesus. They were told of His deity, perfect life, death, and resurrection. They were admonished and pleaded with to turn from sin and trust in Jesus. It was a great Privilege and I extend my gratitude to the Lord and SFOI for encouraging me in the ministry of the Word. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Illinois-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Illinois-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sun, 11 Dec 2022 17:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-illinois-state-university-game-summary-11-19-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Illinois+State+University+Outreach+SFOI1000+11-19.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 North Carolina State University Game Summary - 11/12/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-north-carolina-state-university-game-summary-11-12-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/waltz_tommy"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tommy Waltz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           11/12 - Joseph Toy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            -  We had twelve on our team. Passed out about 400 tracts a few good conversations. Bryan Brady, Zack Brady, Peter Firth, Kevin Creasy, Darell Davis, Paul Infranco, Lucas, Brian, Samuel Morris, Stephen Morris, Joseph Toy, and one other young man.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/North-Carolina-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/North-Carolina-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 10 Dec 2022 17:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-north-carolina-state-university-game-summary-11-12-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/3+North+Carolina+State+University+SFOI1000+11-12-22.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-9-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-9-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-9-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The God of Peace Gives Perfect Peace
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My people will abide in a peaceful habitation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Isaiah%2032:18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 32:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peace and rest do not belong to the unregenerate; they are the peculiar possession of the Lord's people, and of them only. The God of Peace gives perfect peace to those whose hearts are fixed upon Him. Before the Fall, God gave man the Garden of Eden as his quiet resting-place; sadly, how quickly sin spoiled the fair abode of innocence. In the day of universal wrath when the Flood swept away a guilty race, the chosen family was quietly secured in the resting-place of the ark, which floated them from the old condemned world into the new earth of the rainbow and the covenant, symbolizing Jesus, the ark of our salvation. Israel rested safely beneath the blood-sprinkled dwellings of Egypt when the destroying angel smote the firstborn; and in the wilderness the shadow of the pillar of cloud and the flowing rock gave the weary pilgrims sweet repose.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today we rest in the promises of our faithful God, knowing that His words are full of truth and power; we rest in the doctrines of His Word, which are consolation itself; we rest in the covenant of His grace, which is a haven of delight. We are more highly favored than David in the cave or Jonah beneath his plant, for no one can invade or destroy our shelter. The person of Jesus is the quiet resting-place of His people, and when we draw near to Him in the breaking of the bread, the hearing of the Word, the searching of the Scriptures, prayer, or praise, we find that any form of approach to Him brings peace to our spirits.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I hear the words of love, I gaze upon the blood,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           I see the mighty sacrifice, and I have peace with God.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           'Tis everlasting peace, sure as Jehovah's name,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           'Tis stable as His steadfast throne, forevermore the same:
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The clouds may go and come, and storms may sweep my sky,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           This blood-sealed friendship changes not, the cross is ever nigh.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/09/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/09/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 09 Dec 2022 21:45:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-9-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-8-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-8-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-8-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Advent...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I’ve been intrigued by the promotion of Advent calendars, online and in large retail stores this year. Looking into it, I find it is becoming a pre-Christmas accompaniment, advertising wine, coffee pods and chocolate, lego (for Advent) and, of course the calendars themselves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Back in November 2016, Ysenda Maxtone Graham drew attention in The Spectator UK to the season of Advent. She spoke of Advent as ‘a season of death, judgment, heaven and hell’ (November 26, 2016).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘I relish the frisson of gloom,’ she wrote, the ‘foreboding and fear of judgment you get at Advent, alongside the hope. The Holly and the Ivy is all very well, but it’s the minor chord at the end of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel that I crave.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘More goose-pimples erupt in the naves and transepts of our cathedrals during the Advent service, than at any other in the liturgical year’, she comments. ‘It’s the mixture of bitterness and sweetness that does it,…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was Isaiah the prophet, writing in the 8th century BC, who was amongst the first of the prophets to speak, not only of the first coming of God’s King (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7), but also of his second coming (Isaiah 11:1-9).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s important we think about this. Often we’re not aware of elements of the Christian heritage that touch people in our wider society. Christmas retains an ongoing point of connection; now we’re seeing an interest that extends back into Advent.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Given this interest let me consider one of the readings set for this Advent season – for this Sunday, December 11.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Book of Isaiah, chapter 35, verses 1 and 2 read: The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A brooding theme in Isaiah chapters 1 through 39 is God’s impending judgment of his people. In 586BC the Babylonian forces would destroy the city of Jerusalem and take its people into exile. But Isaiah chapter 35 shines a light in the darkness, bringing news of God’s promise of a new day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah’s poetry is powerful as he likens the experience of joy and singing at the coming of the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God, to our response when flowers burst into bloom in parched lands after refreshing rain.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is a vision that inspires courage and fearlessness: Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God..’ (35:3-4a).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Isaiah 35 also sounds a warning note. Because God is holy, his very nature means that he must judge what is unholy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In chapter 35, verse 4b we read: ‘…He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense…’ We would be happier to overlook this aspect of God’s character. We’d much prefer to listen to and pass on a message of blessing – of justice without judgment, of salvation without a cross.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, the wonderful news is that the nature of the God of the Bible is always to have mercy. Isaiah continues: ‘…He will come and save you’ (35:4c).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We all know that despite the incredible advances in science and technology, humanity continues to make a mess of relationships – between the nations and amongst families. It is self-evident we have no power of ourselves to save ourselves: spiritually we are blind and deaf, lame and mute (Isaiah 35:5-6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The wonderful news is that God himself promises a future for us. He will build a highway for his people into his very presence! He will bring us to our true and lasting home where there will be joy and gladness… Sorrow and sighing shall flee far away (35:8, 10).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah uses the language of redeemed and ransomed of the Lord (35:9-10) to speak of everyone who is brought into God’s presence. These words look back to the rescue from Egypt; they also look forward to the saving work of Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is also something here that we miss. The highway to God is called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it… (35:8). Having been rescued we are now called upon to work at the quality of life that reflects the holiness of God. Paul the Apostle puts it this way: we all… beholding the glory of the Lord, will be transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah, chapter 35 is a great reading for Advent. We see in it another facet of Isaiah’s vision of the glory of the Lord as he points us to the glorious day of the final coming of the Lord. We can drink it in and take new courage as it speaks to us of the everlasting joy and gladness we will then know.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Surely this is news we will want family and friends to know – so they too will see glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The interest in Advent reveals the deceit of a secular progressivism insisting that life now is all there is. This is cruel, denying the reality of a day when perfect justice will be done. It also rejects what, deep down in our hearts we know: eternity exists (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As I write, I am praying that we will all have a renewed commitment to shape our priorities, decisions, and relationships in the light of Jesus’ return. Yes, he will return – perhaps when we least expect it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, will you join me in praying for five people who don’t yet know Jesus? You may want to take the opportunity to invite them to church, as well as to coffee to explore the first eighteen sentences of John’s Gospel using TheWord121 (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.theword121.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           www.theword121.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). If others don’t hear, how can they be prepared to meet God’s King?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty God, we pray that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered through your guidance that your people may joyfully serve you in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/advent-3/www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDYjn-YdnD4" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            from Keith and Kristyn Getty.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/advent-3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/advent-3/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 09 Dec 2022 01:16:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-8-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-7-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-7-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-7-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We Know All the Signs
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By his first Advent in the flesh, through his second Advent with bread and wine and water and Word, we await his third Advent at the end.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And he told them a parable: “‘Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away’” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%2021%3A25-33/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 21:25-33
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Martin Luther was once asked what he’d do if he knew the world was ending tomorrow. He said he’d plant a tree. Great reply, right? Too bad he probably never said it. It’s still a great line, though.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What would you do if you knew the world was ending tomorrow? It’s the stuff of novels, movies, and songs. What would you do if the world was ending tomorrow?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I don’t know if the world is ending tomorrow, but the world is ending. It has been ending. It always will be ending until it ends. Then I will end, you will end, and everything will end. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Winter is here. You can feel it deep in your bones. We haven’t had the first big snow yet, but winter is here. When I’m not riding my bike in the cold, I am driving an old S-10 my wife recently bought, made in the year I graduated college. It has no heat. Sometimes I get on the bike to warm up. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We knew winter was coming, even though fall teased us this year. Winter came late, but we knew it was coming. All the signs were there, and in the Midwest, we know the signs well. And now winter is here, making our faces hurt when we go outside. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            The absolution is always the last thing, even as it is also our beginning. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My youngest son and I took the train to see my oldest son at college a few weeks ago. We went to a football game. They had just gotten the snow we’re still awaiting – and a lot of it. It was freezing. We had on our layers: hand and toe warmers, hats and gloves. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of my son’s friends joined us. As an international student, this is his first Midwestern winter. And this wintry Saturday was the day he picked for his first college football experience. He threw on a spring jacket – no hat, no gloves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My son, dressed like he was ready to rob a Siberian bank, told his friends to grab more layers but to no avail. I convinced him to take some hand warmers on the way to the stadium. Hopefully, they helped ease the coming purgatory a little. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He and my sons went off to the student section. I got reports of serious shivering at halftime, very serious shivering. Thankfully, he survived. He toughed it out. He made it, but he learned about winter the hard way. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We don’t need to learn about the Last Day like that. It need not sneak up on us. This isn’t our first snow, our first day below freezing. We know all the signs. Even more, the Last Day has already been done to us. We’ve been there and done that. We don’t have to wait to be judged. We’ve been judged already. We’ve been judged and found mercy. We’ve been clothed for the season. We’ve put on Christ. We are baptized. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” God’s Word is always the last word, and this Word is a word of grace. The absolution is always the last thing, even as it is also our beginning. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our team lost that football game. It lost in gut-wrenching fashion, as my favorite teams tend to do. We sat in snow, in near-zero temperatures, with twenty mile-per-hour winds, through two overtimes. We left cold and disappointed. Had they won, I don’t think the cold would have had much bite at all. Victory can do that—victory and hot chocolate. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            By his first Advent in the flesh, through his second Advent with bread and wine and water and Word, we await his third Advent at the end. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Last Day is coming, but for you, it’s already come. Christ has won. Winter is here, as it is every year. It’s cold, and soon it will be snowy, but that cold need not bite too much. There’s no overtime. The victory is ours. Our time is complete. And now there’s just waiting, layered up with the love of Christ and his mercy, for our neighbor and for us. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus said, “Your redemption is drawing near,” and it is, but it’s also already accomplished. It’s done, even as it is coming, in Christ our yesterday, today, and forever. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What would you do if you knew the world was ending tomorrow? That’s up to you, but there’s no reason not to plant a tree. You can live like you’d live any other day because every day for you is a day in the light of that last day, with his kingdom ever near in Word and Sacrament. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By his first Advent in the flesh, through his second Advent with bread and wine and water and Word, we await his third Advent at the end, which is really just the beginning, made ready through his always final word to receive what is already accomplished. Amen. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles//we-know-all-the-signs" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles//we-know-all-the-signs
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 07 Dec 2022 18:43:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-7-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-6-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-6-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-6-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saint Nicholas and the Santa Claus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It might surprise many today to find out that Saint Nicholas (spoiler alert) is a real person after all. Is he the white-bearded man with a red suit, a cap, and a sleigh?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not quite, but he probably was bearded, did wear a hat, and did travel in horse-drawn, not reindeer-drawn, transportation. The legend behind Santa Claus is Saint Nicholas, the fourth-century bishop of Myra. His hat was the bishop's mitre.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nicholas was born in modern day Turkey to a rather wealthy family. Losing his parents at a young age, Nicholas dedicated both his fortune and his life to the Christian church. Very quickly he was appointed the bishop of Myra, on the southern coast of modern day Turkey.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These were days of persecution for Christians. Roman Emperor Diocletian, who reigned from 284–305, hated Christians and stuffed Roman jails full of them. Bishop Nicholas spent the first few years of the fourth century in jail and faced routine beatings. In the next decade, Constantine legalized Christianity and Nicholas was set free.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As the legend goes, Bishop Nicholas was present at the Church’s First Ecumenical Council at Constantine’s summer palace in Nicea in 325. Hundreds of Bishops gathered there to refute the false views of Arius, a presbyter from Alexandria. Arius denied Christ’s deity. At one point while Arius was addressing the council, Nicholas’s rage got the better of him. According to some of his biographers, Nicholas stood up, crossed the floor to Arius, and promptly punched him in the face.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For the assault, Nicholas found himself back in jail again. The bishops deliberated his fate. Nicholas was repentant and sought forgiveness. After the Council, Constantine granted clemency and restored Bishop Nicholas to his post.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And at his post Bishop Nicholas diligently served. Over the course of his entire life he was known for being extremely generous. He was especially generous to children, regularly giving them gifts. Myra was a busy port city with ships and sailors coming and going. The ships went out of Myra’s port loaded with gifts and goods for the needy, all provided and packed on by Bishop Nicholas. His gifts went all around the Mediterranean world. As sailors went around the world, they took with them the stories of the generosity of Bishop Nicholas.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Interestingly enough, Saint Nicholas and his legend began in the early church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The year of Bishop Nicholas’s death is uncertain, but the month is firmly believed to be December. As the story of his generosity spread, the stories of his life grew and grew. He was becoming legendary. In the sixth century, a church was dedicated to him and named for him in Constantinople. His image was depicted more in the Middle Ages than any other except those of Christ and of Mary. No longer Bishop Nicholas, now he became Saint Nicholas, and his Feast Day would be December 6.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of the legends around Nicholas concerned his giving dowries to young poor girls so they would be able to marry. To reflect that legend, images of him carrying bags bulging with gold coins began to appear.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As his legend moved northward, the story takes an even more interesting turn. In Germany, the tradition arose of giving gifts to each other in the name of Saint Nicholas. So, too, in the Netherlands. The Dutch word for him became Sinterklaas. The German word eventually became Santa Claus. These celebrations of gift-giving occurred on December 6, the anniversary of his death. The gift of a gold coin was highly prized and showed great favor.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even Martin Luther would come to play a role in the legend. Luther wanted a Protestant alternative to the Roman Catholic practice of celebrating the Feast of Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus). Instead of giving gifts in the name of Santa Claus on December 6, Luther started the tradition of giving gifts in the name of the Christ child, Christkindl, on Christmas Eve. Perhaps in this we have an argument for Protestant kids everywhere as to why they should be allowed to open at least one present on Christmas Eve.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luther loved Christmas. He wanted it to be a celebration of giving around the supreme gift of the babe born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem. As he preached in 1530, “He who lies in the virgin's lap is our Savior . . . give thanks to God, who so loved you that he gave you a Savior.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christmas evolved from the word Christ Mass, the celebration of the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.ligonier.org/blog/incarnation-what-we-celebrate-christmas/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           incarnation of Christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , fixed by tradition as being on December 25. The word Luther coined, Christkindl, also evolved over the centuries. It would become Santa Claus’ other name, Kris Kringle. This effort of Luther’s to move away from the Santa Claus tradition inadvertently veered right toward it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So we have the story of Santa Claus. Interestingly enough, Saint Nicholas and his legend began in the early church. The stories wove their way through the Middle Ages, and they even made an appearance at the Reformation. Those stories still live with us today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/saint-nicholas-origins-santa-claus" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/saint-nicholas-origins-santa-claus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2022 22:19:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-6-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Circleville Pumpkin Show '22 Outreach Ministry Report - Testimony</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/circleville-pumpkin-show-22-outreach-ministry-report-testimony</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thousands of tracts handed out, good "one on ones," and very receptive crowd of pumpkin-goers!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Testimony+Circleville+Pumpkin+Show+Outreach+SFOI+what+is+an+evangelist.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/warren.marquardt?__cft__[0]=AZVczCel1yAcyYaTHcnroDv-lpj8evqiRXAU7dHWjdrx0yFhBjYNmmH4W4CJklCRD1mFFl7yxwMGxOnm6h0XuPB6p8nxlwlt4f6YXkBaCHSoUJH-BoIwMzI_8-M4GEr_Fanln9jvXs1MIYrV-Zli7MX0yiX3cRGzk6GUge63CL5Qu2kH9m2Ih8zPUXQoRehy_-w&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise report! Day 2 of Gospel Invasion at the Pumpkin Show outreach. So many wonderful testimonies of what God did both days. So many photos and stories to share, so little time. Just know that prayers were answered, thousands more tracts were handed out, 2 evangelists preached open air for the first time, and God was glorified!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/circleville"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/circleville
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2022 17:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/circleville-pumpkin-show-22-outreach-ministry-report-testimony</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Testimony+Circleville+Pumpkin+Show+Outreach+SFOI+what+is+an+evangelist.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Circleville Pumpkin Show '22 Outreach Ministry Report - Angela</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/circleville-pumpkin-show-22-outreach-ministry-report-angela</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thousands of tracts handed out, good "one on ones," and very receptive crowd of pumpkin-goers!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Angela+Circleville+Pumpkin+Show+Outreach+SFOI+what+is+an+evangelist.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/warren.marquardt?__cft__[0]=AZVczCel1yAcyYaTHcnroDv-lpj8evqiRXAU7dHWjdrx0yFhBjYNmmH4W4CJklCRD1mFFl7yxwMGxOnm6h0XuPB6p8nxlwlt4f6YXkBaCHSoUJH-BoIwMzI_8-M4GEr_Fanln9jvXs1MIYrV-Zli7MX0yiX3cRGzk6GUge63CL5Qu2kH9m2Ih8zPUXQoRehy_-w&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Angels bow before Him, heaven and earth adore Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/warren.marquardt?__cft__[0]=AZVczCel1yAcyYaTHcnroDv-lpj8evqiRXAU7dHWjdrx0yFhBjYNmmH4W4CJklCRD1mFFl7yxwMGxOnm6h0XuPB6p8nxlwlt4f6YXkBaCHSoUJH-BoIwMzI_8-M4GEr_Fanln9jvXs1MIYrV-Zli7MX0yiX3cRGzk6GUge63CL5Qu2kH9m2Ih8zPUXQoRehy_-w&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a mighty God we serve!" -Don Moen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/warren.marquardt?__cft__[0]=AZVczCel1yAcyYaTHcnroDv-lpj8evqiRXAU7dHWjdrx0yFhBjYNmmH4W4CJklCRD1mFFl7yxwMGxOnm6h0XuPB6p8nxlwlt4f6YXkBaCHSoUJH-BoIwMzI_8-M4GEr_Fanln9jvXs1MIYrV-Zli7MX0yiX3cRGzk6GUge63CL5Qu2kH9m2Ih8zPUXQoRehy_-w&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Reach out until your arms look like the arms of the Savior on the cross" -Anonymous
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/warren.marquardt?__cft__[0]=AZVczCel1yAcyYaTHcnroDv-lpj8evqiRXAU7dHWjdrx0yFhBjYNmmH4W4CJklCRD1mFFl7yxwMGxOnm6h0XuPB6p8nxlwlt4f6YXkBaCHSoUJH-BoIwMzI_8-M4GEr_Fanln9jvXs1MIYrV-Zli7MX0yiX3cRGzk6GUge63CL5Qu2kH9m2Ih8zPUXQoRehy_-w&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you Jesus for pouring out this lov
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           e
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Angela+sharing+ScriptureCircleville+Pumpkin+Show+Outreach+SFOI+what+is+an+evangelist.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/circleville"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/circleville
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2022 19:45:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/circleville-pumpkin-show-22-outreach-ministry-report-angela</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Angela+Circleville+Pumpkin+Show+Outreach+SFOI+what+is+an+evangelist.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-5-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-5-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-5-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God's Resourcefulness
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then the Lord showed me four craftsmen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zechariah 1:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the vision described in this chapter, the prophet saw four terrible horns. They were pushing this way and that way, dashing down the strongest and the mightiest; and the prophet asked, "What are these?" The answer was, "These are the horns that have scattered Judah." He saw before him a representation of those powers that had oppressed the Church of God. There were four horns, for the church is attacked from all quarters. The prophet had good reason to feel dismayed; but suddenly there appeared before him "four craftsmen." He asked, "What are these coming to do?" These were the men whom God had found to break those horns in pieces.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God will always find men for His work, and He will find them at the right time. The prophet did not see the craftsmen at first, when there was nothing to do, but first the "horns" and then the "craftsmen." The Lord always finds enough men. He did not find three craftsmen, but four; there were four horns, and there must be four workmen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God finds the right men—not four men with pens to write, not four architects to draw plans, but four craftsmen to do the work. Rest assured, you who tremble for the Church of God, that when the "horns" grow troublesome, the "craftsmen" will be found. You need not worry about the weakness of the Church of God at any moment; there may be growing up in obscurity the valiant reformer who will shake the nations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Chrysostoms may come forth from our Ragged Schools, and Augustines from the thickest darkness of London's poverty. The Lord knows where to find His servants. He has in ambush a multitude of mighty men, and at His word they will take to the battle; "for the battle is the Lord's,"1 and He will get to Himself the victory. So let us remain faithful to Christ, and He, in the right time, will raise up for us a defense, whether it be in the day of our personal need or in the season of peril to His Church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) 1 Samuel 17:47
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/05/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2022 17:32:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-5-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Circleville Pumpkin Show '22 Outreach Ministry Report - Main</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/circleville-pumpkin-show-22-outreach-ministry-report-main</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thousands of tracts handed out, good "one on ones," and very receptive crowd of pumpkin-goers!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Main+Circleville+Pumpkin+Show+Outreach+SFOI+what+is+an+evangelist.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/All+teams+combined+on+day+2+for+a+group+photo+by+the+historic+mural+in+downtown+CirclevilleCircleville+Pumpkin+Show+Outreach+SFOI+what+is+an+evangelist.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/circleville"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/circleville
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Dec 2022 17:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/circleville-pumpkin-show-22-outreach-ministry-report-main</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Main+Circleville+Pumpkin+Show+Outreach+SFOI+what+is+an+evangelist.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-4-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-4-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-4-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nothing Can Satisfy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Behold, all is vanity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Ecclesiastes%201:14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ecclesiastes 1:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nothing can satisfy the entire man but the Lord's love and the Lord's own self. Some have tried to anchor in other harbors, but they have been driven out of such fatal refuges. Solomon, the wisest of men, was permitted to make experiments for us all, and to do for us what we should not attempt ourselves. Here is his testimony in his own words: "So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun."1 "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."2 What! The whole of it vanity? Is there nothing in all the wealth of kings? Nothing in that vast territory reaching from the river to the sea? Nothing in those glorious palaces? Nothing in the riches of the forests of Lebanon? In all your music and dancing and wine and luxury is there nothing? "Nothing," he says, "but sorrow, and his work is a vexation." This was his verdict when he had experimented on the paths of apparent pleasure. To embrace the Lord Jesus, to rest in His love and be fully assured of union with Him—this is all in all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dear reader, you do not need to try these empty paths to find out whether they are better than the Christian's. If you roam the universe, you will not find another friend like Jesus; if you could have all the comforts of life but lost your Savior, you would be wretched; but if you win Christ, then you could rot in a dungeon and even there find peace. If you live in obscurity or die hungry, you will still be satisfied with favor and will be full of the goodness of the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Ecclesiastes 2:9-11
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           2) Ecclesiastes 1:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/2/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/2/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Sun, 04 Dec 2022 19:01:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-4-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Tennessee Football Game Summary - 10/29/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-tennessee-football-game-summary-10-29-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/adams_bill"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/29 - UT vs. Kentucky
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           UT played Kentucky at night on Oct. 29. Mary, his wife Gynette, and I were there at our regular ministry location from 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Huge crowds as expected since UT was undefeated and Kentucky ranked in the top 20.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Several people stopped to say hello and we prayed together. Another good day of sowing and watering the Word.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above: Discussing how to select a ministry location
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above: Tennessee Band
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above: Mark Yoho preaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above: Mark Yoho preaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill discussing Great Commission
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Tennessee"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Tennessee
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 03 Dec 2022 17:30:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-tennessee-football-game-summary-10-29-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/University+of+Tennessee+Bill+Adams+10-29+SFOI1000.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Tennessee Football Game Summary - 10/22/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-tennessee-football-game-summary-10-22-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/adams_bill"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/22 - UT vs. UT Martin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joined by Wendell Schrock and his daughter WaDawn and friend Matthew.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above: Wendell preaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above: Wendell preaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above: Bill discussing game day and ministry location
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above: Bill showing crowds 40 minutes before kickoff
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Tennessee"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Tennessee
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2022 20:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-tennessee-football-game-summary-10-22-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/University+of+Tennessee+SFOI+1000+Bill+Adams+10-22.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Auburn University Game Summary - 11/12/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-auburn-university-game-summary-11-12-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/cohen_ben"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ben
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            * &amp;amp;
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/day_david"&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Day
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           11/12 -  David Day
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           :  The Lord was kind to give the opportunity to preach and for people to hear the Gospel Saturday. The size of the crowd for a 6:30pm game was huge. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The climate though was a night of scoffers. Very little encouragement fron believers, but a constant barrage of just wicked people. I have noticed over this season, just a more hostile atmosphere to God and the things of God. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was so thankful to witness among my friend Suok, Scott Roney, and his wife Clarissa though. Christian fellowship is the sweetest.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day+SFOI1000+Auburn+University+11-12.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Auburn-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Auburn-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2022 17:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-auburn-university-game-summary-11-12-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day+SFOI1000+Auburn+University+11-12.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-1-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-1-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-1-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He Who Comes
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our text is an advent text, the announcement of the coming of the Lord by John the Baptist. The announcement, it seems, threw people into considerable consternation. So much so that they were led to cry out, “What then shall we do?” And John’s answer is direct and unequivocal: “Bear fruits that befit repentance...He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%203%3A8%2C11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 3:8,11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) “Right now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree, therefore, that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%203%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 3:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). That’s the way it is when the Lord comes. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In our day, when some seem to be alarmed about the apparent rebirth of nasty things like “the social gospel,” and similar movements, I suppose there might be some nervousness about the manner in which John the Baptist moves so immediately from the coming of the Lord to giving away your coat and sharing your food. We would much rather, I suppose, that he had spent more time in transition, explaining how the coming of the Lord means first of all that we should devote ourselves to the cultivation of our piety, or pointing out that the gospel really has to do only with man's relationship to God. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is terribly easy to set up our theology as a buffer against the real coming of the Lord and its consequences.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We would like, I expect, if we could make more of a gap between the coming of the Lord and giving away our extra coat, a gap which we could fill with a lot of theological padding and insulation and junk and garbage so that movement from one to the other isn't really so painfully immediate and sequential. It may be true that much needs to be said about the bad theology of the social gospel movement, but it is also true that we too must realize that it is terribly easy to set up our theology as a buffer against the real coming of the Lord and its consequences. Indeed, one wonders if today we have not become past masters at it. And perhaps it is precisely that sort of thing which John is preaching against.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For what does it mean to say that the Lord is coming? Indeed, that he has come and will come? It means that the Lord whom we worship and proclaim is one who comes to us in such a way that we do not need to go to him. Indeed, it must be put even more sharply. It’s not merely that we don’t need to go to him; it’s rather that we can’t go to him – it’s no longer even an option. He is the one who comes to you, in his own way, there is nothing you can do about it, he completely reverses the direction of what usually goes by the name of religion. He comes to you so that there is absolutely nothing you can do but repent and then live like you believed it - bear fruit that befits repentance. No other option is open.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I wonder sometimes if we really get the point of all this – if the real bite of it comes home to us. Even our usual manner of speaking, theologically, it seems to me, militates against a proper understanding. We talk about ourselves as “fallen creatures.” And by that we give the impression that our trouble is that we started out somewhere higher up on the way to God and have “fallen” to some lower place, so that now there is some kind of a gap that has to be made up somehow. Either we have to go to God, or he has to come to us and help us back up. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our sin consists not in falling down, but precisely in the attempt to climb up into heaven.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And even if we say that he has come to us, going to him must at least be some sort of an option, something for which we must strive, at least for those who really want to, even if we can’t make it without help because the gap is still there. And thus it turns out that it is into this gap that we pour all our theological nonsense – all our investments in piety. We engage ourselves not in bearing fruit befitting repentance, because that’s only secondary after all. First we have to get to God. And our theology becomes an excuse and our piety simply a stalling game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If I read the bible correctly, that is entirely the wrong picture. Our sin consists not in falling down, but precisely in the attempt to climb up into heaven. It consists in listening to the voice of the tempter, “You shall be as Gods.” And we should realize that we are not above putting even our theology and piety in the service of that temptation. And the point is that Advent is the cure for all that. It proclaims a God who comes to us, precisely to cure us of our attempt to ascend, to cure us of our pretentious piety. It tells us to repent and get down to earth where we belong and be men, not Gods. It tells us that going to God isn’t even an option for us. He has ruled that out. For he is the one who comes to us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And what then shall we do? Bear fruit, that befits repentance! That’s the only thing there is to do. That is the only way to greet the God of advent. He is coming. Your piety cannot affect that in the least. He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored. Nothing you can do will alter that. He comes to you. You cannot go to him. That is precisely the glory of it, the gospel of it. You need not be a God, just be a man and look at your fellow man. “He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” For the Lord has come to us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles//he-who-comes" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles//he-who-comes
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 02 Dec 2022 03:32:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-1-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-30-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-30-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-30-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Where is Our Hope...?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The world around us seems to be growing more selfish and corrupt. The values that spring from a general acknowledgement that we are the special creation of a personal God are gathering dust on the shelf of history. Parents are concerned about the influences of social media and the impact of gender issues. Drugs and alcohol, homelessness, violence and rape seem more prevalent.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is it possible to feel hopeful?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two and a half millennia ago hopelessness was staring the little kingdom of Judah in the face. In the 8th century BC the Assyrian imperial army rampaged through the Middle East and sacked the northern kingdom of Israel. A century later the Babylonian armies were on the rise, and it was only a matter of time before Judah received the unwelcome attention of those powerful forces.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How would Judah survive? She had no army to speak of, no money and no allies. Greater nations had already been cut down. Political obliteration seemed inevitable. Yet despite the odds, Judah’s morale was not destroyed. A glimmer of hope was on the horizon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was Isaiah, one of the prophets who had spoken of doom and despair, who wrote about a special leader who would be raised up. In Isaiah chapter 11, features of God’s promised king unfold.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A leader after God’s own heart. Isaiah was disappointed by the politicians of his day. They were corrupt: they took bribes, ignored the poor, and turned a blind eye to justice. King Ahaz, for example, had broken every trust given to him. He had even used the gold of the Temple to try to bribe Assyria and prevent her march on Jerusalem. He’d failed. He was another ruler who’d let his people down.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Time and time again, rulers and governments do that. In most western democracies today election promises are constantly consigned to the trash.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In chapter 11, verse 1, Isaiah offers hope: A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesse was the father of King David, the great king in the Old Testament. Just as David himself had come out of obscurity, Isaiah is saying, so too a new king would emerge, and he would be greater than David and his son Solomon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, Isaiah says, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2-3).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wisdom, understanding and knowledge would characterize this king’s rule. But fundamental would be his willingness to learn from God. There would be no political blunders in his rule. Furthermore, corruption would not plague his government; the media wouldn’t be able to destroy him – either over his personal integrity or his policies. No one would be living in poverty or without a home.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A leader who would use his power for peace. The metaphors in verse 6 are vivid: The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. Peace would be the mark of this leader’s rule.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Periods of world peace are fleeting. The war in Ukraine has expunged the view that the world had at last entered a time of safety, security and prosperity. Yet Isaiah insists, under God’s ruler there will be no incompetence, no corruption, no violence – only peace. Could it be true?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A leader who draws his people from the nations. Isaiah doesn’t stop there, for in verses 10 though 16 he portrays people coming from all parts of the world, like a scattered army, to rally around this ruler. It will be a victorious, redeemed community, he says (11:15). People will come from the East and the West. Highways will be built to God’s City so that people from every nation can come. It’s a vivid and poetic picture.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Understandably we ask, ‘Could it happen?’ ‘Who is this root of Jesse, this ruler to whom the people rally, who will restore creation to its pristine harmony?’ Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some seven hundred years before Jesus came, Isaiah predicted the first coming of God’s king as well as his return. This is one of the amazing things about the Bible that convinces me that it is what it says it is – namely, God’s deliberate, progressive, self-revelation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Centuries before Jesus came, Isaiah opened a window on Jesus’ life and work. Wise men did come from the Far East to pay him homage at his birth. And people from around the world have been coming to him ever since his death and resurrection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Gospel writers reveal that Jesus not only taught but backed up his words with action that showed God’s compassion for a sick and sorry world. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, and dealt with the powers of evil.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As the New Testament unfolds, we learn that the coming of God’s king is in two parts: his first coming was a rescue operation; his return will reveal the king in all his might, majesty dominion and power. He will bring his perfect justice to bear and, with the unveiling of his own glory, will reveal the glory of all who have truly turned to him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His first coming we celebrate at Christmas. In the season of Advent, the four weeks before Christmas, we focus on the reality of his return.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our hope is bound up in God’s king. For the death of the king on the cross comes between God’s good creation, ruined by human sin with which the Bible begins, and the promise of a restored creation with which the Bible ends. God will wipe away every tear from our eyes… there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (Revelation 21:4).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Blessed Lord, you have caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning, grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, so that, encouraged and supported by your holy Word, we may embrace and always hold fast the joyful hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may want to listen to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OibIi1rz7mw" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ Our Hope in Life and Death
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            from Keith and Kristyn Getty and Matt Papa.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/where-is-our-hope-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/where-is-our-hope-2/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Nov 2022 16:09:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-30-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-29-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-29-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-29-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Rose is A Rose
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A rose is a rose is a rose. This dictum reinforces the adage that a rose by any other name is still a rose. The idea is that the essence of the rose is not conditioned by what name is attached to it. It is its res, not its nomina, that determines what it is. In different languages, the same flower is known by different names, but it is still the same flower.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When we apply this idea to theology things get a bit more complicated. Indeed the rose adage has been transferred indiscriminately to religion in order to create a theological concept. The concept is: “God by any other name is still God.” Now certainly, it is true that the immutable essence of God is not changed by the alteration of His name. In English, we may say “God,” in German “Gott,” in Greek “Theos,” yet all these names or words are used to point to the same Deity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Beyond this, however, things get murky. It is a quantum leap to go from saying that God by any other name is still God, to saying that all the great religions in the world believe in the same Being though they call Him different names.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This irrational leap is prodded by the popular analogy of the mountain. This analogy notes that their are many roads up the mountain. Some progress on a more direct route, while others wind about on more circuitous roads, but sooner or later they all arrive at the same place, at the top of the mountain.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do all roads lead to God?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, it is argued, there are many roads that lead to God. They may be different routes but they all end up in the same place—with God Himself. That is, the differing roads indicate no difference in the God who is found. God’s being, then, becomes the lowest (or highest) common denominator of all religions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The road analogy is buttressed by the democratic truism that all religions are equal under the law. The fallacy in this axiom is thinking that just because all religions enjoy equal tolerance under the civil law, they therefore are all equally valid. That might be true if there were no God, but then it would be better to say that with respect to their ultimate affirmation they are all equally invalid.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is a quantum leap to go from saying that God by any other name is still God, to saying that all the great religions in the world believe in the same Being though they call Him different names.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To argue that all religions ultimately believe in the same God is the quintessential nonsense statement. Even a cursory examination of the content of different religions reveals this. The nature of the Canaanite deity Baal differs sharply from the nature of the biblical God. They are not remotely the same. This sharp distinction is also seen when comparing the God of Israel with the gods and goddesses of Roman, Greek, or Norse mythology.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Nature of God and of Christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The problem becomes even more complex when we consider that sometimes different religions use the same name for God while their views of the nature of God differ radically. Consider, for example, the religion of Mormonism. It claims to embrace the Bible (as well as the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, and Doctrine of Covenants) and professes belief in the God of the Bible as well as the biblical Christ. Mormons call themselves The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Yet historic Christianity does not accept the Mormon religion as a branch or denomination of Christianity. Why? Because the Mormon view of the nature of God and of Christ differs sharply at essential points of faith. For example, Mormonism categorically rejects the full deity of Christ. Christ is said to be pre-existent, but not eternal. He is highly exalted—indeed revered—but He remains a creature, not Creator, in Mormon theology.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What about Islam? Islam is one of the largest religions in the world. In the city of Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock is displayed as one of the most beautiful sacred shrines on the planet. Islam claims to embrace the God of the Old Testament. It holds the biblical patriarchs in high esteem and even accords a certain respect to Jesus as a great prophet, but He pales in significance to Mohammed, who is the supreme prophet in the credo: “Allah is God and Mohammed is His Prophet.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This forces the question, “Is Allah the same God as Yahweh, only under a different name?” Or we could pose the question in a different way: “Is Allah the God of the Bible?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The answer to these questions depends first of all on the answer to the question: “Is the God of Christianity the God in the Old Testament, that is, Yahweh?” If the Being who is called “God” in the New Testament is the God called “Yahweh” in the Old Testament, then, manifestly, the God of Islam is not the God of the Bible. As Yahweh continues to reveal Himself through the ministry of Christ and the Apostles, it is clear Yahweh is very different from Allah. We cannot legitimately harmonize the theology of Christianity with the theology of Islam. They differ sharply at essential points.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Trinity
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The most obvious difference is with respect to the Trinity. Christians confess the triune nature of God. The language “nature” here may be confusing inasmuch as the Christian doctrine of God affirms that God is one in essence (or nature) and three in person. This means that the distinction of persons in the Godhead is not a distinction of essence, which would leave us with three gods. For precision, we must walk the razor’s edge and say that the distinctions of persons in the Godhead is an essential distinction, yet not a distinction of essence. God is one in being (or essence), but it is important to note the personal distinctions of God, because the Bible goes to great lengths to do so.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here is a crucial difference between the Muslim understanding of God and the Christian concept: The term “god” does not refer to the same being in each religion because Allah is clearly not triune. For Islam, there is no second person of the Trinity who becomes incarnate and effects our salvation and no third person of the Trinity who applies that redemption to us. So we are left with radically different views of God via the person and work of Christ and the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are two other vital differences between Christianity and Islam. Islam has no cross and no resurrection, articles of the faith that are of the essence of Christianity and of ultimate importance to the plan of the God of the Bible. Mohammed made no atonement for our sins when he died. And when he died, he stayed dead.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are other crucial differences we could explore of how God is understood in orthodox Christianity and how He is understood in orthodox Islam. It is enough for now to say that Allah and Yahweh are not the same. One is the living God; the other is an idol.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/a-rose-is-a-rose" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/a-rose-is-a-rose
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 29 Nov 2022 18:21:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-29-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-28-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-28-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-28-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Seeking the Best for the Church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He sought the welfare of his people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Esther%2010:3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Esther 10:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mordecai was a true patriot, and so when he was promoted to the highest position under Ahasuerus, he used his eminence to promote the prosperity of Israel. In this he was a type of Jesus who, upon His throne of glory, does not seek His own but spends His power for His people. It would be beneficial if every Christian would be a Mordecai to the Church, striving according to his ability for its prosperity. Some are placed in positions of affluence and influence; let them honor their Lord in the high places of the earth and testify for Jesus before great men.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Others have what is far better, namely, close fellowship with the King of kings. Let them be sure to pray daily for the weak among the Lord's people, the doubting, the tempted, and the comfortless. It will redound to their honor if they make much intercession for those who are in darkness and dare not draw close to the mercy-seat. Instructed believers may serve their Master greatly if they offer their talents for the general good and impart their wealth of heavenly learning to others by teaching them the things of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The very least in our churches may seek the welfare of God's people; and such a desire, if they can give no more, will be acceptable. It is at once the most Christlike and the most happy course for a believer to stop living for himself. He who blesses others cannot fail to be blessed himself. On the other hand, to seek our own personal greatness is a wicked and unhappy plan of life; its way will be grievous, and its end will be fatal.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here is the place to ask you, my friend, whether you are to the best of your power seeking the best for the Church in your neighborhood. I trust you are not doing the Church mischief by bitterness and scandal, nor weakening it by your neglect. Friend, unite with the Lord's poor, bear their cross, do them all the good you can, and you will not miss your reward.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/11/28/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/11/28/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2022 14:31:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-28-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix Nashville '22 Outreach Ministry Report - Caleb</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-nashville-22-outreach-ministry-report-caleb</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           21 Evangelists sharing the glorious gospel in Nashville!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Caleb+Davenport+Music+City+Grand+Prix+Outreach+5.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Caleb Davenport -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pics and Videos from Music City
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2022 16:00:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-nashville-22-outreach-ministry-report-caleb</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Caleb+Davenport+Music+City+Grand+Prix+Outreach+5.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix Nashville '22 Outreach Ministry Report - David</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-nashville-22-outreach-ministry-report-david</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           21 Evangelists sharing the glorious gospel in Nashville!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+David+Day+Grand+Prix+Nashville+Outreach+August+5-7-+2022.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            David Day -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The most beautiful thing about Nashville is God's people. A local church allowed us to use the building God had given them for us to gather for worship, fellowship, and rest. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           George the pastor was there each day serving us, making coffee, helping with breakfast, emptyi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ng the trash, and all with a joyful spirit. Breakfast and lunch sacks were prepared joyfully by another church for us. A group of local believers gathered in the church library to pray for us as we ate breakfast.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Nashville Baptist Association loaned us a shower trailer as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams with Sports Fan Outreach and Ben Grady put on a great mission trip like no other. Prayer, worship, and teachings each day, and then the work of laboring with others in sharing the Gospel. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord is kind and so are His people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There truly is no body more beautiful than the body that loves Christ and one another. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Looking forward to next year with these brothers. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day+Grand+Prix+Nashville+Outreach+August+5-7-+2022.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 26 Nov 2022 16:00:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-nashville-22-outreach-ministry-report-david</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+David+Day+Grand+Prix+Nashville+Outreach+August+5-7-+2022.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-25-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-25-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-25-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Humbling Doctrine of Election
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Romans%209:15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 9:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In these words the Lord in the plainest manner claims the right to give or to withhold His mercy according to His own sovereign will. As the prerogative of life and death is vested in the monarch, so the Judge of all the earth has a right to spare or condemn the guilty, as may seem best in His sight. Men by their sins have forfeited all claim upon God; they deserve to perish for their sins—and if they all do so, they have no ground for complaint. If the Lord steps in to save any, He may do so if the ends of justice are not thwarted; but if He judges it best to leave the condemned to suffer the righteous sentence, none may call Him to account.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All those discourses about the rights of men being placed on the same footing are foolish and impudent and ignorant; worse still are the arguments against discriminating grace, which are just the rebellions of proud human nature against God's rule. When we are brought to see our own utter ruin, and the justice of the divine verdict against sin, we no longer scoff at the truth that the Lord is not bound to save us; we do not murmur if He chooses to save others, as though He were doing us an injury, but feel that if He deigns to look upon us, it will be His own free act of undeserved goodness, for which we will forever bless His name.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How will those who are the subjects of divine election sufficiently adore the grace of God? They have no room for boasting, for sovereignty most effectually excludes it. The Lord's will alone is glorified, and the very notion of human merit is cast out to everlasting contempt. There is no more humbling doctrine in Scripture than that of election, none more deserving of gratitude, and consequently none more sanctifying. Believers should not be afraid of it but adoringly rejoice in it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/11/25/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/11/25/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Nov 2022 20:47:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-25-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix Nashville '22 Outreach Ministry Report - Aaron</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-nashville-22-outreach-ministry-report-aaron</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           21 Evangelists sharing the glorious gospel in Nashville!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Aaron+Milligan+Grand+Prix+Nashville+TN+Outreach+August+5-7-+2022.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Aaron Milligan -
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            It was great to be a part of the outreach, this was my first with SFOI. The pictures are a combination from different ministries I part in while in Nashville. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Nov 2022 16:00:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-nashville-22-outreach-ministry-report-aaron</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Aaron+Milligan+Grand+Prix+Nashville+TN+Outreach+August+5-7-+2022.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-24-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-24-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-24-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Alpha and Omega of Generosity
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It all starts with God; and it all ends with God. He is the alpha and omega of giving and generosity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is an excerpt from the first chapter of Chad Bird’s booklet, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://shop.1517.org/products/my-cup-runneth-over-giving-and-generosity-1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           My Cup Runneth Over.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God created us in order that he might have children upon whom to shower his gifts. In the Garden of Eden, where the Lord fashioned our first parents, every day was like Christmas. Presents of all kinds were spread under every tree, beside the waters, above in the skies. Every aspect of creation was a brightly wrapped gift that could be opened and again, each time with the childlike shriek of excitement. Even the bodies of our first parents were presents; Adam was a gift to Eve, as Eve was to Adam. God was anything but stingy. He opened his hand and satisfied the desires of every living thing (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps%20145%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps 145:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Everything that God saw not only as good, but very good, he gave to his crowning achievement in creation: humanity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the book of Genesis, therefore, we see the true genesis, the starting point, for understanding giving and generosity. It all starts with God; and it all ends with God. He is the alpha and omega of giving and generosity. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change,” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/James%201%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           James 1:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And every good gift and every perfect gift our Father has designed for his children.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But this is certainly not the way everyone thinks, nor has it been throughout the ages. We usually don’t suppose the account of creation in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Genesis%201-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 1-2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is a radical story, a countercultural narrative about humanity’s central place in this world. But in fact it is. If you compare the biblical account to a variety of creation myths that were common in the ancient world, one glaring difference is why humanity exists.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For instance, suppose we walked down a street in ancient Babylon and asked one of the people, “Why are you here? Why did god or the gods create you?” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They would respond with something like, “I am here because the gods needed me.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “What do you mean the gods needed you?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Before we were created, the lesser gods had to do all the work in creation.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “So the greater gods created you to be a worker? To relieve the burden placed on the lesser gods?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Yes, of course. Our primary purpose is to work for the gods. We worship them and provide them with food and drink. We exist to be their servants. That’s why we are here.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our Babylonian man on the street is echoing what he (and his religious culture) confessed to be true about humanity. According to their creation myth (known as the Enuma Elish), humanity is (1) an afterthought in creation; (2) at the periphery of the story; (3) and formed not as the gods’ children but as their servants.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Far from being an afterthought in creation, men and women are the forethought in creation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We can hardly find a more contradictory message to what the Scriptures tell us about why we exist, why God created us. Far from being an afterthought in creation, men and women are the forethought in creation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They are why God uttered the first, “Let there be….” Humanity is why everything else was made. And Adam and Eve were not at the periphery of the story; their creation is the very climax of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Genesis%201/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Everything leads up to day six, when the Lord says, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” And, most importantly, God does not form Adam and Eve to be his servants; he creates them to be his children. He is their Lord, to be sure, but more importantly, more exactly, he is their Father.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The account of creation in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Genesis%201-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 1-2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is still a countercultural narrative about humanity’s central place in this world. If you ask a New Yorker or Floridian the same question we asked the Babylonian man on the street, you’ll get essentially the same answer: we exist to achieve things; we are created to serve; our lives are defined by our doing, our giving, our working. Even if they believe in God, even if they sit in church every Sunday, they are likely to give an answer along these lines. It all boils down to this: their identity is established by what they do. This doing may be very religious. It may involve serving in the church. It may redound to the glory of God. But if you strip away all the externals, you are left with one fundamental belief about why we are here in this world: God created us as servants, doers, givers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yes, of course, it is true that when the Father created Adam and Eve, he gave them work to do. They were to fill the earth, subdue it, have dominion over all creation (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gen%201%3A28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen 1:28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). When the Lord formed Adam, he put the man in Eden “to work it and keep it,” (2:15). And Adam needed a “helper fit for him,” so God crafted Eve from his rib to be that helper (2:18, 22). Our first parents did not kick back in Eden and snore their days away in a hammock hung between the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They had their vocations, their places of service in this new world. So do we. We are spouses or parents, workers, servants of every variety. God has given us work to do, people to help, both inside and outside the church. We are not called to be lazy sloths who spend our lives being waited on hand and foot.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Neither the good we do nor the bad we do define who we are. Rather, our identity is determined by the one who has created us, redeemed us, and given us a brand-spanking new identity in his Son.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However—and this is of critical importance—we must not confuse identity with activity. Who we are is not defined by what we do. We may do lots of good things, and we certainly do lots of bad things. At times we serve God, at times our fellow man, and very frequently we selfishly serve the person in the mirror. But neither the good we do nor the bad we do define who we are. Rather, our identity is determined by the one who has created us, redeemed us, and given us a brand-spanking new identity in his Son.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whether we are awake or asleep, working 24/7 or a comatose patient in ICU, a newborn infant or an retired octogenarian, a millionaire CEO or a homeless man on the street corner—who we are has nothing to do with these externals. We are the children of our heavenly Father in Jesus Christ and through his Holy Spirit. Our identity is rooted in the family to which we belong. We are sons and daughters of our Father because we are brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. To be in the image of God is simply to be his child. When Adam fathered Seth, the Scriptures say “he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image,” (5:3). To be in the image and likeness of our heavenly Father is essentially this: to be his child, as Seth was Adam’s child. It is to bear the imprint of our paternity. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul puts it this way in his letter to the Galatians, “Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God,” (4:6-7). Earlier he says, “in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ,” (3:26-27). To be baptized into Christ is to put on Christ, to be clothed with him, enveloped by his presence, so that our identity is bound up with his. Since he is the Son of God, we who wear him are sons of God. Since he is free, we are free. Since he is the chosen one of God, we are the chosen ones of God. We are not slaves and we are more than servants; we are children because we are in the only begotten child of God, Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Because we are in Christ, our identities are determined by who he is, not by what we do. Just as the Father created Adam and Eve as his children, so we are recreated in Christ to be the Father’s children. And just as he gave all things to our first parents in the newly created world, so in the kingdom of God “all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s,” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor%203%3A21-22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor 3:21-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). All things are yours because you belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God. In other words, the giving and generous God, our good and gracious Father, has enriched us with every imaginable blessing in Christ. We are a new creation (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Cor%205%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor 5:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And in this new creation we are kings and queens. Just as the Father formed Adam and Eve in order that he might have someone upon whom to bestow his gifts, so he has reformed us in his Son that he might have children upon whom to bestow even greater gifts. We are defined by what we receive, not by what we achieve, by divine generosity toward us, not our generosity toward others. We are the blessed, gifted, beloved sons and daughters of our Father in Jesus Christ. That is who we are.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles//the-alpha-and-omega-of-generosity" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles//the-alpha-and-omega-of-generosity
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Nov 2022 20:29:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-24-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-23-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-23-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-23-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thanksgiving
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Thanksgiving’ in America is one of the delights Judith and I experienced when we moved to New York in 2001. Despite the evil events of September 11 that year, people at the Thanksgiving Dinner we attended expressed their thanks for the way the Lord had used the events of 9/11 to build their trust in him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When we think about it, thanksgiving is a theme that permeates the Bible – especially the Psalms. And while we do live in an uncertain world, there is still much for which to be thankful.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come with me to Paul the Apostle’s Letter to the Philippians, chapter 4, verses 4 through 9.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rejoice: Rejoice in the Lord always; Paul exhorts. And, as he doesn’t want us to skim over this, he repeats it, Again, I say, Rejoice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul was in prison when he wrote these words. He is repeating his earlier exhortation, Rejoice in the Lord (3:1). God wants us to so value our relationship with Jesus Christ that we long for the smile of his approval in all we do. Nothing else matters. He is our joy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now notice Paul doesn’t say we are to rejoice in the Lord in all circumstances – some situations may be evil. Rather, we should rejoice that the Lord still has his hand on the helm of the world’s events and our personal affairs, working out his good purposes for his people. It challenges us to ask if we trust him in every situation – be it the loss of a job, disappointments, or sobering medical news.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, in exhorting us to rejoice, he is not speaking about our being happy, always having a smile on our face. The joy he speaks about is the deep inner peace and contentment that springs from a personal trust in Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For this reason, he urges us to pray with thankfulness in our hearts: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Don’t be anxious … Timeless words and a universal remedy for anxiety.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, Paul urges us to pray for concerns about life; petition the Lord with our particular needs, with thankfulness in our hearts for his goodness and mercy. Here is the antidote to anxiety and the prelude to the experience of peace. Such prayer and thanksgiving express trust in God in every situation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let me ask, can you honestly say you are assured that Jesus is not only in control but that he truly loves and cares for you?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peace. In verse 7 we read: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus, and in verse 9: …And the God of peace will be with you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peace, Shalom is a word of security. Paul was in prison for his faith when he wrote these words. He knew what it was to be anxious, even fearful about life’s disappointments. He knew the barbs that can hurt – be they lies or literal persecution.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Encouragingly he speaks about God’s peace guarding our hearts and minds. Guard in this context conveys the positive idea of protection. As a Roman citizen, he may have had in mind the Praetorian Guard. It’s a great thought – God’s ‘Praetorian Guard’ providing security for our hearts and minds, and so giving us peace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, heart is the Bible’s way of speaking of what is deep within us – our desires and will, our emotions and our very soul. And mind refers to our thoughts that spring from our inner longings.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now, if we remove God’s promise of peace from its biblical context, the idea of peace is lovely but without substance. Peace in the Bible is meaningful and profound, true and full of strength. The God of peace is the one who has made peace possible between himself and you and me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On the day of his resurrection, Christ met with his disciples in a locked upper room. ‘Peace be with you’ were his first words. It wasn’t a conventional greeting, for he immediately repeated it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The God of peace is also the God of power. It is the God of peace who brought again from the dead, our Lord Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus is the New Testament standard for God’s mighty power. Peace is associated with the kind of power that not even death can stand against. These great promises are grounded in the peace that God himself has secured. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection he is the author of just and everlasting peace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How much there is for which we can be thankful. Is this real for you? How often do you express your thankfulness? Just at Thanksgiving? Or every day?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A General Thanksgiving.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give humble and hearty thanks for all your goodness and loving kindness to us and to all people. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your amazing love in the redemption of the world through our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace and for the hope of glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And, we pray, give us that due sense of all your mercies, that our hearts may be truly thankful, and that we may declare your praise not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may want to listen to the song, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BrfkjHdKVI" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           May the Peoples Praise You from Keith and Kristyn Getty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/thanksgiving-3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/thanksgiving-3/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Nov 2022 20:27:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-23-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-22-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-22-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Loving Provision
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In recent years, we have been treated to the invention of a word previously unknown, or at least not used. That word that has entered into the general vocabulary of our time is the word oxymoron. A typical example of an oxymoron might be the phrase “jumbo shrimp.” The words that are used to describe a particular thing seem to be self-contradictory, or at least standing in an antithetical relationship. From this perspective, one might say that in theology the phrase “common grace” is such an oxymoron. I say this for this reason: God’s grace can never be reduced to the level of experience that may be deemed “common.” Though God’s grace in one sense is commonplace, it is always and everywhere an expression of something that He gives that is undeserved by the creature. That God bestows any grace at all upon fallen creatures is indeed an uncommon manifestation of His sovereign generosity. We neither merit nor deserve such benefits.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Having said this, however, we need to look at the specific intent of the use of the term common with respect to grace. Common grace is distinguished not so much from what we might call uncommon grace, but rather from what we call “special grace.” Common grace refers to several concepts or experiences that we observe as Christians. On the one hand, we realize that in God’s divine providence He pours out benefits that are enjoyed not simply by believers, but by believers and non-believers alike. With respect to such benefits and such activities, the common grace of God is linked closely to two distinct aspects of the love of God. As I explained in my article from the May 2004 issue of Tabletalk, we distinguish among three distinct types of the love of God, two of which involve common grace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first of these aspects is God’s love of benevolence. The term benevolence means simply “good will.” And God’s love for the human race may be defined in terms of His having a generally kind disposition to all of His creatures, fallen as they may be. This, of course, does not negate God’s stance of wrath and anger towards those who continue in disobedience and in resisting the proper worship and gratitude the creature owes to God. But God’s love of benevolence reflects His good will towards all creatures.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This disposition, or kindness, that God displays towards all creatures indiscriminately is linked to the second type of love that we use to define God’s character. That is His love of beneficence. Where benevolence has to do with God’s will, beneficence has to do with God’s actions as they pertain to His activity on behalf of the whole created realm. We see that He not only has a divine kindness towards His creatures, He acts with a loving provision for the whole human race.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus said that rain falls upon the just as well as the unjust. If we have two farmers living side by side, laboring each day to bring forth produce from the soil, we know that both farmers require the light of the sun, as well as a sufficient amount of rain to bring forth a healthy crop. If the two farmers are distinguished in terms of faith, one being a regenerate believer and the other an unregenerate non-believer, we don’t expect the sun simply to shine on the believer’s fields and the rain simply to moisten his crop, while at the same time God withholds the gifts of rain and sunshine from the unregenerate. On the contrary, both farmers reap the benefits of the grace of God. He owes neither farmer the gifts of rain and sunshine, as both of those come from His sovereign bounty. Nevertheless, He pours out these gifts to both believer and unbeliever, commonly. So, in this respect, when we speak of the love of God in His beneficence, His beneficence is common, that is, the whole world benefits from God’s grace to a certain degree.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Common grace matters call the Christian often to work in arenas where there is a mixture of wheat and tares growing together.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We look also to the gifts that God gives and provides for people. We can go to unbelieving medical doctors who practice their trade perhaps with a superior skill than believers. It is not simply the believer who is a gifted physician, a gifted musician, or a gifted accountant.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            God blesses all sorts of people with gifts and talents, and these gifts all flow from His grace. They are not restricted simply to believers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In like manner, God’s law is given to benefit the whole of mankind. God established government initially with an angel guarding the entrance to Paradise. Such government involves a restraint of evil. When God gives such restraints to evil, that restraining power gives benefit to the whole world. As fallen as the world is, and as many atrocities that are committed by wicked individuals or corrupt governments, the world would manifest much greater depravity and decadence if not for the restraint of evil by God’s common grace. We see that God, in His common grace, restrains evil from going unchecked, even among the most wicked people and nations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Finally, those endeavors to which we as Christians give our attention that have salutary benefits for the whole are acts of common grace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For example, we march with the atheist and those of other religions to combat common evils such as abortion and human rights violations. These issues are not issues reserved for Christians but for the welfare of the entire human community. Common grace matters call the Christian often to work in arenas where there is a mixture of wheat and tares growing together.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the final analysis, the grace that is most significant for our concern is that special grace of regeneration, or that special love of God called His love of complacency, the benefits of which are directed solely to His elect. Only the elect receive that grace, and that’s what distinguishes the elect from the non-elect. We must not think of common grace as a saving grace given indiscriminately or provided indiscriminately by God’s intent to the whole human race. That would be to step into a semi-Pelagian or Arminian understanding of common grace. Common grace does not include within it the divine and sovereign selective grace that is reserved for His elect.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/loving-provision" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/loving-provision
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Nov 2022 20:26:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix Nashville '22 Outreach Ministry Report - John</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-nashville-22-outreach-ministry-report-john</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           21 Evangelists sharing the glorious gospel in Nashville!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+John+Coble+Grand+Prix+Nashville+Outreach+August+5-7-+2022.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            John Coble -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music City Grand Prix Outreach day 1 (Friday)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music City Grand Prix Outreach day 2 (Sat.)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music City Grand Prix Outreach day 3 (Sun.)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Nov 2022 16:00:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-nashville-22-outreach-ministry-report-john</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+John+Coble+Grand+Prix+Nashville+Outreach+August+5-7-+2022.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix Nashville '22 Outreach Ministry Report - Joe</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-nashville-22-outreach-ministry-report-joe</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           21 Evangelists sharing the glorious gospel in Nashville!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Joe+Hinson+Grand+Prix+Nashville+Outreach+SFOI+August+5-7-+2022.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/will.dieterich.100?__cft__[0]=AZVKIvWDFJ7uksCVhgihl1DNvcWo9-J28V95psZkaInqjZpk8y6XIfFABDdDiiSTuI0gCEHNftRPW4SNjVpM076imjmqo-zcnGM6n2iPHJHf_Q-XJGqc2BnLx0OxQ1S729s&amp;amp;__tn__=-]H-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Will S Dieterich
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            preaching the glorious gospel in downtown Nashville on the last day of the
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/musiccitygrandprix?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVKIvWDFJ7uksCVhgihl1DNvcWo9-J28V95psZkaInqjZpk8y6XIfFABDdDiiSTuI0gCEHNftRPW4SNjVpM076imjmqo-zcnGM6n2iPHJHf_Q-XJGqc2BnLx0OxQ1S729s&amp;amp;__tn__=*NH-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #MusicCityGrandPrix
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/soladeogloria?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVKIvWDFJ7uksCVhgihl1DNvcWo9-J28V95psZkaInqjZpk8y6XIfFABDdDiiSTuI0gCEHNftRPW4SNjVpM076imjmqo-zcnGM6n2iPHJHf_Q-XJGqc2BnLx0OxQ1S729s&amp;amp;__tn__=*NH-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #soladeogloria
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVKIvWDFJ7uksCVhgihl1DNvcWo9-J28V95psZkaInqjZpk8y6XIfFABDdDiiSTuI0gCEHNftRPW4SNjVpM076imjmqo-zcnGM6n2iPHJHf_Q-XJGqc2BnLx0OxQ1S729s&amp;amp;__tn__=*NH-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeWhitefieldProgram?__cft__[0]=AZVKIvWDFJ7uksCVhgihl1DNvcWo9-J28V95psZkaInqjZpk8y6XIfFABDdDiiSTuI0gCEHNftRPW4SNjVpM076imjmqo-zcnGM6n2iPHJHf_Q-XJGqc2BnLx0OxQ1S729s&amp;amp;__tn__=-]H-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           George Whitefield Program
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above - Day 1 Outreach to the Music City Grand Prix update
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above - Music City Grand Prix day 2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Nov 2022 16:00:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-nashville-22-outreach-ministry-report-joe</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Joe+Hinson+Grand+Prix+Nashville+Outreach+SFOI+August+5-7-+2022.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix Nashville '22 Outreach Ministry Report - Brad</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-nashville-22-outreach-ministry-report-brad</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           21 Evangelists sharing the glorious gospel in Nashville!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Brad+Madewell+Grand+Prix+Nashville+Outreach+SFOI+8-5-7-2022.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Report from
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brad Madewell
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was a family of believers that stopped and conversed with us and said Praise God, they were from Nebraska. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Heath+Pucel+video+Brad+Madewell+Grand+Prix+Nashville+Outreach+SFOI+8-5-7-2022.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch this video of Brother Heath (above) here: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/400539822147924" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/reel/400539822147924
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brad+Madewell+Grand+Prix+Nashville+Outreach+SFOI+8-5-7-2022.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch this video of Brother Brad (above) here: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/423690929712157" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/reel/423690929712157
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thanks for your prayers as our team of evangelists lifts up Jesus Christ to the masses today on Broadway in Nashville.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may be a Christian and have never shared the Gospel with anyone. I’ve heard people, even Christians, say this isn’t the way to share. Show me in God’s Word where it says not to Go and share Christ. Acts 1:8; Luke 24:46-48, Matthew 28:18-20 we are to go and share Christ. Lord Jesus help us all to be a better witness for the Kingdom of God. Love in the name of Jesus!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2022 16:00:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-nashville-22-outreach-ministry-report-brad</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Brad+Madewell+Grand+Prix+Nashville+Outreach+SFOI+8-5-7-2022.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Cincinnati Game Summary - 11/11/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-cincinnati-game-summary-11-11-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/doerman_david"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave Doerman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            11-11-22
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Cincinnati football game pic from David Doerman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Doerman+University+of+Cincinnati+Outreach+SFOI+11-11-22+uc.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelize Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We proclaim the gospel at sporting events around Cincinnati. And we do one-to-one witnessing at the University of Cincinnati. Check our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://evangelizecincinnati.com/evangelism-outreach-schedule/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelism Outreach Schedule 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           and join us as we Evangelize Cincinnati.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Cincinnati"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 22 Nov 2022 13:30:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-cincinnati-game-summary-11-11-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/insta+size+David+Doerman+University+of+Cincinnati+Outreach+SFOI+11-11-22+uc+copy.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Music City Grand Prix Nashville '22 Outreach Ministry Report - Ben</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-nashville-22-outreach-ministry-report-ben</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           21 Evangelists sharing the glorious gospel in Nashville!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Report from
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ben Grady
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Try+instasize+Ben+Grady+Grand+Prix+Nashville+Outreach+SFOI.jpg" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Video below - Quick view of activity at the Nashville Grand Prix
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/nashville-grand-prix#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2022 20:56:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/music-city-grand-prix-nashville-22-outreach-ministry-report-ben</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Try+instasize+Ben+Grady+Grand+Prix+Nashville+Outreach+SFOI.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-21-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-21-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-21-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sit at the Table
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at the table.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%2012:2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 12:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He is to be envied. It was fine to be Martha and serve, but better to be Lazarus and enjoy. There are times for each purpose, and each is fitting in its season, but none of the trees of the garden yield such clusters as the vine of fellowship. To sit with Jesus, to hear His words, to mark His acts and receive His smiles was such a favor as must have made Lazarus as happy as the angels. When it has been our happy privilege to feast with our Beloved in His banqueting hall, we would not have given half a sigh for all the kingdoms of the world, if so much breath could have bought them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He is to be imitated. It would have been a strange thing if Lazarus had not been at the table where Jesus was, for he had been dead, and Jesus had raised him. For the risen one to be absent when the Lord who gave him life was at his house would have been dreadfully ungrateful. We too were once dead, yes, and like Lazarus bound in the grave of sin. Jesus raised us, and by His life we live. Can we be content to live at a distance from Him? Do we fail to remember Him at His table, where He deigns to feast with His brethren?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is cruel! It behooves us to repent and do as He has bidden us, for His least wish should be law to us. To have lived without constant fellowship with Jesus, who loved him so dearly, would have been disgraceful to Lazarus. Is it then excusable in us whom Jesus has loved with an everlasting love? To have been cold to Him who wept over his lifeless corpse would have shown a lack of feeling in Lazarus. What does it say of us over whom the Savior has not only wept but bled? Come, brethren, who read this portion; let us return to our heavenly Bridegroom and ask for His Spirit, that we may be on terms of closer intimacy with Him and never miss the opportunity to sit at the table with Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/11/21/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/11/21/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2022 15:04:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-21-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-18-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-18-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-18-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Everlasting
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You are from everlasting.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2093:2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 93:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ is everlasting. Of Him we may sing with David, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.”1 Rejoice, believer, in Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus always was. The Baby born in Bethlehem was united to the Word, which was in the beginning, by whom all things were made. The title by which Christ revealed Himself to John in Patmos was, “[Him] who is and who was and who is to come.”2 If He was not God from everlasting, we could not love Him so devoutly; we could not feel that He had any share in the eternal love that is the fountain of all covenant blessings. But since He was from all eternity with the Father, we trace the stream of divine love to Himself equally with His Father and the blessed Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As our Lord always was, so also He is forevermore. Jesus is not dead; “he always lives to make intercession for them.”3 Resort to Him in all your times of need, for He is always waiting to bless you. Furthermore, Jesus our Lord ever shall be. If God should spare your life to fulfill your full course of threescore years and ten, you will find that His cleansing fountain is still opened, and His precious blood has not lost its power; you will find that the Priest who filled the healing font with His own blood lives to purge you from all iniquity. When only your last battle remains to be fought, you will find that the hand of your conquering Captain has not grown feeble—the living Savior shall cheer the dying saint. When you enter heaven you shall find Him there bearing the dew of His youth; and through eternity the Lord Jesus will still remain the perennial spring of joy and life and glory to His people. You may draw living waters from this sacred well!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus always was, He always is, He always shall be. He is eternal in all His attributes, in all His offices, in all His might and willingness to bless, comfort, guard, and crown His chosen people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Psalm 45:6
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           2) Revelation 1:8
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           3) Hebrews 7:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/11/18/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/11/18/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Nov 2022 15:03:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-18-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Georgia Game Summary - 11/5/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-georgia-game-summary-11-5-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/burt_alex"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           TN vs UGA, Saturday November 5, 2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           First and foremost, I want to thank the men who went to the stadium and shared the Gospel. I was unable to go, due to a physical condition, but I am thankful for the men who stepped up and made the outreach happen. Scott Phillips, who is a faithful preacher of the Gospel, took the reigns and led the team. Thanks to Dennis Clark, Stirling Long (Falcons evangelist), and Doug Renz (Ga Tech evangelist) for making the drive to be with Scott for the outreach. A special thank you to my bride Kim for driving down to Athens and shuttling the guys to the stadium. Rich Suplita was also there helping another brother with an outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            It was a huge crowd as you can see in the picture below. The Gospel was heralded for 3 hours as Tennessee and UGA fans passed by or were just hanging out on the bridge. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/TN+v+UGA+Pic+University+of+Georgia+Alex+Burt+11-5-22.JPG" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/TN+v+UGA+Collage+University+of+Georgia+Alex+Burt+11-5-22.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We have one more home game on Thanksgiving weekend as Ga Tech comes to Athens. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Georgia"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Georgia
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Nov 2022 04:12:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-georgia-game-summary-11-5-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/TN+v+UGA+Collage+University+of+Georgia+Alex+Burt+11-5-22.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-17-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-17-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Life Hidden in Christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Col.%203%3A1-4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 3:1-4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An angel appeared to a lowly woman in Nazareth, an insignificant city, as she was minding her own business – betrothed to a carpenter, an unimportant man. The angel declared her chosen. She would be the mother of God. And so it was. And she lived on, and we know surprisingly little about it. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Gerasene demoniac lived among the tombs, cutting himself, crying out during the night, breaking his chains, naked and maniacal, and then a rabbi came to town, and he became the welcome party. After all the others had turned away, he was the only one to sit at the rabbi’s feet, to beg to go with him, clothed and sane. And he lived on, and we know nothing more.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Samaritan woman went to a well in the heat of the day when no one else would go, for shame. Her sexual history was scandalous, and she wasn’t living any better now. She went to be alone, and a Jewish traveler found her there. He told her about real life, eternal life, and living waters. And she became an evangelist to her people, the people she had been avoiding. And many came to hear Christ. And she lived on, and we know nothing more.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A poor man lived in squalor, unloved, unaided. The dogs licked his festering sores. He was laid at the gate of a rich man, a man who must be loved by God, because he was rich—he had all the toys. And yet both men died, and that poor Lazarus found himself in heaven, chosen by God, and the rich man, who had enjoyed his heaven here, and paid no mind to Lazarus at his gate, was in hell. And he lived on, and we nothing more, nor need we.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joshua sent his spies into Jericho. The king searched for them, and toward no good end. But a prostitute hid them. She risked her life. And they lived. And the line of the Savior ran through Rahab. And she lived on, and we know little about it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A tax collector went up to the temple to pray. He was ashamed. He stood in the back. He kept his eyes on the floor. In the front was a Pharisee. He prayed to be seen. He paraded his works in prayer. He was a holy man, unlike the tax collector. And yet it was the tax collector, who could only pray, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” who went home justified. And he lived on, and we know nothing more.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A woman out of whom seven demons had been cast went sorrowfully to her Master’s tomb. He’d delivered her from possession. He’d given her hope and community. And now he was dead. And she grieved. But then the stone was rolled away. And she was told he was not there, that he was risen. And she became the first to proclaim the resurrection. And she lived on, and we know little about it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And here we are today, all of us with our sins and sinfulness, some known, some not. Here we are, as we are, no heroes of holiness, no dream team of righteousness, and yet, nonetheless, God declares us his own, adopts us as his children, and calls us what we know we are not in and of ourselves: holy and righteous; justified. And we live on, and few know much about it at all. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ came, and his glory was hidden while that of his opponents was on full display. Christ came, and he was accused of unrighteousness, while his opponents flaunted their own. Christ came, and the church and the state wanted him not, choosing Caiaphas and Caesar instead. Christ came, and he came like a hidden treasure, a treasure only fully revealed on Easter Sunday. It was hidden for a long time, but with his resurrection it was revealed, and it is now ours, as he is ours. It is ours, and yet it’s hidden in us. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Old Testament church of Jesus’ day had lost its focus. Religious leaders were on display, and the mercy of God obscured. People were pointed to themselves and not the Messiah. This church has become a showroom for fake saints rather than a hospital for sinners. Commands had been multiplied and promises muddled. The institution had forgotten its purpose. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The medieval church of Luther’s day had lost its focus. Religious leaders were on display and the mercy of God obscured. People were pointed to themselves and not the Messiah. This church has become a showroom for fake saints rather than a hospital for sinners. Commands had been multiplied and promises muddled. The institution had forgotten its purpose.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luther wrote, “Therefore, we may consider it certain and firmly established that the soul can lack everything except the word of God. Without it, absolutely nothing else satisfies the soul. But when [the] soul has the word, it is rich and needs nothing else because the word of God is the word of life, truth, light, peace, righteousness, salvation, joy, freedom, wisdom, power, grace, glory, and every imaginable blessing” (Luther, The Freedom of a Christian, 491).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the law cannot save because while we can work at doing it, we can never fulfill it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luther insisted, “Thus, to preach Christ means to feed, justify, free, and save the soul—provided a person believes the preaching” (ibid., 491).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The law is a necessary thing. It shows us our sin. It shows us our need for a Savior. But
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the law cannot save because while we can work at doing it, we can never fulfill it. It’s a merciless taskmaster because it wasn’t given to show mercy but to uphold justice. And so it’s a terrifying thing to be left only with the law – alone with the law. No one should be. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God refused to leave Adam and Eve like that when they sinned but gave them a promise, the promise of a Savior. He did the same with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And yet in Jesus’ day, and in Luther’s, there was a great need for the promise to sound forth again. And so in Jesus’ day, the promise appeared, flesh and blood. And so in Luther’s day, that promise did the same with renewed vigor, through preaching, with bread and wine and water. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luther said of those who preached the law but botched the gospel: “These ‘work-saints’ cannot get rid of this [monster] unless faith, its destroyer, comes and rules in the heart” (ibid., 518). Only faith can free us from ourselves, can hide us. And faith does this by setting our eyes and hearts elsewhere, on another, a Hero, a Deliverer, on Christ. As with John the Baptist, Christ increases, and we decrease, and in this way, we are free. Christ is revealed, and we are hidden, and Christ who lived for us, now lives in us and through us for our neighbor. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You are a child of God. You’re blameless, holy, perfect, and righteous. Don’t feel that way? Too bad. God is greater than your heart.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You are a child of God. You’re blameless, holy, perfect, and righteous. And you aren’t this by your works. You’re this by Word. Yes, your works will reflect this, however imperfectly, but your works will never make you what you are. They flow from it. You are what God says you are. You’re blameless, holy, perfect, and righteous. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luther said, “Thus ‘the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field’ (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%2013%3A44/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 13:44
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The field is dirty in contrast to the treasure; while the one is trodden underfoot, the other is picked up. And yet the field hides the treasure. So also ‘our life is hid with Christ in God’” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Col.%203%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 3:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )…. (LW 25:383).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are God’s field. And through the preaching of the Word, God has sown his seed. We are baptized. God’s treasure is ours, and lives in us and through us. And yet, in this life, that treasure is hidden. The field is dirty. It has rocks and thorns. But the treasure is there. We know it is, because Christ is here, preached, taken in the Supper, poured from the font. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Being who God says we are, that is true freedom.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He is here, revealed, and so we are hidden. We are hidden, but we are what God says, and that is what the Reformation was about. We live in Christ through faith and in our neighbor through love. This is Luther’s reminder to us today. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Most of the time, we are afraid of being what people might say we are. That’s why we hide our sins and only reveal our strengths. But
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           being who God says we are, that is true freedom. We need not pretend anymore. We can confess our sins and find strength in our weakness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So when the devil accuses, when the world shames, when your own heart and mind and flesh and blood abandon you, remember where to look. You are what God says, but you are hidden. Christ was hidden but is hidden no more. Now he is revealed for you. Look to him and know that what he is, you are, and what is his, that is yours. Amen. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles//a-life-hidden-in-christ" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles//a-life-hidden-in-christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 17 Nov 2022 14:40:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-16-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-16-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-16-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Gramercy
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No, I’m not talking about Gramercy Park, New York City – although I’ll come back to that. I’m referring to an old English word, gramercy, used by Shakespeare, that is derived from the French, grand mercy, meaning ‘heartfelt, big thanks’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That said, the name ‘Gramercy’ for the only locked private park in New York was derived from the Dutch, Krom Moerasje, ‘little crooked swamp’ – which is what the park originally was.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now permit me a personal note about Judith’s and my ‘heartfelt thanks’ following September 11, 2001. That day we were living Downtown in the New York City financial district, quite near the Twin Towers. With the destruction of the towers, our apartment building was in the original Ground Zero. We needed to find a new place to live.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Unexpectedly, I received a call asking if we would be interested in moving to an apartment in the Gramercy area. ‘Yes, please!’ How heartfelt our thanks were – to the Lord and to the phone-caller. For us ‘gramercy’ took us back to the earlier English meaning. It also reminded us of the ‘big thanks’ everyone of us owes God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider the scene of Jesus’ crucifixion in Luke chapter 23, beginning at verse 33.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two others, criminals, were crucified with Jesus at a place known as The Skull (which in Latin is calvaria, hence our ‘Calvary’). The positioning of Jesus between these two seems a deliberate way of implying that he was just another criminal. This also fulfilled the prophecy: He was numbered with the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We can identify two important themes – a prayer and a promise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Prayer. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing’ (23:34).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Everyone watching that day knew Jesus was innocent. They knew the injustice of it all. So, for whom was he praying? Some suggest his prayer was for the soldiers, but in that case he might have said, ‘Father, understand their situation’. They were doing their duty. Others say his prayer was for the Jewish leaders who had stirred events that led to his crucifixion.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We make better sense of the prayer when we read it all: ‘for they do not know what they are doing’. Jesus was praying for people who shut their minds to the voice of truth. Yes, he was praying for the Jewish leaders who taunted him (23:35). And he was praying for the Roman soldiers who mocked him as the ‘King of the Jews’ (23:36f). Significantly, with his prayer he was putting into practice the law of neighbor love that he had spoken about in his parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:28-34). In his hour of crisis, he prayed for others and forgave them their ignorance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But, he was also praying for his followers and the watching crowd. And, let me suggest he was praying then for you and me now. At one time or another we have all have mocked the dying Christ. Deep down all of us have rejected his claims to be our Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An inscription stating the charges against Jesus, was put over his head in accord with normal Roman practice. Significantly, Pilate wrote: This is the King of the Jews (23:38). He quoted back to the Jewish leaders their accusation against Jesus. In doing so, the Roman governor was also stating the deeper truth we find in Luke’s narrative: Jesus is the king of the Jews. He is the Messiah and the Lord. This theme is illustrated in the conversation that follows.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Promise. One of the criminals being crucified with Jesus was contemptuous: ‘Are you not the Christ?’ he mocked. ‘Save yourself and us!’ (23:39). He chose to die as he had lived – dismissive of anything religious. Even his colleague was shocked, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?’ he said (23:40). As a minister who has been at the bedside of many dying people, it is tragic to witness this kind of death. There is no peace and no hope of the future.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The second criminal chose another path: ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,’ he asked (23:42). Now this man’s life was no better than his colleague’s. He freely admitted that he and his colleague deserved to die – ‘receiving the due reward of our deeds’ (23:41). Yet, as he died, he reflected on his own unworthiness compared with the innocence he recognized within Jesus. His conscience was stirred.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Something about Jesus impressed him. It may have been the sharp contrast between Jesus’ prayer and the bitter anger of his colleague. He knew Jesus was innocent: ‘This man has done nothing wrong,’ he said (23:41). However bad his life may have been, he feared God enough to recognize his need.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The simplicity and directness of his requests are striking. He isn’t religious or pretentious. He may have remembered what he was taught as a boy about God, and about God’s promise that one day he would send a successor to the great King David. Perhaps he began to see that Jesus was that king, and so he asked the king for a place in his kingdom – when Jesus was enthroned.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His repentance came in the closing hours of his life; his faith may have been no bigger than a mustard seed, but Jesus made a promise: ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise’ (23:43). Paradise was a Persian word meaning garden. Found a number of times in the Old Testament it had a special reference to the Garden of Eden. Used here, it is a metaphor for the experience of God’s blessing in the world or age to come.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus was assuring this man of the blessing he would know on his death. His dying would not be without hope. And his experience would be immediate: ‘Today’ you will experience this. There would be no purgatory or hell. We can hear the echoes of King David’s Psalm 23: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I fear no evil, for you are with me… To die with Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is very different from dying without him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The repentant criminal would have died that day with hope in his heart. With heartfelt, big thanks to Jesus who made that promise he could have said from the depth of his soul: Gramercy!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Which brings me back to a personal comment. Having been given sanctuary after 9/11, Judith and I used gramercy in its old English sense to express our heartfelt thanks to the Lord for protecting us and for providing us with a new home and, in turn a place where we could launch what became Christ Church NYC and later, in 2010, what is now Emmanuel Anglican Church NYC.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In God’s mercy, the ministry that ‘God is the Lord whose nature is always to have mercy’, continues in both churches today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. God our Father, whose will is to bring all things to order and unity in our Lord Jesus Christ; grant that all the peoples of the world, now divided and torn apart by sin, may be brought together in his kingdom of love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OibIi1rz7mw" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may want to listen to Christ Our Hope in Life and Death from Keith and Kristyn Getty and Matt Papa
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/gramercy/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/gramercy/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 17 Nov 2022 14:38:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-16-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>2022 Season So Far - Dallas Cowboys - Joe Hinson - #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/2022-season-so-far-dallas-cowboys-joe-hinson-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+Dallas+Cowboys+SFOI1000+Outreach.jpeg" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Report from Joe
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - We've had good responses at each game many people are encouraged and appreciate what we're doing. A fan this week actually recognized me from a different outreach at another part of town. So far this years it's just been my younger son Ben and I. Many tracts, somewhere in the hundreds are getting passed out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Dallas-Cowboys"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Dallas-Cowboys
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 16 Nov 2022 18:45:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/2022-season-so-far-dallas-cowboys-joe-hinson-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+Dallas+Cowboys+SFOI1000+Outreach.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-15-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/my-post11c85ab2</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-15-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peace that Passes all Understanding
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is one of the better known passages in Scripture:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%204%3A6%E2%80%937/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 4:6–7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That’s certainly easy enough: prayer + thankfulness = peace. Go through the steps, get to peace. Then why doesn’t the formula work? When I am anxious I pray, but my mind keeps drifting back to the anxious circumstance, and before I know it I am trying to solve the problem. After again confessing my distractibility, I get back to praying, only to have the cycle continue. Thinking I might do better at thanksgiving, I write out a thanks list, but the list rarely dislodges my anxiety, and for good reason. No matter how long the list, there is no guarantee that I will be spared my most recent doomsday scenarios.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now what? I just tried one of the classic passages on anxiety and it didn’t work.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A-ha, there is a clue. I was looking for a pill. I visited God-my-pharmacist and asked what to take for my anxiety. That’s not the way Scripture works. I should have noticed it when I reduced the passage to a formula. Scripture, instead, is about the triune God. It is about knowing and trusting a person, and our formulas can actually turn us away from that person and cause us to rely on a series of steps.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So go back to the passage and look for the Prince of Peace (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Isa.%209%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 9:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord Is Near
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Commands such as “do not be anxious” typically come after the reason why we don’t have to be anxious. In this case, the reason was slipped into the preceding verse: “The Lord is at hand” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Phil.%204%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 4:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That changes everything. The emphasis is not on how we pray. It is on the God who has come close, who hears, and who is with us. The only thing that could separate us from His love and presence are our sins, and they have been washed away by Jesus’ blood.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isn’t it true that the presence of another person in our frightful situations can lessen our fears? Fear doesn’t want a series of impersonal steps; it wants a person. Walk in an unknown dark place by yourself and you are afraid. Hold someone’s hand while you are in that dark place and fears ebb. If we are comforted by the presence of a mere human being, who might be less strong and brave than ourselves, how much more will we be comforted by the sworn presence of the reigning Christ?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is the path toward peace and comfort. Meditate on Immanuel, which means “God with Us.” Remember how the Spirit of Jesus has been given to us (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2014%3A27/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 14:27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He is not limited by a physical body that confines Him to one place and one person at a time. He is with all God’s people all the time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Immanuel Will Give Us Manna
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But what will He do when He is with us? Will He give us the money we need? Will He zap the person who wants to do us harm? Will He keep the kids from all accidents? We have a pretty good idea that the answer to these questions is “not always.” We know that bad things happen to God’s people. So what difference does God’s presence mean when, although He is the Almighty God, He doesn’t always use His power in the way we would like? We feel like we are left where we started—trusting in some steps that we hope will make us feel more peace. There must be more that God says.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And there is more. First, we should understand that when God says He is present (or hears, sees, remembers), He is saying that He is doing something. He is never a passive bystander. Second, what He is doing is this: He gives us what we need when we need it (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%206%3A19%E2%80%9334/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 6:19–34
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). In the New Testament He says that He will give us the grace we need, and that grace is part of a tradition that began with the appearance of manna for the needy Israelites. In times of trouble, God promises to give us the manna that we need.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He even spells out how this will happen (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ex.%2016/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). There are times when we will feel like destitute wanderers in the wilderness with little hope of food and water. God will then give us manna at the time we need it. He won’t give us so much that we will have enough for tomorrow because then we would just start trusting in the manna rather than trusting Immanuel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The emphasis is not on how we pray. It is on the God who has come close, who hears, and who is with us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God makes a promise. He will give you manna—or grace—when you need it, but not before. That means you will be anxious if you forecast the future because you are making your prediction based on the manna you have left over from today, and there is none. What you don’t factor into your prediction is that you will receive fresh grace when you need it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That should sound familiar. Think of the times you dreaded an upcoming event and it was not as bad as you anticipated. You were given manna when you needed it. Think of the times when you were surprised by something especially difficult. Though painful, you received grace to endure with faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We will have hardships in life, of that there is no doubt. Scripture does not offer a kingdom that spares us from pain. The King does promise, however, that He will be with us in every trial and will give us all the manna we need so that we can know Him better, trust Him, live for Him, and be increasingly transformed to look more like Jesus no matter what the wilderness of life might throw at us. In other words, He will give us the best of gifts when we need help. Manna was pointing forward to something much better (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Deut.%208%3A2%E2%80%933/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deut. 8:2–3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ); it was pointing to the Bread of Life who would satisfy our hunger in such a way that we wouldn’t always feel hungry two hours later. Manna was pointing to Jesus and what we are given in His death and resurrection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you notice any hope stirring? The opposite of anxiety is hope. Anxiety predicts that manna will not come. Hope predicts that God will be with us and give us something better than manna. Where does peace fit in? Peace is the companion of hope.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Humility Is the Path
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hope and peace don’t come without a fight. God is pleased to work hope and peace in us surely but gradually. They come as we meditate, feed on Scripture, feed on Christ, and keep calling out for manna and grace. The kingdom of God advances through weakness and dependence on the King, not through quick and bloodless victories. If you are feeling a bit weak, you are probably on the right path.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Essential to this battle with fear and anxiety is the gift of humility. It fits perfectly, doesn’t it? In our anxiety we are usually concerned about things we love. We want control. We want to take matters into our own hands to protect our future, but we are finding that it is impossible to manage all possible contingencies. We want to protect our kingdom. Find anxiety and you often find that your agenda is more important to you than God’s. You might find that you adopt your own interpretation of God’s world rather than submit to God’s clear words about His power, love, and care.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here is how the Apostle Peter makes the link between humility and anxiety:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Peter%205%3A6%E2%80%937/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Peter 5:6–7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He is asking us to do just one thing—humble ourselves before the Lord. Humility is expressed by casting our anxieties on the mighty and trustworthy one.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When a child’s fears are not assuaged by a parent’s attempts at comfort, the child is essentially saying either that the monster under the bed is stronger than the parent, or the parent doesn’t really care about the child’s best interests. The child’s fear shows his or her lack of trust or confidence in the parent. Humility, in contrast, hears the voice of the parent and believes that the parent can be trusted, even when the evidence suggests that circumstances are out of control. Humility says, “I believe you more than I believe my eyes or my imagination.” Humility is submissive.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This means that mere information and knowledge will not bring peace. Even more, we must respond to what we hear with humility and trust.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pursue Peace for God’s Glory
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are steps toward peace, but they are a little different than the steps we take in following a recipe. These steps are all personal. Know the God who comes near, expect the better manna, and walk before him in humility. Don’t give up on the pursuit of peace. Peace will make you feel better, which is a good thing, but there is something greater at stake. In a world where true peace seems impossible, we want to be ambassadors who say that real peace is available to us only in the Prince of Peace. This, indeed, will bring glory to God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/peace-passes-all-understanding" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/peace-passes-all-understanding
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2022 16:07:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/my-post11c85ab2</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Ohio State University Game Summary - 10/22/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-ohio-state-university-game-summary-10-22-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelist: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/coughlin_michael"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Michael Coughlin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Paul Huston preaching on Oct 22 at OSU. Jeremy, Matt, Joe, Paul and I ministered there that day. Paul's in the orange shirt. God bless.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/OHIO-STATE-UNIVERSITY"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/OHIO-STATE-UNIVERSITY
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2022 16:00:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-ohio-state-university-game-summary-10-22-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Michael+Coughlin+Ohio+State+University+Outreach+SFOI1000+10-22-22.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-14-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-14-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-14-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Heavenly Rule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Laban said, “It is not so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Genesis%2029:26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 29:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We do not excuse Laban for his dishonesty, but we are wrong not to learn from the custom that he quoted as his excuse. There are some things that must be taken in order, and if we would win the second we must secure the first. The second may be the more lovely in our eyes, but the rule of the heavenly country must stand, and the elder must be married first. For instance, many men desire the beautiful and well-favored Rachel of joy and peace in believing, but they must first be married to the tender-eyed Leah of repentance. Everyone falls in love with happiness, and many would cheerfully work for fourteen years to enjoy it; but according to the rule of the Lord's kingdom, the Leah of real holiness must be loved in our soul before the Rachel of true happiness can be attained. Heaven stands not first but second, and only by persevering to the end can we win a portion in it. The cross must be carried before the crown can be worn. We must follow our Lord in His humiliation or we will never rest with Him in glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My soul, what do you say—are you so vain as to hope to be an exception to the heavenly rule? Do you hope for reward without work, or honor without endeavor? Dismiss the idle expectation, and be content with the despised things for the sake of the sweet love of Jesus, which will more than repay you. In such a spirit, working and suffering, you will find afflictions grow sweet and hard things easy. Like Jacob, your years of service will seem like only a few days on account of the love you have for Jesus; and when the dear hour of the wedding feast shall come, all your toils will be as though they never happened—an hour with Jesus will make up for years of pain and toil.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus, to win Thyself so fair,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thy cross I will with gladness bear:
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Since so the rules of heaven ordain,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first I'll wed the next to gain.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/11/14/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/11/14/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2022 15:53:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-14-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of South Carolina Football Game Summary - 10/29/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-south-carolina-football-game-summary-10-29-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/clark_jamie"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jamie Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Large crowds were on hand for the Gamecocks homecoming this past Saturday as they went against Missouri. Nick O'Berry and Jamie Clark shared the Gospel with many of the fans through open air preaching as well as handing out many tracts. Not as many were receptive to one on one conversations though a handful of believers stopped to offer encouragement. Pleas pray for all who heard Christ proclaimed.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/UniversityofSC"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/UniversityofSC
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2022 04:21:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-south-carolina-football-game-summary-10-29-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/University+of+South+Carolina+Jamie+Clark+10-29-22+SFOI1000.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Ohio State University Game Summary - 10/1/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-ohio-state-university-game-summary-10-1-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelist: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/coughlin_michael"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Michael Coughlin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Jeremy, Matt, Paul and Wesley joined me today.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch short clip below for highlights from the Outreach.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/OHIO-STATE-UNIVERSITY"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/OHIO-STATE-UNIVERSITY
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Nov 2022 19:45:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-ohio-state-university-game-summary-10-1-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Michael+Coughlin+Ohio+State+University+SFOI1000+10-1-22.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Auburn University Game Summary - 10/29/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-auburn-university-game-summary-10-29-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/cohen_ben"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ben
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            * &amp;amp;
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/day_david"&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Day
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/29 -  David Day: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The Lord showed His goodness by His actions this Saturday. Many heard the preaching of the Word. It was an early game so less than usual, but still a great opportunity. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some stopped to talk, many took tracts. There was quite a few scoffers too. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But still, the Lord is kind to have His Gospel shared.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Auburn-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Auburn-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Nov 2022 16:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-auburn-university-game-summary-10-29-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/3+Auburn+University+Outreach+SFOI1000+David+Day+10-29-22.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Alabama Game Summary - 10/22/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-alabama-game-summary-10-22-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/sullivan_larry"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Larry Sullivan
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Alabama vs MSU. Evangelist: Larry Sullivan, James Conor and Josh Carmichael
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Alabama"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Alabama
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-alabama-game-summary-10-22-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/2+University+of+Alabama+Outreach+SFOI1000+Larry+Sullivan+10-22-22.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Indianapolis Colts Football Game Summary - 10/30/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-indianapolis-colts-football-game-summary-10-30-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/ninde_brian?_gl=1*1klgboa*_ga*MTcwMTc5OTAzNy4xNjM4OTEyMTUw*_ga_LM1Y84QLBE*MTY2MTkxMjQ1MS43MzUuMS4xNjYxOTEyNDU2LjAuMC4w"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brian Ninde
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Indianapolis+Colts+SFOI1000+Outreach+Brian+Ninde+10-30-22.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Brian, Jane, Rob, Debra, David, Daniel, Bryan, Bradley, Heath &amp;amp; JD
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            (We had a few extra this game from a local church who wanted to participate.)
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Indianapolis-Colts"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Indianapolis-Colts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sun, 13 Nov 2022 20:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-indianapolis-colts-football-game-summary-10-30-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Indianapolis+Colts+SFOI1000+Outreach+Brian+Ninde+10-30-22.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 North Carolina State University Game Summary - 11/5/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-north-carolina-state-university-game-summary-11-5-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/waltz_tommy"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tommy Waltz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           11/5 -
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Joseph Toy - North Carolina State University football game on Saturday November 5.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There were four workers. Kevin Creasy, Peter Firth, Daniel Springs and Joseph Toy. Passed out 300 gospel tracts. Some short conversations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/North-Carolina-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/North-Carolina-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sun, 13 Nov 2022 15:30:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-north-carolina-state-university-game-summary-11-5-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/2+North+Carolina+State+University+Outreach+SFOI1000+Tommy+Waltz+11-5-22.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Cincinnati Bengals Game Summary - 10/23/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-cincinnati-bengals-game-summary-10-23-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/doerman_david"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave Doerman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/23 - Gospel Proclamation to Bengals fans. Special Treat: Bengals Chaplain and former Bengal Linebacker Vincent Rey stopped by to encourage 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014994346892&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWCYmrDkKgz2zxhvaaei6Q08zFNTAPLoL-XB2Maakgfs9ZF8cs6R1fyuLmuCVRzweEF64RxUbViTCc8aWLMgAWUjp3NNG_6S41HCMioBifSy-crxvhBVcm7biVtERERc17qLuF82Z2t4zF7TYw1hAs2&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eric Williams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            as the gospel went out. We are praying for fruit. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/sfoi1000/?__cft__[0]=AZWCYmrDkKgz2zxhvaaei6Q08zFNTAPLoL-XB2Maakgfs9ZF8cs6R1fyuLmuCVRzweEF64RxUbViTCc8aWLMgAWUjp3NNG_6S41HCMioBifSy-crxvhBVcm7biVtERERc17qLuF82Z2t4zF7TYw1hAs2&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI-1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Alex Burt
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Cincinnati+Bengals+Outreach+SFOI1000+David+Doerman+10-23-22.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelize Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We proclaim the gospel at sporting events around Cincinnati. And we do one-to-one witnessing at the University of Cincinnati. Check our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://evangelizecincinnati.com/evangelism-outreach-schedule/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelism Outreach Schedule 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           and join us as we Evangelize Cincinnati.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Cincinnati-Bengals"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Cincinnati-Bengals
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 12 Nov 2022 23:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-cincinnati-bengals-game-summary-10-23-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Cincinnati+Bengals+Outreach+SFOI1000+David+Doerman+10-23-22.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Boise State University Game Summary - 11/5/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-boise-state-university-game-summary-11-5-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelist: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/grubb_rod"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rod Grubb
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Boise State University 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWAv18CnrMnz4OhjBe0qnZlRbsi5z4csm7xfKAbzKttD2ghtX03oQ_3aD4cT_dhooO1oyhtzU-wm3fSuhj4-ZKKVmswqWDE69dThXPNoPU_aBWb_r-Eey6P6PtG-aU7Kts&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (vs. BYU)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           11/5/2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This afternoon, BSU squared off against Brigham Young University at Albertsons Stadium. It was much colder today than last week because of our recent snow storm. Temps were brisk—hovering in the mid 40’s with windy and cloudy conditions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our team today consisted of Robert Viera and his son, Ben; Rick Cordoba; and Tom Haines (who was outreaching for the first time today). We returned to the south end of the stadium near the opposing team buses. If you recall from last week, this is where BSU campus security advised us to go after asking us to leave the vendor area near the C Gate.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Well, once again were visited by campus security and advised to cease passing out tracts and to vacate our new location for the same reason. Eventually, Robert was confronted by 3 Boise PD and 2 BSU Public Security Officers after he commenced to open-air preach instead of tracting. Sadly, this too was prohibited.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were directed to vacate the campus and go out to the nearby public street, University Dr. I conversed briefly with the officers and questioned why a publicly financed university could be considered private property. Apparently, it’s the same reason that entire blocks of public streets can be treated the same way. Event organizers are allowed to pay our public officials for the right to restrict public access for these events and then set their own access policies.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That being understood, I thanked the officers for their service and departed to the sidewalk frontage adjacent to the stadium. And just like last we, praise be to God, we enjoyed an excellent afternoon of passing out tons of tracts. Unfortunately, we didn’t find the sidewalk conducive to open-air preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We found that certain intersections along University Dr. were packed with foot traffic, especially right before kickoff. I personally went through 500 plus tracts in no time! All told, we ended up handing out around 1K tracts, PTL
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was using LW’s Patriotic MDB’s (or USA Money, as I called them) while the rest of the team were using LW’s “Are You a Good Person”/Mr. Nice Guy tracts. I was also blessed to have a brief gospel conversation with one young man!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray that when we return for the final home game on November 25th, that we would be able to freely share the good news without any opposition or restrictions. As I mentioned to the officers before I departed, that we seek only to make Christ known and to bring glory to God. May they stand convicted, along with the many football fans who were impacted by the gospel today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And BTW, many BYU fans received gospel tracts as well. May the Lord open their hearts to His true gospel of grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed in Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone. Yay Jesus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Boise-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Boise-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 12 Nov 2022 20:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-boise-state-university-game-summary-11-5-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Rod+Grubb+Boise+State+University+Outreach+11-5-22.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Boise State University Game Summary - 10/29/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-boise-state-university-game-summary-10-29-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelist: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/grubb_rod"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rod Grubb
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Boise State University 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZX96tmOzNUv92ZAUwQ0WPIEVwOxDqZrt2HUOyg9S22unA2aGRNpCf4o7Wt9GefftqQ6SlLzjWRNNUNOUvc1aeonv0khPOh8zO7_WY05nB55y_P938Yvo08Ek_trpILD4zw&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (vs. Colorado State)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/29/2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yesterday afternoon, our small outreach team enjoyed a beautiful fall outreach day, for 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/boisestate?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZX96tmOzNUv92ZAUwQ0WPIEVwOxDqZrt2HUOyg9S22unA2aGRNpCf4o7Wt9GefftqQ6SlLzjWRNNUNOUvc1aeonv0khPOh8zO7_WY05nB55y_P938Yvo08Ek_trpILD4zw&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #BoiseState
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ’s 4th home game of the year versus Colorado State. The leaves were still turning and falling with beautiful blue skies and sweet autumn temps in the mid 50’s.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was blessed to partner with Robert Viera, his wife Beata. Our outreach began at our usual spot near the C Gate—the main Albertsons Stadium entrance. We arrived a little over two hours prior to the 5pm kickoff.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Last year, and so far this year, we have been free to outreach without official opposition. That changed yesterday as BSU recently changed the use the C Gate area, which is now reserved for paid vendors only. So, we were asked politely by campus security to move to another area adjacent to the south end of the stadium.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We quickly considered our options and decided to check it out the new spot near the stadium tailgate area and visiting team bus parking. As the Lord would have it, this new location was blessed with very heavy foot traffic and it was actually less noisy. This new spot turned out to be an ideal tracting and open-air location, after all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were blessed to be able to pass out nearly 1K tracts along with some solid open-air preaching. We also enjoyed a few brief conversations. Praise be to the Lord for such a blessed outreach opportunity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           BTW, BSU (6-2) bested CSU (2-6) 49-10, on “The Blue,” in front of 33,895 fans. Next up, BYU this coming Saturday, 11/5.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Boise-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Boise-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 12 Nov 2022 03:49:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-boise-state-university-game-summary-10-29-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Rod+Grubb+Boise+State+University+SFOI+1000+10-29-22.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Atlanta Falcons Game Summary - 10/30/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-atlanta-falcons-game-summary-10-30-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/long_stirling"&gt;&#xD;
      
           S
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/long_stirling"&gt;&#xD;
      
           tirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - It was just my wife Carol and I who attended this event. Carol doesn’t preach but helps me with tracts and conversations. Here’s a collage and a snippet of a thought I threw out preaching on Romans 1.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Atlanta+Falcons+Stirling+Long+10-30-22.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling sent this video - watch it now!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Atlanta-Falcons"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/Atlanta-Falcons
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 12 Nov 2022 03:17:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-atlanta-falcons-game-summary-10-30-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Atlanta+Falcons+Stirling+Long+10-30-22.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Colorado State University Game Summary - 10/22/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-colorado-state-university-game-summary-10-22-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/hegarty_pat"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pat Hegarty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            10/22 -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           vs Hawaii
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Pat+Hegarty+Colorado+State+University+SFOI+1000+10-22-22.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/Colorado-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/Colorado-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 12 Nov 2022 02:53:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-colorado-state-university-game-summary-10-22-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Pat+Hegarty+10-22-22+Blog+size+copy.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-11-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-11-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-11-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Best for You
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He chose our heritage for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2047:4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 47:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Believer, if your inheritance is meager, you should be satisfied with your earthly portion; for you may rest assured that it is best for you. Unerring wisdom ordained your lot and selected for you the safest and best condition. When a ship of large tonnage is to be brought up a river that has a large sandbank, if someone should ask, "Why does the captain steer through the deep part of the channel and deviate so much from a straight line?" his answer would be, "Because I could not get my ship into harbor at all if I did not keep to the deep channel."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the same way you would run aground and suffer shipwreck if your divine Captain did not steer you into the depths of affliction where waves of trouble follow each other in quick succession. Some plants die if they have too much sunshine. It may be that you are planted where you get only a little, but you are put there by the loving Farmer because only in that situation will you produce fruit unto perfection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remember this: If any other condition had been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there. You are placed by God in the most suitable circumstances, and if you could choose your lot, you would soon cry, "Lord, choose my heritage for me, for by my self-will I am pierced through with many sorrows." Be content with the things you have, since the Lord has ordered all things for your good. Take up your own daily cross; it is the burden best suited for your shoulder and will prove most effective to make you perfect in every good word and work to the glory of God. Busy self and proud impatience must be put down; it is not for them to choose, but for the Lord of Love!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Trials must and will befall—
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           But with humble faith to see
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Love inscribed upon them all,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is happiness to me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/11/11/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/11/11/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 11 Nov 2022 14:20:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-11-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-10-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-10-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-10-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You Were and  You Are
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "You were taught to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%204%3A22-28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 4:22-28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You were, and you are. That’s the Christian life. You were, and you are, and you “were” and “are” all the way to the grave.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You were, and you are, and you constantly need to be reminded, because you have been baptized, and your old Adam has been drowned, but like a younger sibling dunked in a pool, he still fights furiously to breathe. Only terrible older siblings or traumatized younger siblings will get that reference, I suppose, but as an older sibling I find it helpful.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You were, and you are, and it’s helpful to step back with passages like these and remember what comes before and after. The fact that the passage begins in the middle of a sentence more than hints that such an approach is wise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           St. Paul likes to follow a familiar order in his letters. He greets, he gets to Christ and our justification, and then he turns to the Christian life. We do well to remember the order, as he most certainly intended us to do so. We are loved. We are set free. And then we love, in freedom.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In this chapter of Ephesians, Paul turns to our life together, with neighbor, and specifically with brothers and sisters in Christ. We are one body, he tells us—Christ’s body. We belong to Christ, and in Christ we belong to one another. As such, Paul, a prisoner for the gospel, not for moralizing platitudes, calls us as those gospeled to walk “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%204%3A2-3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 4:2-3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul isn’t naïve. He knows this isn’t an easy task. We must act against our desires. We must be trained by our brothers and sisters, by our neighbors.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We learn humility when life together puts us in our place.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We learn gentleness when we realize we’ve wounded those we love.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We learn patience when they annoy or test us.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We learn to bear each other’s burdens in love when others do the same for us, or trust us with their struggles and sufferings, confiding in us as to Christ.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            We learn to maintain the unity and the bond of peace when division is sown and discord threatens our fellowship, when we forgive as we have been forgiven.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These virtues aren’t abstractions. We don’t learn them intellectually. We don’t practice them like the piano or layups. They’re done to us. We’re taught them by life together. The Scriptures are done to us in our neighbor and done to our neighbor in us. Theology happens. We are tested. We learn to pray.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You are not what you were. You are. You are in Christ, new every day in your baptism, which is never behind you, but always in the historic present.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You’re not new because of what you do. You’re new and so you do new things, even in spite of yourself, because of your sinful nature.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You are not what you were. You are. You are “created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%204%3A23/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 4:23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This isn’t a potentiality. This is a reality, even if it’s also an article of faith, as your life is hidden for now in Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That’s the importance of the “therefore” of our text. You’re not new because of what you do. You’re new and so you do new things, even in spite of yourself, because of your sinful nature.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The struggle isn’t forever, though. Your old self is dying. Your old self has an expiration date, while you don’t. Your old self forevermore was. You are. You are in Christ. And so what comes after the therefore isn’t a verdict. The verdict was delivered long before with an empty tomb.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You were, but now you are. You don’t put on your new self when you withdraw and hide, frightened of sin, paralyzed by the prospect of failure. When you put on your new self you put on your neighbor in love, with the confidence of faith, with clothes that don’t stain and a future that’s never at risk, no matter how vulnerable love freely given may make you feel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The old indeed can get lost. That’s it’s job. It’s the “were.” But you now are, and you are in Christ. You are new, not a work in progress. You are by the gifts of God, and you are by those gifts, a gift of God to others. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/you-were-and-you-are" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/you-were-and-you-are
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 10 Nov 2022 15:26:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-10-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-9-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-9-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-9-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Expect the Unexpected...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           History and archaeology documentaries have made us more aware of past civilizations and the splendor of their buildings. However, while ancient buildings can be awe-inspiring, they testify to the rise and fall of nations. No matter how great an empire may have been, no matter how rich its accomplishments or powerful its armies, it didn’t last.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All of which makes Jesus’ response to his disciples comment about the magnificence of the Jerusalem Temple significant. During the week leading up to his arrest, they remarked on the magnificence of the Temple: …Some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings (Luke 21:5).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the time, the Jerusalem Temple was some fifty years into an eighty-three year reconstruction facilitated by Herod the Great. The temple was immense, constructed of massive stones – some over sixty feet in length. It covered a thirty-five acre site, more than twice the size of the original World Trade Centre Twin Towers site in New York City. Tacitus, a contemporary Roman historian, commented on the grandeur, the beauty and wealth of the Temple (History 5.8.1). Luke himself notes the extensive decoration that adorned it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The unexpected. Jesus’ response to the disciples’ comment was unexpected: ‘…the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down’ (21:6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Just as it would have been outrageous for anyone to have predicted the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York City before September 11, 2001, it would have been even more so for Jesus to say the temple would be razed to the ground. As N.T. Wright observes, ‘The temple occupied central place in the life, religion and imagination of the Jewish people’ (Wright, NT., Luke for everyone (2001), p.251).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The temple signified God’s presence with his people. It was also the place where sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people were made. Foreshadowing its destruction, Jesus pointed to the obsolescence of what the Temple materially represented in terms of God and his people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Earlier in his ministry, Jesus warned of catastrophic events yet to come (Luke 12:35-48; 17:20-37). It’s therefore not surprising the disciples asked: “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” (Luke 21:7).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Their words, these things, are key to the themes that unfold. Three of the Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark and Luke, record Jesus’ words about the last things.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, there are differences. Matthew and Mark for example, weave together Jesus’ words about Jerusalem and the end of time, making it difficult to unravel the themes. Luke however, sets out the two scenes more clearly – perhaps because he writes primarily for a non-Jewish readership.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Central to Jesus’ response about the timing of these things are his words: ‘…And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once’ (21:9). He restates a tension he had already spoken of, namely the tension between immediacy and delay regarding the timing of events (Luke 12:41-48 and Luke 19:11-15).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He expands this by identifying the first two sets of events that we should expect as, under God, the world moves towards an end time: convulsions and persecutions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Convulsions (21:8-11). He begins with a specific warning about false prophets who will come in his name making predictions about the end of time. Don’t be taken by surprise, he continues. There will be an end of time, but before that ‘nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven’ (21:10f).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus warns of wars and conflicts. Three years ago, who would have expected a global pandemic and, twelve months ago, the Russian invasion of Ukraine? Furthermore, Jesus also warns of natural disasters and upheavals.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consistently he taught that by our own efforts we are not good enough to create a world of universal peace. Nor can we control the massive forces that lie beneath the earth’s crust – forces of such magnitude that cause earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We should not be taken by surprise by the rise and fall of nations as well as seismic and climatic events. As Paul the Apostle writes in Romans chapter 8, verses 21 and 22, the present creation is subject to decay and groans in travail awaiting the day when we will enjoy the perfect fulfilment of all God’s promises. Why is it that we live with our eyes so focused on life now that we fail to walk in the light and wisdom of the Lord?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Persecutions (21:12-19). Jesus also warns of occasions when God’s people will be marked out as undesirables – some will be imprisoned and even brought before the heads of state. However, he assures us, we will not be alone. He will equip us with any defence that might be needed: ‘settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer’. To which he added a promise no one could make, except by the authority and power of God: ‘for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict’ (21:14-15).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While Christianity offers light and love, joy and hope to the world, it is the faith the world loves to hate.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We need to take hold of Jesus’ words of warning and encouragement when we encounter the unexpected – praying for his grace and wisdom to remain strong in our faith, secure in his promises. No matter what we may experience, our life with him is assured (Luke 21:19).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let’s also pray for and support those who are persecuted for their faith and look for opportunities to talk with others about the joy and the hope that can be found in Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty and most merciful God, out of your bountiful goodness keep us from everything that may hurt us, so that we may be ready in body and soul cheerfully to accomplish whatever you want us to do: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=936BapRFHaQ" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           He Will Hold Me Fast from Keith and Kristyn Getty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/expect-the-unexpected/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/expect-the-unexpected/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2022 16:21:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-9-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-8-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-8-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-8-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Songs From Exile
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In exile the people of Israel faced the question: “How do you sing the Lord’s song in a strange and foreign land?” The question is similar to that faced by contemporary American Christians. Ours is a spiritual exile as we confront a culture and government increasingly hostile to Christianity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We look to Nehemiah for clues to guide our own pilgrimage in difficult times. Nehemiah was grief-stricken by the news of the condition of Jerusalem. The walls were broken down and its gates burned with fire. His first emotion over the sad loss of his heritage was grief. It was not bitterness or anger. Nehemiah wept and mourned as Jesus would later weep over the same city.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his grief, Nehemiah moved to the next step, prayer and fasting. His prayer was first of all a prayer of adoration for the majestic awe of God and for His faithfulness to His people: “O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even in exile, Nehemiah praised God for His covenant faithfulness. Then the focus of his prayer turned to repentance, pleading with God to forgive the sins of his own people, acknowledging that they had brought exile upon themselves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nehemiah was a cup-bearer to the king. He served in a pagan government as a believer in God. His vocation was that of a servant. He was humble and respectful to the king, but proper fear of his king did not stop him from acting to save his people. He prayed to God and made a request of the king, asking for permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild it. He also asked for letters that he might present to lesser governors for safe conduct and even a grant for building materials.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not all the pagan governors were sanguine toward Nehemiah and his plans. Indeed, some were fiercely resistant to them. When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Neh.%202%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Neh. 2:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But there is nothing unusual about this as it is a common pagan reaction to the mission of the church in any age.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When Nehemiah set about the task of rebuilding his enemies laughed at him and despised him. Nehemiah, though, did not let his critics determine his agenda. He was polite but firm in his response to them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When Nehemiah’s pagan enemies received word that he had rebuilt the walls (but the doors were not yet hung on the gates), they invited him to meet with them in a special “audience.” Nehemiah had no time for this sort of thing, knowing the plans of the enemy were evil. He replied to Sanballat and his cronies, “Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” Sanballat then sent an open letter accusing Nehemiah of a seditious attempt to become a king and other false charges. Nehemiah sent back a message denying the allegations, noting that the charges were but a thinly veiled form of intimidation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nehemiah’s temptation would have been to allow Sanballat and his pagan cohorts to alter the plans and engage in a joint-venture of compromise in the mission. That would have eased the burden on his own people, won him both the applause of the Jews and of the pagans. But Nehemiah cared nothing for the applause of men and was totally unwilling to compromise the mission he had undertaken for God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Instead of worrying about accommodating the pagans, Nehemiah focused on the reforms needed among his own people. It was one thing to rebuild the city; it was quite another to rebuild the people. The paganism Nehemiah feared was not the paganism of the pagans; it was the paganism of his own people. It was not paganism outside the camp that threatened Israel so much as the paganism within the camp.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even in exile, Nehemiah praised God for His covenant faithfulness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The key strategy of Nehemiah may be seen in the closing verses of his book: “And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite; therefore I drove him from me … Thus I cleansed them of everything pagan” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Neh.%2013%3A28%E2%80%9330/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Neh. 13:28–30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nehemiah is not unique in redemptive history. The people of God in every era are called upon to relate to pagans around them. As the New Testament commands, Nehemiah honored the king and prayed for him. He was diligent to give civil obedience where possible without compromising the commands of God. He sought, as the Apostle Paul did, to live at peace with all men.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But neither Nehemiah nor Paul was able to live at peace with all men. There are always pagans like Sanballat or Demetrius of Ephesus who seek the destruction of the work of God. Neither Paul nor Nehemiah responded to such pagans with hatred. But neither did they enter into unholy alliances with them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nor did Nehemiah lead a monastic retreat into the wilderness. Jerusalem was not a monastery, but a city designed to be set on a hill. The task of rebuilding the Holy City was not one of world-withdrawal. Nehemiah understood that the home base of our mission is still the church. The staging zone for the divine operation must be sound if the mission to the world is to be effective.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our readiness to perform our task becomes critical when we realize the world also has a mission to capture and assimilate the church. And if the church becomes an echo of the world, the mission of the world is accomplished.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When the church is paganized there is no need for walls or gates in the city of God. Then the church doesn’t need to worry about singing the Lord’s song—it can sing the songs of the pagan culture because there is no longer a strange and foreign land.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But the people of God are always pilgrims. We are always living in exile if we are living in the kingdom of God. We may respectfully serve the magistrates of this world. We may seek their sanction for the building of our cities and churches—but we cannot expect them to build them for us. It is our task to build the city of God. It is supremely costly and extraordinarily dangerous. He who will work to build the kingdom of God must be on guard against arrows that are directed at his face—but perhaps even more on guard for the arrows directed at his back.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nehemiah’s work provoked hostile reactions from some of the pagans. But the real threat was grounded in the fears of God’s people. When a leader like Nehemiah, Paul, or Jesus Himself provokes a hostile reaction from enemies, the people are prone to turn on them as they bear the fallout from such attacks. Remember, it was the people who feared the wrath of Rome who turned their wrath on Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           True leaders of the Christian faith, however, love believers and pagans alike and risk the hostility of both to build the kingdom of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/songs-from-exile" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/songs-from-exile
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2022 15:54:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-8-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-7-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-7-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-7-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Good Witness
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And you will be my witnesses.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Acts%201:8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Acts 1:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In order to learn how to discharge your duty as a witness for Christ, look at His example. He is always witnessing—by the well of Samaria or in the temple of Jerusalem; by the sea of Galilee or on the mountainside. He is witnessing day and night; His mighty prayers are as vocal to God as His daily services. He witnesses under all circumstances. Scribes and Pharisees cannot shut His mouth; even before Pilate He witnesses a good confession. He witnesses so clearly and distinctly that there is no mistake in understanding Him. Christian, make your life a clear testimony. Be like the stream in which you can see every stone at the bottom—not like a muddy creek where you can only see the surface, but clear and transparent, so that your heart's love for God and man may be visible to all. You need not say, “I am true”; be true. Do not boast of integrity, but be upright. Then your testimony will be such that men cannot help seeing it. Never, on account of fear of feeble man, restrain your witness. Your lips have been warmed with a coal from off the altar; let them speak as heaven-touched lips should do. “In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand.”1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do not watch the clouds or consult the wind; in season and out of season witness for the Savior, and if it transpires that for Christ's sake and the Gospel's you must endure suffering in any shape, do not shrink, but rejoice in the honor conferred upon you, that you are counted worthy to suffer with your Lord. And find joy also in this—that your sufferings, your losses, and persecutions shall make you a platform from which with more vigor and with greater power you will witness for Christ Jesus. Study your great example, and be filled with His Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remember that you need much teaching, much upholding, much grace, and much humility if your witnessing is to be to your Master's glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Ecclesiastes 11:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/11/07/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/11/07/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Nov 2022 17:48:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-7-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-4-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-4-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-4-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ Revealed
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In your light do we see light.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2036:9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 36:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No lips can tell the love of Christ to the heart until Jesus Himself shall speak within. Descriptions all fall flat and feeble unless the Holy Spirit fills them with life and power; until God makes Himself known to us, the soul does not see Him. If you would see the sun, would you gather together the common means of illumination and seek in that way to view its splendor? No; the wise man knows that the sun must reveal itself, and only by its own blaze can that mighty orb be seen. It is the same with Christ. “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah!” He said to Peter. “For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you.”1 Purify flesh and blood by any educational process you may select, elevate mental faculties to the highest degree of intellectual power, yet none of these can reveal Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Spirit of God must come with power and overshadow the man with His wings, and then in that mystic holy of holies the Lord Jesus must display Himself to the sanctified eye, as He does not to the spiritually blind sons of men. Christ must be His own mirror. The great mass of this dim-sighted world can see nothing of the indescribable glories of Jesus. He stands before them without form or majesty, a root out of a dry ground, rejected by the vain and despised by the proud.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Only where the Spirit has illumined the eye, quickened the heart with divine life, and educated the soul to a heavenly taste, only there is He understood. He is precious to the believer; He is the chief cornerstone, the Rock of your salvation, your all in all; but to others He is “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”2 Happy are those to whom our Lord reveals Himself, for His promise to such is that He will make His home with them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           O Jesus, our Lord, our heart is open; come in, and never leave. Show Yourself to us now! Favor us with a glimpse of Your embracing loveliness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Matthew 16:17
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           2) Romans 9:33
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/11/04/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/11/04/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 04 Nov 2022 14:11:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-4-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Georgia Game Summary - 10/15/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-georgia-game-summary-10-15-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/burt_alex"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            10/15 -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Vandy vs UGA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was homecoming at the University of Georgia. With that being the case you would expect a large crowd. Although the crowd was good, it wasn't as large as last week. This was probably due to the opponent not really being a challenge.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Alex+Burt+University+of+Georiga+SFOI+1000+10-15.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dennis Clark, Scott Phillips and I arrived about 12:30 and set up the amps and cameras. After the tuba section came out and did their mini concert, Scott prayed for us and began preaching. As Scott preached Dennis and I offered Gospel tracts to fans, as they passed by. Dennis followed Scott, preaching on 4 things you need to know about heaven and 3 things you need to know about hell. I finished the day off with a short sermon beginning in Colossians. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/2+Alex+Burt+University+of+Georiga+SFOI+1000+10-15.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a few nay sayers and several believers stopped by to encourage us and thank us. One lady yelled, "Get a life!" As I was preaching with another person telling me I needed to read history. We even had a couple of people donate money to the preachers. Well, to Scott and Dennis. That doesn’t seem to happen to me. :) As one girl walked by she was speaking to her friends or family and said, “It isn’t a football game if those guys aren’t here,” pointing to us. That may have been the most encouraging thing I heard all day because it let us know that they expect to see us there.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/3+Alex+Burt+University+of+Georiga+SFOI+1000+10-15.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was another wonderful day of evangelism, with many people being touched by the Gospel through preaching and by receiving tracts. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Georgia"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Georgia
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Nov 2022 22:53:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-georgia-game-summary-10-15-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Alex+Burt+University+of+Georgia+10-15_640+x+360+Thumbnail+for+SFOI+Blog+image.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Georgia Game Summary - 10/8/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-georgia-game-summary-10-8-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/burt_alex"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Auburn vs UGA
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, October 8, 2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dennis began the preaching, followed by Scott and Rich, with me ending the day. As usual, with this crowd, we had those who were thankful we were there and those who were not so thankful. While one was preaching the others passed out tracts. As I was holding a sign that said “The time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the Gospel ~Jesus,” I was told I was #1 with the middle finger and one guy yelled, “Go Home!” Several others came by intentionally bumping into me or pushing my sign away as they passed by, some even turned and gave me snarky looks after pushing by me while pushing away the sign. Bear in mind, I wasn’t saying anything but was simply holding a sign with a direct quote from Jesus. At one point an older gentleman, I will refer to as “Captain Obvious”, looked at my sign and said, “We’re going to a football game.” I assume he was saying we should not have been there, or I guess he may have thought we were at the wrong venue. :)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/University+of+Georgia+Alex+Burt+SFOI+1000+10-8.JPG" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On the other hand, I had a Christian friend come by and place his arm around me, giving encouragement. Others, that I did not know, came by thanking us for being there. One older veteran asked if he could hold my sign for a minute. I was hesitant because at times people will ask to hold a sign, a Bible, or take a tract only to throw it, tear it up, or something in an attempt to make a statement that they are opposed to the message. After a moment of hesitation, he seemed sincere so I gave him the sign. He simply wanted to take a picture with it. He told me he was a pastor and was glad for all the years preachers had been at the stadium.
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had a wonderful day of evangelism and fellowship. May God use our efforts to His glory!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until All Hear
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Georgia"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Georgia
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Nov 2022 22:45:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-georgia-game-summary-10-8-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Alex+Burt+University+of+Georgia+10-8_640+x+360+Thumbnail+for+SFOI+Blog+image.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 San Diego State University Game Summary - 10/8/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-san-diego-state-university-game-summary-10-8-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/block_dave"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave Block
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/8 - vs Hawaii
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/San-Diego-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/San-Diego-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Nov 2022 22:07:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-san-diego-state-university-game-summary-10-8-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Dave+Block+San+Diego+State+University+10-8_640+x+360+Thumbnail+for+SFOI+Blog+image.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-3-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-3-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-3-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John of Ragusa: The Prometheus of the Reformation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thunder echoed across the world. Lightning charged through the heavens in a brilliant display. Zeus raged.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He had been tricked. Someone had stolen one of his most precious treasures. His fire was gone! The magic-like source of warmth, the ability to roast meat, the light that shines through the darkness, the driving force that would fuel civilization now burned in humanity’s hands.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zeus already knew who the culprit was. This tricky Titan had bested Zeus before. His name was Prometheus. And for his dastardly deed, gods like Zeus would forever hate him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Humanity would claim him as their hero. And why not? Prometheus had gifted the humans one of Zeus’ most powerful treasures. Thunder would continue to boom through the sky; Zeus could crack his lightning all he wanted. Fire belonged to humanity now.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That Greek tale isn’t real, of course. But its song sounds through the lives of real historical men and women who stole away precious treasures for the good of humanity. One such “Prometheus” was a man named John of Ragusa.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Born at the end of the 14th century (c. 1380), about a century before Martin Luther, John grew up inside the old, coastal walls of Ragusa, known as “the Pearl of the Adriatic.” Also known as Ivan Stojkovic among his fellow Croatians, John dedicated his life to the church, entering the Dominican Order. John’s understanding of theology and his talent for languages led his fellow countrymen to consider him a modern-day prophet. His acumen opened doors for him across Europe. By 1420, he held the position of master of theology at the prestigious University of Paris. Six years later, Pope Martin V named him the papal theologian for the General Council of Basel.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           While the life of John of Ragusa may sound ordinary and straightforward, he was quite a complicated character. On one hand, he openly spoke out against the dictatorial nature of the papacy, but on the other hand, he helped put a new pope into power. John looked to reform the church, but he wrote vehemently against Jon Huss and his followers. He was a traditionalist but understood that change needed to take place within the church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While the life of John of Ragusa may sound ordinary and straightforward, he was quite a complicated character.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All of these paradoxes collided in one of John’s final missions. On behalf of the Roman Catholic Church, John was sent as an emissary to Constantinople in 1435. His papal assignment was nothing short of historic. He was tasked with leading the effort to reunite the Eastern Church of Constantinople with the Western Church of Rome. While the talks appeared promising, the hope of the reunification of the Christian Church was short-lived. Just ten years after John and his delegation left the grand city of Constantinople, Islamic invaders shocked the world by capturing the city. Churches collapsed. Christians were killed or enslaved. Biblical manuscripts were burned.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But the Prometheus of the 15th century had a trick up his sleeve. When it came time for John and his fellow ambassadors to leave Constantinople, just a decade before the city would fall, he tucked away a collection of manuscripts among his belongings. To this day, no one knows if the churches of Constantinople gave him the manuscripts or if he took them like Prometheus — without asking. Either way, he had a collection of them when he left.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a collection they were! The texts John of Ragusa held in his hands included the copied classical works of ancient Greek authors, the works of Eastern Christian theologians, and possibly Greek historical writings that had been passed down for centuries. But the greatest piece of John’s literary treasure was the biblical manuscripts. Put together, these copies of the Gospels, the book of Acts, and the Epistles all added up to a nearly complete set of New Testament books all written in the original Greek.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Like Prometheus, John knew the treasure he took was priceless. By the end of his life, John of Ragusa had become John of Lausanne, and he resided in Switzerland. As death drew near, he decided to donate the priceless Greek texts he had gathered from Constantinople to the Dominican convent at Basel. And it was in Basel, 72 years later, that Desiderius Erasmus arrived to use the manuscripts to put together his Greek New Testament.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The second edition of Erasmus’ Greek New Testament was used by none other than Martin Luther to translate the New Testament into German. This year we celebrate the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s efforts, the man the Holy Spirit used to place the powerful Word of the Lord back into the hands of Christians. In many ways, this was the heart of Luther’s Reformation, as he watched God’s Word burn in the hearts of believers who previously never had the opportunity to read God’s law and gospel for themselves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And it all happened through John of Ragusa. Is it too much to call John of Ragusa the Prometheus of the Reformation? Perhaps. Other characters of history could carry that moniker just as easily. Some of Augustine’s works influenced Martin Luther. So did a portion of the efforts of Jon Huss. Many others influenced Martin Luther in profound ways as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But if a key part of the Reformation was placing God’s Word back into the hands of the people in a clear, understandable way, then John of Ragusa can be called a “Prometheus” in his own right. Like the Greek Prometheus, John was certainly a conflicted character. Yet the Lord delights in using these very types of men and women to carry the torch of his Word into this sin-darkened world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The world will still thunder in opposition. Satan will continue to rage against it. But by God’s grace, his Word continues to burn in our hearts today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/john-of-ragusa-prometheus-of-the-reformation" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/john-of-ragusa-prometheus-of-the-reformation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Nov 2022 15:03:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-3-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-2-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-2-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-2-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Testing Times...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of the conundrums of life is the oft irrational hostility towards the Christian faith. Yes, sadly some professing Christians have carried out terrible abuses. But the big picture is that over the centuries God’s people have shown care and compassion for the poor and the needy – exemplifying a facet of the public ministry of Jesus – seeking the welfare of the city (Jeremiah 29:7).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ironically, but perhaps not surprisingly, the media in all its forms chooses to overlook such welfare. I say ‘not surprisingly’ because people in every generation want to cut down anyone who threatens them. The Jewish leadership felt threatened by Jesus of Nazareth. So much so that they endeavored to trap him with gotcha questions which could discredit and destroy him. This was increasingly evident during the days before the Passover – at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Luke chapter 20, verse 25 Jesus had responded to the question, ‘Teacher, … is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor?’ with ‘… Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s’. Confounded by his answer they were silenced (Luke 20:26).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nevertheless, despite this unexpected setback, the aggressive questioning continued. This time the Sadducees, another group of Jewish leaders, pressed him on the subject of the resurrection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Sadducees were conservative aristocrats. The high priests were drawn from this group. Willing to work with the Roman authorities, their privileges were protected.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, they were treated with suspicion by Jewish loyalists and pious Jewish people. In his Antiquities Josephus tells us that the Sadducees only accepted the written Scripture, not oral tradition which the Pharisees accepted (xiii.297; xviii.16). However, the Sadducees denied life after death and therefore, resurrection. This was the question on which they challenged Jesus (Luke chapter 20, verse 28).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Using the law that required the brother of a man who died childless to take his brother’s wife in marriage (levirate law), the Sadducees framed their question. Yet, given that there are only a few recorded occasions of levirate marriage – one being that of Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 4:5, 21) – and that the practice seems to have been dropped by the time of the New Testament, their question was more hypothetical than real.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They posed the situation of seven brothers successively marrying the same woman. None of the marriages produced any children. In turn they asked Jesus whose wife the woman would be in the resurrection (20:29-33). Implying there could be no answer to their question, they used it to argue there could no resurrection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Jesus responded: ‘Those who belong to this age marry and are given in marriage’ (20:34). His implication is clear. Given the successive marriages portrayed by the Sadducees, Jesus affirms the norm and the appropriateness of marriage between a man and woman. Significantly, in saying this he also confirms the creation order of Genesis 2:24.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But he didn’t stop there. He continued by contrasting our present experience and that in the life to come: “Those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage…” (20:35). In a tightly worded sentence he affirmed the reality of life beyond death and also the resurrection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Life in the age to come will be significantly different for all who are considered worthy,’ he says. Not everyone will experience the new age and the resurrection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His words here are consistent with the movement of thought that unfolds in Luke: only those who have been rescued (Luke 19:10) will enjoy life and resurrection in the coming age. Marriage as we know it will no longer apply. It will no longer be needed for ‘they cannot die any more…’ (20:36b).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of the reasons for marriage is the procreation of children in a world where everyone dies. But in a world where death no longer reigns, marriage and the birth of children is unnecessary.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Notice Jesus didn’t say they no longer die but rather, they cannot die. In the coming age we will share something in common with the angels: ‘… they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection’ (20:36c).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So important was the question of resurrection that Jesus used the opportunity to point out that it was implied in the Old Testament. Drawing from the scene when God revealed his name to Moses (Exodus 3:15), Jesus drew attention to God’s description of himself as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (20:37). Jesus then drew out the logic of God’s words, saying: “Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive” (20:38).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were long dead when Moses was alive. The statement that God is the God of these men, can only be true if they are alive, even though they have died. The alternative is to say that God is the God of people who no longer exist, which is nonsense.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke then includes words not found in the other gospels, ‘…for to him (God), all of them are alive” (20:38b). To us they are all dead, but that is not how God sees them. Death cannot break God’s relationship with them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Sadducees were silenced! And at least one other group the scribes, who did not necessarily like the Sadducees, agreed: ‘Teacher, you have spoken well’ (20:39). They were pleased to see the Sadducees silenced: For they (the Sadducees) no longer dared to ask him another question (20:40).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 17th century mathematician and philosopher, Blaise Pascal commented in his Pensées, ‘… The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, the God of Christians, is a God of love and of comfort, a God who fills the soul and heart of those whom He possesses, a God who makes them conscious of their inward wretchedness, and His infinite mercy, who unites Himself to their inmost soul, who fills it with humility and joy, with confidence and love, who renders them incapable of any other end than Himself.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Merciful God, it is by your gift alone that your faithful people offer you true and pleasing service. Grant that we may so faithfully serve you in this life that we do not fail at the end to obtain your heavenly promises; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX-Xt-vBYPc" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed from Keith and Kristyn Getty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/testing-times/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/testing-times/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Nov 2022 14:49:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-2-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Bakersfield College Renegade Game Summary - 10/22/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-bakersfield-college-renegade-game-summary-10-22-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/collins_gerry"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry Collins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Last Saturday I was at the stadium before the football game to pass out tracts and share the gospel with fans entering the stadium. This time was the busiest I have ever seen at one of their home games. Turns out this was Homecoming this time and probably double the fans this time which I wasn’t expecting. Was able to have one on one conversation several times. One lady seemed very interested and very concerned about what happens after you die. She kept the tract and promised to read it. Another was said I get one of these (gospel tracts) every game, “from you”. Was also very encouraged that another Christian was so happy I was there which always like to see. Passed out 200 tracts also. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All for Christ,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry Collins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/BakersfieldCollegeRenegade"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/BakersfieldCollegeRenegade
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Nov 2022 02:47:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-bakersfield-college-renegade-game-summary-10-22-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/3+Bakersfield+COllege+Renegade+Gerry+Collins+SFOI1000+10-22.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Alabama Game Summary - 10/8/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-alabama-game-summary-10-8-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/sullivan_larry"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Larry Sullivan
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/8 - Alabama vs Texas A&amp;amp;M Video
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Alabama"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Alabama
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Nov 2022 21:37:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-alabama-game-summary-10-8-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Larry+Sullivan+University+of+Alabama+10-8+SFOI+1000.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Alabama at Birmingham Game Summary - 10/15/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-alabama-at-birmingham-game-summary-10-15-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/tubbs_joshua"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joshua Tubbs
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            10/15
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Great day sharing the gospel at the UAB game, downtown Birmingham. I was Joined by Walter Brough, Chase Roberson, Mike Rogers and John Parsons. Mike broke the sound barrier with his first time preaching in the open air. It was a blessed time to share the good news of Jesus Christ!'
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/University-of-Alabama-at-Birmingham"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/University-of-Alabama-at-Birmingham
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Nov 2022 21:33:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-alabama-at-birmingham-game-summary-10-15-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joshua+Tubbs+University+of+Alabama+at+Birnmingham+SFOI+1000+10-15.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 New Orleans Saints Game Summary - 10/9/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-new-orleans-saints-game-summary-10-9-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/robert_david" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Robert
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            10/9 -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jimmy and David in New Orleans
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the New Orleans Saints Evangelism Outreach on Sunday, Jimmy and I gave out over 50 bibles and approximately 100 gospel tracts. David preached on deception in the church and the non-biblical beliefs of those who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ. Information came from the State of Theology 2022 survey conducted by Lifeway Research.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch Video Below:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/New-Orleans-Saints"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/New-Orleans-Saints
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Nov 2022 21:25:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-new-orleans-saints-game-summary-10-9-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Robert+New+Orleans+Saints+10-9+SFOI+1000.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 New Orleans Saints Game Summary - 9/18/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-new-orleans-saints-game-summary-9-18-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/robert_david" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Robert
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Robert+New+Orleans+Saints+SFOI+1000+9-18.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9/18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Preaching from book of Genesis - God is a God of love, peace, and hope!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sept. 18, Saints vs. Buccaneers, open air preaching and bible distribution
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today I preached from Genesis 1:27, 5:2, 6:19, Matthew 19:4, Roman's 1, Eph 2:8,9, Exodus 20, and many other Scriptures. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many, many thank you's and fist bumps, a hug, and only a few F. U.'s. But these are the unrighteous that we are trying to reach, just like we were.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Distributed about a dozen bibles and had two conversations on the street.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus Christ was proclaimed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch Video Below:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/New-Orleans-Saints"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/New-Orleans-Saints
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Nov 2022 21:21:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-new-orleans-saints-game-summary-9-18-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Robert+New+Orleans+Saints+SFOI+1000+9-18.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Atlanta Falcons Game Summary - 10/16/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-atlanta-falcons-game-summary-10-16-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/long_stirling"&gt;&#xD;
      
           S
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/long_stirling"&gt;&#xD;
      
           tirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/16 - Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Another Full House at the Falcons vs 49ER Game today. Where the Gospel of Repentance and Salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ was proclaimed by Four SFOI Evangelist. “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Atlanta-Falcons"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/Atlanta-Falcons
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Nov 2022 21:12:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-atlanta-falcons-game-summary-10-16-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/2-Stirling-Long-Atlanta-Falcons-SFOI-1000-10-16.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Atlanta Falcons Game Summary - 10/2/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-atlanta-falcons-game-summary-10-2-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/long_stirling"&gt;&#xD;
      
           S
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/long_stirling"&gt;&#xD;
      
           tirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/2 - Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - I was joined by Alex Burt and Doug Renz. We had a wonderful time. Falcons are going through a winning streak right now. Whenever they do that they draw the crowds. It makes for great open air preaching. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Atlanta-Falcons"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/Atlanta-Falcons
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Nov 2022 21:08:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-atlanta-falcons-game-summary-10-2-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long+Atlanta+Falcons+10-2+SFOI+1000.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Cincinnati Game Summary - 10/8/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-cincinnati-game-summary-10-8-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/doerman_david"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave Doerman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            10-8-22 -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Cincinnati football game Video
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch it below:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelize Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We proclaim the gospel at sporting events around Cincinnati. And we do one-to-one witnessing at the University of Cincinnati. Check our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://evangelizecincinnati.com/evangelism-outreach-schedule/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelism Outreach Schedule 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           and join us as we Evangelize Cincinnati.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Cincinnati"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Nov 2022 21:04:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-cincinnati-game-summary-10-8-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/University+of+Cincinnati+David+Doerman+10-8.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Indianapolis Colts Football Game Summary - 10/16/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-indianapolis-colts-football-game-summary-10-16-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/ninde_brian?_gl=1*1klgboa*_ga*MTcwMTc5OTAzNy4xNjM4OTEyMTUw*_ga_LM1Y84QLBE*MTY2MTkxMjQ1MS43MzUuMS4xNjYxOTEyNDU2LjAuMC4w"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brian Ninde
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brian+Ninde+Indianapolis+Colts+SFOI+1000+10-16.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            10/16
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Here is the short highlight video &amp;amp; team pic. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Indianapolis-Colts"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Indianapolis-Colts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Nov 2022 20:56:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-indianapolis-colts-football-game-summary-10-16-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brian+Ninde+Indianapolis+Colts+SFOI+1000+10-16.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Indianapolis Colts Football Game Summary - 10/2/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-indianapolis-colts-football-game-summary-10-2-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/ninde_brian?_gl=1*1klgboa*_ga*MTcwMTc5OTAzNy4xNjM4OTEyMTUw*_ga_LM1Y84QLBE*MTY2MTkxMjQ1MS43MzUuMS4xNjYxOTEyNDU2LjAuMC4w"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brian Ninde
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            10/2
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Brian &amp;amp; Jane Ninde, Heath Shaner, Dan Greskamp, and Rob &amp;amp; Debbie Curffman (first timers from our church family) joined us to share the gospel with Colts fans today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Indianapolis-Colts"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Indianapolis-Colts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Nov 2022 20:53:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-indianapolis-colts-football-game-summary-10-2-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/5+Brian+Ninde+Indianapolis+Colts+10-2+SFOI+1000.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Indianapolis Colts Football Game Summary - 9/25/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-indianapolis-colts-football-game-summary-9-25-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/ninde_brian?_gl=1*1klgboa*_ga*MTcwMTc5OTAzNy4xNjM4OTEyMTUw*_ga_LM1Y84QLBE*MTY2MTkxMjQ1MS43MzUuMS4xNjYxOTEyNDU2LjAuMC4w"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brian Ninde
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brian+Ninde+Indianapolis+Colts+SFOI+1000+9-25.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9-25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - Jane, Dan, Brayden, Braxton joined me in a blessed day witnessing &amp;amp; proclaiming the Gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Indianapolis-Colts"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Indianapolis-Colts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Nov 2022 20:48:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-indianapolis-colts-football-game-summary-9-25-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brian+Ninde+Indianapolis+Colts+SFOI+1000+9-25.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 11-1-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-1-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 11-1-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The History of the Reformation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “A cesspool of heresies.” This was the judgment rendered by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V on May 26, 1521, shortly after Luther took a stand at the Diet of Worms.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Earlier, in the bull Exsurge Domine, Pope Leo X described Luther as a wild boar loose in the vineyard of Christ and as a stiff-necked, notorious, damned heretic. On May 4, 1521, Luther was “kidnapped” by friends and whisked off to Wartburg castle, where he was kept secretly hidden, disguised as a knight. There Luther immediately undertook the task of translating the Bible into the vernacular.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Frequently the Reformation is described as a movement that revolved around two pivotal issues. The socalled “material” cause was the debate over sola fide (“justification by faith alone”). The “formal” cause was the issue of sola Scriptura, that the Bible and the Bible alone has the authority to bind the conscience of the believer. Church tradition was regarded with respect by the Reformers but not as a normative source of revelation. The “protest” of Protestantism went far beyond the issue of justification by faith alone, challenging many dogmas that emerged in Rome, especially during the Middle Ages.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In a short time, the Reformation swept through Germany but did not stop there. Aided by the translation of the Bible in other nations, the reform spread to the Huguenots in France, to Scotland, England, Switzerland, Hungary, and Holland. Ulrich Zwingli led the Reformation movement in Switzerland, John Knox in Scotland, and John Calvin among the French Protestants.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In 1534 Calvin delivered a speech calling the church to return to the pure Gospel of the New Testament. His speech was burned, and Calvin fled Paris to Geneva. Disguised as a vinedresser, he escaped the city in a basket. During the next year, some two dozen Protestants were burned alive in France. This provoked Calvin to write his famous Institutes of the Christian Religion, which was addressed to the King of France. His thought contained in the Institutes developed into the dominant theology for the international expansion of the Reformation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first edition of the Institutes was completed in 1536, the same year Calvin was persuaded by Farel to come to Switzerland to build Geneva into a model city of Reformation. In 1538 Farel and Calvin were forced to leave Geneva. He lived and ministered in Strasbourg for three years until he was recalled to Geneva in 1541.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Calvin’s theology stressed the sovereignty of God in all of life. His chief passion was the reform of worship to a level of purity that would give no hint to or support of the human penchant for idolatry. Geneva attracted leaders from all over Europe who came there to observe the model and be instructed by Calvin himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is only by a serious and earnest recovery of biblical truth that we will be able to avoid falling into a new cesspool of heresy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           During this period turbulence spread to England when King Henry VIII resisted the authority of Rome. In 1534 Henry became the Supreme Head of the Anglican Church. He undertook the persecution of evangelicals, which escalated under “Bloody Mary,” causing many to flee to Geneva for refuge.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The persecutions were suspended under “Good Queen Bess,” Elizabeth I, whose stance provoked a papal bull against her in 1570. The Reformation spread rapidly to Scotland, largely under the leadership of John Knox, who served nineteen months as a galley slave before he went to England and then to Geneva. In 1560 the Scottish Parliament rejected papal authority. In 1561 the Scottish Reformed “Kirk” was reorganized.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One interesting footnote to this is that the first man John Knox ordained into the ministry of the church was an obscure clergyman by the name of Robert Charles Sproul, of whom I am a direct descendant.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the early seventeenth century, the Reformation spread to the new world with the arrival of the Pilgrims and colonies of Puritans who brought Reformed theology and the Geneva Bible with them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reformation theology dominated Protestant evangelicalism for decades but became diluted later under influences of Pietism and Finneyism.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By the end of the twentieth century, Reformation theology declined dramatically in the Western world, being assaulted by nineteenth century liberal theology on the one hand, and the influence of Arminian theology on the other. This was especially true in America.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the present scene of American evangelicalism, Reformation theology is a minority report. The dominant strands of theology that reign in current evangelical circles are dispensationalism and neo-Pentecostal charismatic thought. The phenomenal spread and growth of dispensational theology in America is a fascinating chapter in church history. Having its roots in British Plymouth Brethren suppositions, dispensationalism spread rapidly in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Fueled by the Bible School movement, prophecy conferences, and the preaching of men like D.L. Moody, dispensationalism gathered enormous popular support.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The American version of dispensationalism got a great boost by the publication of the Scofield Reference Bible. The Scofield Bible, with its study notes, served as a popular tool for the spread of dispensational theology. This theology was forged by men who had their roots predominately in Reformation thought. The themes of classical Reformed theology were modified significantly by this movement.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The New Geneva Study Bible (now the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://reformationstudybible.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reformation Study Bible
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) is the first distinctively Reformed study Bible in English to appear since the Geneva Bible in the sixteenth century. It seeks to recover the theology of the Reformation and provide a guide for the laity to understand its historically, doctrinally, and biblically rich system. Its importance to American Christianity is enormous. It is my hope that it will help guide English-speaking evangelicals back to their Reformation roots. More importantly, it is designed to call evangelicals back to the Bible itself and to their historic confessions of biblical theology.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Beyond the borders of America, the New Geneva Study Bible (now the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://reformationstudybible.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reformation Study Bible
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) may be used to expand the light of the Reformation to lands where the original Reformation never reached, especially to Russia and Eastern Europe.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In our day we have seen a revival of interest in the Bible and a renewed commitment to the authority and trustworthiness of Scripture. But the Reformation was more than a doctrine about the Bible. It was sparked by a deep and serious study of the Bible. It is not enough to extol the virtue of Scripture—we must hear the teaching of Scripture afresh. It is only by a serious and earnest recovery of biblical truth that we will be able to avoid falling into a new cesspool of heresy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/the-history-of-the-reformation" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/the-history-of-the-reformation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Nov 2022 14:37:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-11-1-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-31-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-31-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-31-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In My Fallen State
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was I who knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Hosea%2013:5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Hosea 13:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yes, Lord, You did indeed know me in my fallen state, and You did even then choose me for Yourself. When I was loathsome and self-abhorred, You received me as Your child, and You satisfied my longings. Blessed forever be Your name for this free, rich, abounding mercy. Since then, my inward experience has often been a wilderness; but You have kept me still as Your beloved and poured streams of love and grace into me to gladden me and make me fruitful. When my outward circumstances have been at the worst, and I have wandered in a land of drought, Your sweet presence has comforted me. Men have ignored me, and I have been scorned; but You have known my soul in adversities, for no affliction dims the luster of Your love. Most gracious Lord, I magnify You for all Your faithfulness to me in trying circumstances, and I deplore the fact that I have at times forgotten You and been proud of heart when I have owed everything to Your gentleness and love. Have mercy upon Your servant in this matter!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My soul, if Jesus acknowledged you in your lowly condition, be sure that you own both Himself and His cause now that you are in prosperity. Do not be puffed up by worldly successes, and do not be ashamed of the truth or of the poor church with which you have been associated. Follow Jesus into the wilderness: Bear the cross with Him when the persecution heats up. He owned you, O my soul, in your poverty and shame—never be so treacherous as to be ashamed of Him. Let me know more shame at the thought of being ashamed of my best Beloved! Jesus, my soul cleaves to You.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I'll turn to Thee in days of light,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           As well as nights of care,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thou brightest amid all that's bright!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thou fairest of the fair!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 31 Oct 2022 16:20:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-31-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-28-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-28-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-28-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Crowned Eternally with Majesty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His head is the finest gold; his locks are wavy, black as a raven.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Song%20of%20Songs%205:11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Song of Songs 5:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Comparisons all fail to set forth the Lord Jesus, but the spouse uses the best she can find. By the head of Jesus we may understand His deity, “for the head of Christ is God”;1 and then the mold of purest gold is the best conceivable metaphor, but all too poor to describe one so precious, so pure, so dear, so glorious. Jesus is not a grain of gold, but a vast globe of it, a priceless mass of treasure such as earth and heaven cannot excel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The creatures are mere iron and clay—they will all perish like wood, hay, and stubble; but the ever-living Head of the creation of God will shine on forever and ever. In Him is no mixture, nor smallest taint of alloy. He is forever infinitely holy and altogether divine. The wavy locks depict His manly vigor. There is nothing effeminate in our Lord. He is the manliest of men—bold as a lion, strong as an ox, swift as an eagle. Every conceivable and inconceivable beauty is to be found in Him, though He once was despised and rejected of men.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His head the finest gold;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           With secret sweet perfume,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           His curled locks hang all as black
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           As any raven's plume.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The glory of His head is not shorn away. He is eternally crowned with peerless majesty. The black hair indicates youthful freshness, for Jesus has the dew of His youth upon Him. Others grow weak with age, but He is forever a Priest like Melchizedek; others come and go, but He remains as God upon His throne, world without end. We will behold Him tonight and adore Him. Angels are gazing on Him—His redeemed must not turn their eyes away from Him. Where else is there such a Beloved? Oh, for an hour's fellowship with Him! Be gone, you intruding anxieties! Jesus draws me, and I run after Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) 1 Corinthians 11:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/28/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/28/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 2022 17:20:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-28-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Texas Game Summary - 10/15/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-texas-game-summary-10-15-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/nieves_francisco"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francisco Nieves
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Texas Outreach Ministry Report
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Texas vs. Iowa State)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/15/2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today was a great day of ministry at Darrell K Royal Stadium. Tom McLaughlin and I arrived at our usual ministry spot at around 8am. We quickly set up and began open-air preaching and handing out gospel tracts and booklets. A little bit later, we were joined by our good friend David Santisteban and his two sons, Luis and Solomon. David gifted us some pretty cool football jerseys so that we could look professional while we were preaching. The front of the jersey said “the way” and the back of the jersey had our nicknames on it. We looked very professional indeed!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were greatly encouraged by several things today. First, we kept running into people who told us that they had already received gospel tracts from us in weeks prior. I pray that as people see our consistency at the stadium, they will begin to pay more attention to our message. Secondly, we saw our friend Darryl once again and he told us that he had just celebrated his 19th wedding anniversary and that he was going to fight for his marriage. If you have read the previous ministry reports you might remember that we had prayed for Darryl and his marriage for several weeks now so we praise God for this good news!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thirdly, as we were leaving, we ran into another Christian who had just moved to Austin from Las Vegas and was standing at a different corner than us handing out little gospel of John booklets. We talked to him for a while, encouraged him and prayed for him before leaving. We told him to meet us at the stadium for the next home game. Please pray for this faithful brother! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sadly, there are only two more home games left for the regular season. One on November 12th, and another on November 25th. Interestingly, both of these games are against “Christian” universities, Texas Christian University and Baylor University. Please be in prayer for these last two outreaches.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Texas"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Texas
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 2022 03:42:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-texas-game-summary-10-15-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Francisco+Nieves+University+of+Texas+SFOI+1000+10-15.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Texas Game Summary - 10/8/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-texas-game-summary-10-8-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/nieves_francisco"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francisco Nieves
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Texas Outreach Ministry Report 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Texas vs. Oklahoma)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By Francisco Nieves
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/08/2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           I left my house at 430am to pick up Tom McLaughlin and then drive the three hours to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas where the Texas Longhorns were taking on the Oklahoma Sooners (side note: the Longhorns upset the Sooner 49-0!). 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After a pit stop at Buc Ee's, and a pretty intense search for parking, we arrived just outside of the state fairgrounds, where the Cotton bowl is located, and were met by our good friends Joe Hinson and Will Dieterich. They had set up at a pretty strategic location near one of the main entrances. They were already open-air preaching and handing out gospel tracts by the time we got there. They had a constant captive audience as people waited in line to go inside. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At this point, we decided to divide and conquer, and Tom and I set up about a block and a half away at another main intersection. This too turned out to be a pretty strategic location. In God’s providence this was where the greyhound buses were dropping off droves of Longhorns and Sooner fans. As a result, we had a constant stream of foot traffic going through our location. We praise God for the thousands of students and fans who heard the gospel during this outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One pretty cool thing that happened was that when I got up to preach, a man named Brian stood right in front of me to listen. He seemed to be under the influence of something, but he was still able to have a conversation. I told him that I was about to preach from Psalm 5 and asked him if he would like a Bible to follow along. To my surprise, he said yes, and so I gave him a Bible and helped him find Psalm 5. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I preached the message and when I gave a gospel presentation, I looked directly at Brian. As I was proclaiming the gospel to him, I saw tears flowing from his eyes. I took my microphone off and got down from the step ladder and went over to him and had a conversation. I asked him if I could pray for him and he agreed, so during my prayer I preached the gospel to him once again and left him with the Bible and a gospel tract. Please pray for Brian!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another cool thing that happened, was that when I was up to preach again, a butterfly landed on my shoulder and was sitting there for the entire time that I was preaching. People were looking over to see the man on the ladder with the butterfly on his shoulder and I pray that they also got a chance to listen to the message.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We packed it up at around 11am, right when the game started. But before we drove back home, we all went to cracker barrel for some legendary pancakes (as Will likes to call them) and some great fellowship. It was a great time of ministry. Please continue to pray for fruit from this outing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Texas"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Texas
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 2022 03:33:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-texas-game-summary-10-8-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/5+Francisco+Nieves+University+of+Texas+SFOI+1000+10-8.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Texas Game Summary - 10/1/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-texas-game-summary-10-1-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/nieves_francisco"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francisco Nieves
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Texas Outreach Ministry Report (Texas vs. West Virginia)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By Francisco Nieves
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/01/2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Before we had even set up, we heard a voice behind us that said, “You guys are back?”. When we turned around, it was our friend Derrick, who we had met and prayed for during the first game of the season. Derrick was having difficulty in his marriage and so we had the privilege of praying for him on that occasion and he asked us for prayer once again. It was such an encouragement to run into Derrick and to pray for him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We arrived at Darrell K Royal Stadium three hours before Texas faced off against West Virginia. Tom McLaughlin, Thomas Foster, and Kurt Simms joined me at the stadium. During these three hours, we took turns open-air preaching. It was Kurt’s first time open air preaching in a very long time and he did an amazing job. We faithfully proclaimed the gospel for three hours straight.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When we were not open-air preaching, we were handing out gospel tracts and having gospel conversations. We were able to go through an entire box of the gospel booklets titled “Solving the God puzzle”. Please pray for all the people who received one of these little booklets.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As I was preaching the second time, a young man named Giovanni approached me to ask what I was doing. This young man was obviously under the influence of drugs, and so I handed the mic over to Thomas and step aside to talk to him. I challenged him on his life choices and encouraged him to repent of his sinful lifestyle and turn to Christ. Unfortunately, he was not in the right state of mind to respond to the proclamation of the gospel, so I left him with a bible and some literature. Please pray for Giovanni. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Texas"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Texas
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 2022 03:26:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-texas-game-summary-10-1-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Francisco+Nieves+University+of+Texas+SFOI+1000+10-1+do+the+work+of+an+evangelist.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Colorado State University Game Summary - 10/15/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-colorado-state-university-game-summary-10-15-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/hegarty_pat"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pat Hegarty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            10/15
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - This week was homecoming at Colorado State University. The weather was very nice and the crowds were plentiful. Larry Helmuth and I were preaching at the north gate of the stadium from about 2:15 to the 5:00 PM kickoff. I preached from Psalm 107, Matthew 8, and John Chapter 4. Larry also preached from several passages concerning the kingdom of God and our need to enter into His kingdom by faith alone in Christ alone. We were blessed to be out in our community striving to represent Christ and to preach His gospel well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/Colorado-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/Colorado-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 2022 03:12:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-colorado-state-university-game-summary-10-15-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Pat+Hegarty+Larry+Helmuth+Colorado+State+University+10-15+SFOI+1000.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Georgia Tech Game Summary - 10/8/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-georgia-tech-game-summary-10-8-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/renz_douglas"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doug Renz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            10/8
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Saturday 10/8/2022 was a beautiful day to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in Atlanta, Ga at the Bobby Dodd Stadium for the Georgia Tech football game. I brought this time my crosswalk cross that says “Stop and Talk” hoping more students would have gospel conversations with us as students leave the dining hall and head towards the campus and stadium. We noticed the crowds were smaller than last game. Stirling Long and I preached and as a result we eventually had students stop to talk and ask questions which was great. Carol spoke to an Asian student who had questions about the Old Testament, and she talked with her for a while. Stirling and Carol spoke with Sam who was a catholic and they spoke for at least 10-15 minutes, as the Lord delivered Stirling out of Catholicism. I spoke with Kyro (pronounced Kee-ro) who is an Egyptian Coptic Christian who leads Bible studies at the college. He stopped because a few days ago there were other angry street preachers at the college preaching hate and condemning everybody to hell and no grace or gospel message. He was happy to see a difference in our gospel message to reach students. We exchanged emails and I plan to stay in touch with him as there is a professor at Georgia Tech who attends my church. I love how the Lord makes connections with the body of Christ. I spoke also with a student who stopped and asked me if Jesus was God and the son of man, and I answered him “yes” and led into about who Jesus was both God and Man and he came to die for our sins and forgive us. I presented the whole gospel with him, and his name is Nabeel which I assume is Muslim, and I hope to see him again. I offered him a Bible, but he declined. Please pray for the students we spoke to on Saturday that we spoke to and handed out gospel tracts and heard the gospel preaching that they would come to know the Lord and His love for them at the cross in the gospel. Below is a photo of myself and Kyro.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Doug FB Live to watch: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/100049709531297/videos/1446952165816085/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/100049709531297/videos/1446952165816085/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/3+Doug+Renz+Georgia+Tech+10-8+SFOI+1000.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Doug+Renz+Stirling+Long+Georgia+Tech+10-8+SFOI+1000.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ABOVE - Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - Inquisitive students stop and talk looking for answers outside of their own personal interpretations of faith. Many cannot believe that if you reject Jesus He will reject you. “But the one who denies and rejects Me before men, that one I will also deny and reject before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew‬ ‭10:33‬ ‭AMP‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/2+Doug+Renz+Stirling+Long+Georgia+Tech+10-8+SFOI+1000.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ABOVE - Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            A beautiful fall day on North Ave, in front of Bobby Dodd’s Georgia Tech Football Stadium. Preaching and talking to students and the many diverse cultures at Georgia Tech. Many great dialogues. “And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,” Acts‬ ‭17:26‬ ‭ESV‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Georgia-Tech"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Georgia-Tech
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 2022 03:02:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-georgia-tech-game-summary-10-8-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Doug+Renz+Stirling+Long+Georgia+Tech+10-8+SFOI+1000.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-27-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-27-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-27-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Otherworldly Vision
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The festival of All Saints is for the commemoration of the saints who have gone before us and have passed on to their eternal rest. Since it practically coincides with Reformation Day, it’s almost impossible to observe All Saints without recalling that the Reformers had some important things to say about the saints. We don’t have any ecclesiastical machinery for “canonizing” saints or for setting one off from another. We do not pray to or through the saints, nor are they objects of worship or even veneration.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But nevertheless, we can and we should remember them. This is a day for remembering together, commemorating the work of apostles, martyrs, and all the saints. Some such saints are named; but the vast majority are unnamed. We remember those who by their blood, sweat, and tears have left their mark on the church, the Body of Christ, to which we belong. And we cannot, I think, commemorate this day without a certain sense of awe and respect. Remember that when you enter the church you are ushered into the presence of this great host. You are inheriting their legacy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But even though All Saints is a day for remembering the dead, it is not a day of mourning. It is a day of celebration! In the epistle lesson for today, John, the seer, presents us with a vision in which all the saints, all the redeemed, all those who are sealed are present (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rev.%207%3A1%E2%80%9317/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. 7:1–17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Everyone who belongs is there. That certainly is the meaning of all the statistics and the number 144,000. Not, as some would have it, that the number is limited by arbitrary decree, but that everyone is there who ought to be there, 12,000 from all the tribes of Israel and Judah, and a great multitude from every nation of the earth, a multitude so great that no one can count it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And the angels hold back the winds and the sea so that no one will be harmed. And what are the saints doing? They are clothed in white robes, waving palm branches and shouting: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb!” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rev.%207%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. 7:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And everyone else, the angels, the elders, and the four living creatures cannot resist their contagious joy, so they all join in the chorus: “Amen! Blessing and Glory and Wisdom and Thanksgiving and Honor and Power and Might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen!” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rev.%207%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. 7:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/the-otherworldly-vision" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/the-otherworldly-vision
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 2022 17:10:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-27-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-26-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-26-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-26-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Curiosity...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn lived at the time when Soviet communism sought to harness human engineering to create a new society. The goal was to develop a new kind of human being. Greedy, competitive and alienated individualists were to be transformed into co-operative and generous altruists. Capitalist men and women were to be changed into a socialist society.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even before the fall of the USSR, Solzhenitsyn concluded the experiment had failed. It suggests that dreams of a better world and a better life based on human invention and force will founder. But let me suggest that we don’t have to despair. A ray of light shines in the darkness of our world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come with me to an unexpected encounter that changed a wealthy money-grabber into a benevolent philanthropist. The man’s life was changed more rapidly and more radically than even Karl Marx would have believed possible. We read about it in Luke chapter 19, verses 1 through 10.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zacchaeus was very rich, yet his wealth didn’t earn him respect. In fact, the reverse was his experience: he was a social outcast. He was a chief tax collector.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jewish tax collectors were regarded as traitors because the money they collected went to the treasury in Rome. And, if that wasn’t bad enough, it was reckoned that 99% were crooked.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But there seems to have been something appealing about Zacchaeus. Short in stature, there was a touch of humorous eccentricity about him. And this was evident when Jesus of Nazareth came to town.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As do celebrities today, Jesus drew huge crowds wherever he went. Zacchaeus wanted to see him but, pushed back by the crowd, he discovered he couldn’t. Thinking outside the box, he climbed a tree.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We easily miss the incongruity of the scene. Here was Zacchaeus, an eminent, affluent public servant, shinning up a tree to get a look at the man who, himself, was considered an outsider by the elite. Zacchaeus risked being ridiculed by the crowd.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What prompted Zacchaeus? Curiosity? He certainly wanted to see the celebrated miracle-working teacher from the north. People have always been attracted to celebrities and heroes, and encounters with Jesus often begin like that — curiosity about a celebrity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But consider what happened: When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry up and come down; for I must stay at your house today’ (Luke 19:5).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We can only imagine how startled Zacchaeus must have felt. It was a critical moment. He didn’t expect this. How would he react? He hurried and came down and received him joyfully (19:6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Perhaps it was more than curiosity that prompted Zacchaeus to climb the tree that day. He may have felt growing regret over his lifestyle.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Over the years in ministry, I’ve encountered people like this. They find life doesn’t turn out as expected — a broken marriage; difficult children; money ill-spent; a lost reputation. They feel trapped. But they know they can’t turn the clock back.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zacchaeus may have felt this sense of despair. But maybe he’d heard how Jesus had changed other people’s lives – Matthew, another tax-collector, for example. Whatever prompted him, Zacchaeus jumped out of the tree and without a moment’s hesitation took Jesus in for lunch.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a life-changing moment, for clearly Jesus impressed Zacchaeus. So much so that during the meal Zacchaeus stood up and said, ‘Behold Lord, the half of my goods, I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold’ (Luke 19:8).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zacchaeus’ promises are specific and immediate. There’s no fabrication. We can almost hear him turning the key in the lock of his safe. Meeting Jesus led this self-centered wealthy, but probably lonely man to a radical change within. He turned away from greed and revealed compassion for the poor and powerless. He also demonstrated a sense of justice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What caused the change? Zacchaeus suddenly understood who Jesus really was: he called him ‘Lord’. This was more than a courtesy title. He knew he was in the presence of greatness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his work Zacchaeus would have experienced the deceitfulness of human nature in paying their taxes, and the dishonesty of tax-collectors in collecting taxes. He now knew he was in the presence of someone who could see right through deception and fraud. Jesus was the one man with whom you had to be completely honest.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There’s a transparency and humility about Zacchaeus’ reaction. His awakened conscience had led to his heartfelt repentance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Today salvation has come to this house…’ Jesus said (Luke 19:9). It wasn’t good works or making amends for past wrongs; it wasn’t his generosity to the poor, that saved Zacchaeus. Rather it was his personal encounter with Jesus and his genuine repentance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a significant moment: a man’s life was transformed. It’s the kind of transformation that politicians try to achieve through economic and other strategies. Revolutionaries use a gun. Jesus did it by inviting himself to lunch.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may be thinking this kind of change can’t really take place in our world today. But consider Jesus’ further words: ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham’ (19:9b). Because of his repentance and the evidence of that repentance, Zacchaeus, formerly an ‘outsider’ was now an ‘insider’ in his relationship with God and his people – he could now be called a true son of Abraham.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Significantly Jesus goes to the heart of the reason for his coming: ‘For the Son of man came to seek out and to save the lost’ (19:10).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let’s think about this. From God’s perspective every one of us is lost. Created to know and love God and enjoy him forever, we have all succumbed to self-worship: we fail to love him first. However, God didn’t reduce us to the particles and dust from which he had formed us. Rather, he spoke to one man, Abraham, and made three promises: ‘I will give you a land’; ‘I will make your name great’; and ‘I will bless all the nations through you’ (Genesis 12:2-3).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The history of Abraham’s family and their dealing with God is not a pretty one, but God persisted. He had a plan, and at the right time came amongst us in person. It was this God/man whom Zacchaeus encountered. Jesus came into the world to awaken us and rescue us, by laying down his own life so that we might enjoy life in all its fullness now and forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When we know Jesus, we will want to fall on our knees in repentance and love. In turn we will surely also want to find ways to arouse the curiosity of others – perhaps inviting them to coffee – so that we can introduce them to him too.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty and eternal God, grant that we may grow in faith, hope, and love; especially make us love what you command so that we may obtain what you have promised; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Note: Today’s ‘Word’ is adapted from my book in the ‘Reading the Bible Today’ series, Luke: An Unexpected God, 2nd Edition, Aquila: 2018.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgEn6ftrT-4" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Magnificent, Marvelous, Matchless Love from Keith and Kristyn Getty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/curiosity/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/curiosity/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Oct 2022 14:08:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-26-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Auburn University Game Summary - 10/1/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-auburn-university-game-summary-10-1-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/cohen_ben"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ben
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            * &amp;amp;
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/day_david"&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Day
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            10/1 -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ben:  We had a great outreach! It was very interesting as the crowds were not what I expected at the LSU game. For this game, it was myself, Suok, Hank and Palmer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day+and+Ben+SFOI+1000+Football+Event+FB+%28Facebook+Event+Cover%29.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Auburn-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Auburn-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Oct 2022 02:58:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-auburn-university-game-summary-10-1-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day+and+Ben+SFOI+1000+Football+Event+FB+%28Facebook+Event+Cover%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Auburn University Game Summary - 9/24/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-auburn-university-game-summary-9-24-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/cohen_ben"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ben
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            * &amp;amp;
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/day_david"&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Day
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            9/24 -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ben:  We had a great outreach!  Suok, myself and a new family (mother, sister and brother) that came for the first time. They had never done Evangelism and got to experience the open air preaching of God's Word for the first time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day+and+Ben+SFOI+1000+Football+Event+FB+%28Facebook+Event+Cover%29.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Auburn-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Auburn-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Oct 2022 02:57:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-auburn-university-game-summary-9-24-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day+and+Ben+SFOI+1000+Football+Event+FB+%28Facebook+Event+Cover%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Tennessee Football Game Summary - 10/15/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-tennessee-football-game-summary-10-15-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/adams_bill"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            10/15 -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists participating: Wendell, Wendy and Wava Shrock, Jeff Lansdowne, Bill Adams.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise the Lord for another fruitful day at UT. UT hosted Alabama and with both teams undefeated and in the top 10 they fans were at Neyland Stadium very early making it possible for them to hear the Gospel often and receive tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Beginning at 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM the Gospel was preached from our usual location; a few people talked to us personally; lots of fans responded positively as the passed and some mocked. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Overall it was another wonderful and fruitful day of Gospel preaching, sowing and watering and pray for an increase from God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Tennessee"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Tennessee
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Oct 2022 02:43:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-tennessee-football-game-summary-10-15-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/8+Bill+Adams+University+of+Tennessee+SFOI+1000+10-15+do+the+work+of+an+evangelist.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-25-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-25-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-25-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remembering the Reformation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Does the Protestant Reformation still matter? If so, why? These are important questions, especially in our day and age, because for many living today in the twenty-first century, what is important is not the past, but the future. We live at an unusual time in history. In terms of technology, the world has changed faster in the last one hundred years than it did in the previous two thousand years combined. This has affected us in many ways. Our generation no longer looks to the wisdom of the past for guidance; instead, we look for the next new invention. History is “yesterday’s news.” What matters is tomorrow.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sadly, the same way of thinking has influenced Christians. We look at church history with a jaundiced eye, finding it boring or irrelevant, but we must understand that this is an unwise approach. God has always called his people to remember his gracious works in the past. Israel was called to remember the exodus. Christians are called to remember the death of Christ. The same principle holds true with the lessons of church history. It has been rightly said that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The church simply cannot afford to forget the lessons of the Reformation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are hundreds of books on the Reformation, but if one coming to the subject for the first time were looking for the best place to start, he would be hard pressed to find a better introduction than Stephen J. Nichols’ The Reformation (Crossway, 2007). For those who find history difficult, Nichols’ style of writing is a breath of fresh air. He does not fill page after page with dry lists of names and dates. Instead, his gift is the ability to draw readers into the lives of the people about whom he writes, allowing us to see these great historical figures, warts and all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nichols’ book features eight short chapters, each containing numerous illustrations. As is the case in many Reformation histories, the chapter topics of Nichols’ book are devoted to the various “branches” of the Reformation. Thus, there are chapters devoted to Luther and the reformation in Germany, Zwingli, the Radical Reformers, Calvin, and the English Reformation. However, unlike some books on the Reformation, Nichols also includes chapters on the Puritans, and on significant women of the Reformation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The church must not forget the lessons learned during the Reformation. We cannot forget what happens when the gospel is obscured and distorted.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his chapter on Luther, Nichols offers a sketch of the important events that led up to Luther’s break with Rome, but he does not lose sight of Luther the man in all of this. We must remember that the Reformers were not ivory-tower theologians, discussing doctrines in the peace and quiet of a modern academy setting. No, the Reformers did their theology in the trenches, and Luther is no exception. Nichols describes Luther’s personal struggles in a way that helps readers understand more fully not only what Luther did, but why. He also describes Luther’s sense of humor, and his deep love for his wife Katherina. In this way, Nichols helps us to understand that Luther was not a superhuman being. He was a man providentially placed by God in the midst of extraordinary circumstances.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The same style of writing is evident in the remaining chapters of the book. We find the Reformation initiated in Switzerland during a sausage supper in Zurich with a notable young priest named Zwingli present. We discover the origins of the Anabaptists, those Christians whose convictions concerning baptism and the separation of the church and state often resulted in their martyrdom. We encounter the young John Calvin, whose overnight stop in Geneva on his way to Strasbourg ultimately changed his life and the course of church history. We see the Reformation gain a foothold in England as a result of a king’s desire for a male heir. In all of this, we are introduced to a fascinating and diverse cast of characters, from the soul-searching Martin Luther to the soul-selling Johann Tetzel, from the non-compromising John Knox to the pragmatic Thomas Cranmer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his chapter on the Puritans, appropriately titled “Men in Black,” Nichols clears away centuries of misrepresentation. He describes the roots of puritanism in the ups and downs of the reformation in England, agreeing with one scholar that puritanism was the “real English Reformation.” In his concluding chapter, Nichols introduces us to some of the unsung women of the Reformation, the wives of the Reformers as well as women who made significant contributions to the Reformation on their own.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The church must not forget the lessons learned during the Reformation. We cannot forget what happens when the gospel is obscured and distorted. The Reformation does still matter. Read Stephen Nichols’ book and discover why.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/remembering-reformation" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/remembering-reformation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2022 14:57:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-25-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-24-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-24-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-24-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ's Ongoing Service
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He … began to wash the disciples' feet.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%2013:5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 13:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord Jesus loves His people so much that every day He is still doing for them much that is analogous to washing their soiled feet. Their poorest actions He accepts; their deepest sorrow He feels; their slenderest wish He hears; and their every transgression He forgives. He is still their servant as well as their Friend and Master. He not only performs majestic deeds for them, when in all His priestly garb and function He stands up to plead for them, but He also humbly, patiently goes among His people with the basin and the towel. He does this when He puts away from us day by day our constant infirmities and sins.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Last night when you bowed the knee, you mournfully confessed that much of your conduct was not worthy of your profession; and even tonight you must grieve again that you have fallen into the selfsame folly and sin from which special grace delivered you long ago. And yet Jesus displays great patience with you. He will hear your confession of sin; He will say, “I will—be clean!” He will again apply the blood of sprinkling and speak peace to your conscience and remove every spot. It is a great act of eternal love when Christ once for all absolves the sinner and places him in the family of God; but what condescending patience it is when the Savior with much long-suffering bears the repetitive follies of His wayward disciple, day by day and hour by hour washing away the multiplied transgressions of His erring but still much-loved child! To dry up a flood of rebellion is something marvelous, but to endure the constant dripping of repeated offenses, to bear with a perpetual trying of patience, this is truly divine! While we find comfort and peace in our Lord's daily cleansing, its legitimate influence upon us will be to increase our watchfulness and quicken our desire for holiness. Is that your experience?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/24/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/24/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Oct 2022 14:50:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-24-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-21-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-21-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-21-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus' Sweet Voice
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Luke%2024:38/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 24:38
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God?’”1 The Lord cares for everything, and the smallest creatures share in His universal providence, but His particular providence is over His saints. “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him.”2 “Precious is their blood in his sight.”3 “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”4 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”5 Let the fact that He is the Savior of all men but is specially the Savior of those who believe cheer and comfort you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You are His peculiar care, His royal treasure that He guards as the apple of His eye, His vineyard over which He watches day and night. “Even the hairs of your head are all numbered.”6 Let the thought of His special love to you be a spiritual painkiller, a soothing balm to your woe: “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”7 God says that just as much to you as to any saint of old. “Fear not . . . I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”8 We lose much consolation by the habit of reading His promises for the whole Church instead of taking them directly home for ourselves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Believer, grasp the divine Word with a personal, appropriating faith. Imagine that you hear Jesus say, “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.”9 Imagine you see Him walking on the water of your trouble, for He is there, and He is saying, “Do not fear—it is I.” These are sweet words of Christ! May the Holy Spirit make you feel them as if they were spoken to you; forget others for a while—accept the voice of Jesus as addressed to you and say, “Jesus whispers consolation; I cannot refuse it; I will sit under His shadow with great delight.”10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Isaiah 40:27
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           2) Psalm 34:7
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           3) Psalm 72:14
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           4) Psalm 116:15
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           5) Romans 8:28
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           6) Matthew 10:30
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           7) Hebrews 13:5
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           8) Genesis 15:1
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           9) Luke 22:32
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           10) See Song of Solomon 2:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/21/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/21/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Oct 2022 14:08:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-21-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-20-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-20-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-20-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Every Day is a Sabbath
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” And they had nothing to say. When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%2014%3A1-11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 14:1-11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Sunday School teacher with little use for the miraculous was explaining to his class that the Israelites must have passed through the Sea of Reeds instead of the Red Sea. As this teacher told the story, stressing that the exodus surely had a natural explanation, one of the boys kept saying, “That’s amazing.” Finally, the frustrated teacher made a big point about how the Sea of Reeds is only a few inches deep. Nonetheless, the boy replied again, “That’s amazing.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “What’s amazing?” the teacher asked, indignant. “Any of us could walk through such shallow water. It’s no miracle.” The boy answered, “All the Egyptian army drowned in only a few inches of water!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Pharisees and experts in the law had lost sight of God’s clear Word like the Sunday School teacher. They wanted to stand above the Word instead of under it. They had softened parts and added to others. They’d molded the texts into their own image and understanding.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And then there just so happened to be a man with dropsy in their midst, at a meal to which Jesus had been invited. Was it a coincidence? He could have been planted there to test Jesus. We don’t know. Either way, his presence presented a dilemma. It was the Sabbath, the day of rest. To heal or not to heal, that was the question.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So what did Jesus do? He put the question to them, especially to the lawyers, the teachers of the law. “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” And notice what they did. “They remained silent.” This was a particularly difficult case.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You see, many thought dropsy was a physical manifestation of a spiritual ill, that it betrayed some hidden sin. In other words, many believed that bad people got dropsy. And so the question wasn’t only whether it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath, but whether it was lawful to heal a sinner, a public sinner, on the Sabbath.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hopefully, you know the answer. What’s the Sabbath about, if not healing for sinners? What’s the Sabbath about, if not about God’s mercy? Isn’t that why we’re all here? But it wasn’t that obvious to those gathered. “They remained silent.” And so Jesus answered His question for them. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Every day is a Sabbath for Christians. Every day is the day the Lord has made. Every day is a day to find rest in Christ. Every day is a day to learn his Word. And every day is a day to put that Word into practice, especially for those in need.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It should have been a cut-and-dry matter. It was good and right for Jesus to heal the man, and those gathered should have expected nothing less. Even more, they should have been seeking healing from him, too; they should have been seeking his mercy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It may sound simple, but the church has a long history of making it more difficult than you’d think in both the Old Testament era and in the New. And so Jesus reminds us again every day is a day for mercy. Mercy for sinners. Mercy for me. Mercy for you. Mercy for all with flesh and blood, no matter it’s condition. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/every-day-is-a-sabbath" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/every-day-is-a-sabbath
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2022 14:44:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-20-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-19-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-19-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-19-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Worship...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Mere Christianity CS Lewis comments, ‘According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride…. It was through Pride that the devil became the devil. Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider Jesus’ parable recorded in Luke chapter 18, from verse 9: He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector”.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Jesus’ day the Jewish people considered tax-collectors traitors and thieves – traitors, because they were employed by the Romans; thieves, because they took a percentage of all taxes they collected. Yet the Pharisees at that time were regarded as exemplary, morally upright people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The context of the parable suggests that the two men had gone to the temple for either the morning or the afternoon ritual sacrifice. Yes, both offer their own prayers during the service, but it seems this was customary at the time the priest was offering the sacrificial lamb.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Religion. It seems that the Pharisee stood at the front of the temple, apart from the main body of the congregation. This is consistent with the content and tone of his prayer. Reckoning he was righteous before God he considered himself superior to everyone else.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, in his self-conceit he didn’t pray for the tax-collector but rather prayed so that the tax-collector might hear him: “God, I thank you that I’m not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers or even like that tax collector” (18:11). He moved from what he no doubt considered to be the general sins of his fellow-worshippers to a ruthless denigration of the tax-collector.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And he did not stop there, but outlined his own credentials: he fasted twice a week – whereas the Law required fasting only once a year (on the Day of Atonement); he gave ten percent of all he earned – this too was beyond the Law’s requirements.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Despite all of this the Pharisee, Jesus tells us, had a very real problem: he had the outward form of religion but no personal relationship with God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Relationship. Jesus’ story does not stop here: “But the tax collector, standing far off would not even look up to heaven” (18:13). Standing, as was the Jewish custom, the tax collector was at the back of the temple. He was under no illusion about his moral and spiritual condition. There’s no self-congratulation: rather, he beat his breast.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are only two places in the New Testament where people ‘beat their breast’ – here and in Luke 23:48, where men and women went away from the scene of Jesus’ crucifixion. Only in times of deep emotional stress and grief would people, men especially, beat their breast. Clearly the tax collector was aware that his broken relationship with God was real and that it arose from deep within his heart. Elsewhere Jesus identifies the heart as the seat of all human sin (Mark 7: 21-23).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We can imagine his words bursting out in gasps expressing his inner torture: “‘God be merciful to me, a sinner!’” He felt as if he were the only sinner in the universe.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is something else significant: merciful here is not the usual Greek word. Have mercy on me is normally, eleeson me (as in Luke 18:38). Here the wording is literally, God, make an atonement for me…! It is a reference to the sacrifice of atonement.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The tax collector very specifically asks that God will turn away his just anger through a sacrifice of atonement (or propitiation) so that he might be forgiven. Unlike the Pharisee, this man knows that his only hope is to throw himself totally upon God and God’s heart of mercy. Mercy is the only thing he knew he could ask for.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ concluding comment is breath-taking and would have shocked his first hearers: “I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted” (18:14). The tax collector’s prayer is the kind of prayer God hears.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Significantly there is a change in the order as the two men walk away from the temple. The tax-collector now leads the way. He is the one who is justified.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Justify is the language of the law courts and is central to the Apostle Paul’s teaching about salvation. Significantly it is found first on the lips of Jesus. The tax collector is reckoned righteous in the same way that a judge declares or acquits an accused person of charges against them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kenneth Bailey comments: ‘For centuries the Church debated whether the sacraments have an automatic effect on the believer irrespective of their spiritual state. Here in this simple parable we already have an answer, and the answer is no!’ (Bailey, Peasant Eyes, p.155)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The parable goes to the heart of our relationship with God. And this includes our attitude when we attend church. It is only when we come into God’s presence honestly and with a repentant heart, that God in his mercy declares us pardoned and absolved of our sins. Yet, how often when we go to church do we leave with the same mindset with which we came? Our pride and self-worship have not been challenged by the Scriptures stirring us to confess our true state before God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The tax collector had gone to the temple that day because he knew he needed a relationship with God. He knew he was unworthy of any good thing from God. The encouraging news is that God always hears and answers the honest and humble prayers that come from our heart.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is so easy to be proud of our good works, thinking they give us credit with God when compared with the seemingly godless lives of others. We forget it is not religion that God wants of us but relationship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty and everlasting God, look with mercy on our infirmities; and in all our dangers and necessities stretch out your right hand to help us and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Note: Today’s ‘Word’ is adapted from my book in the ‘Reading the Bible Today’ series, Luke: An Unexpected God, 2nd Edition, Aquila: 2018.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16KYvfIc2bE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Christ Alone from Keith and Kristyn Getty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/worship/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/worship/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Oct 2022 13:09:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-19-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-18-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-18-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-18-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Breath of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Creation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The ancient hymn Veni Creator Spiritus, composed in the eighth century and part of the Roman breviary of Vespers, is a hymn extolling the Holy Spirit. John Dryden’s magnificent translation renders the opening lines this way: “Creator Spirit, by whose aid the world’s foundations first were laid.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The activity of the Holy Spirit as Creator finds expression in the second verse of the Bible! Describing the undeveloped creation as “without form and void” and in “darkness,” the author describes the Spirit of God as “hovering over the face of the waters” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gen.%201%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 1:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Forming a bookend at the close of this opening chapter of Scripture comes the pronouncement of the creation of man: “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gen.%201%3A26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 1:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The use of the pronoun “our” is a reference to the triune Godhead, which includes the Holy Spirit. From the very beginning, the Holy Spirit has been the executive of the creative activity of God. In the creation of the world, as well as the creation of man in particular, the Holy Spirit was the divine agent.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pentecost
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the dawning of the new covenant era, Pentecost would be demonstrative of a similar work of creation, or, better, re-creation. Fallen humanity is to be transformed by the Spirit to a degree unknown under the old covenant.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In an action that was meant to be symbolic of Pentecost, Jesus, in an incident that followed His resurrection, illustrated Pentecost’s significance by breathing on His disciples and saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2020%3A22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 20:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The action is a reminder of the opening sequence of Genesis: the Holy Spirit, the “breath of God,” is the agent of the “breath of life” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gen%202%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen 2:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2020%3A22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 20:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). As God breathed life into Adam, so Jesus, “the last Adam,” breathes new life into His people. Jesus becomes, in Paul’s language, “a life-giving spirit” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%2015%3A45/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 15:45
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Pentecost was an epochal event, signifying the dawning of a new era.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Midway between creation and re-creation, Pentecost is the point after which it can be said, “the end of the ages has dawned” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%2010%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 10:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Historically, at nine o’clock in the morning, the Spirit gave the disciples a clear understanding of Jesus’ role in redemption and consummation, equipping them with extraordinary boldness in making Jesus known. The gift of tongues that accompanied the outpouring of the Spirit enabled folk from different countries to hear the gospel in their own languages. In an instant, the curse of Babel was arrested (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gen.%2011%3A7%E2%80%939/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 11:7–9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Spirit empowered disciples were thus motivated and enabled to take the message of reconciliation to the nations of the world in the certainty that God would accomplish that which He promised (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Luke%2024%3A48/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 24:48
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Acts%201%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 1:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). What appears to be a blessing for the gentiles proves to be a judgment upon Israel. The very sound of the gospel in languages other than their own confirmed the covenantal threat of God issued in Isaiah: “For by people of strange lips and with a foreign tongue the Lord will speak to this people” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Isa.%2028%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 28:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What was to be a blessing for the nations proved to be the very instrument of hardening to Israel, until the “fullness” of the gentiles is brought in (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%2011%3A25/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 11:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By the Spirit’s illumination of the written text, God’s will is made clear.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With this interpretation of Pentecost, repetition cannot be envisioned. Though history records many “outpourings” of the Spirit in extraordinary displays of revival, none of these, strictly speaking, is a repetition of Pentecost. Pentecost marked the major turning point from old to new covenantal administrations. The days of type and shadow were replaced by days of fulfillment and reality. It signaled the end of an economy largely (though not exclusively) focused upon ethnic Israel, heralding instead the dawn of a universalism strongly hinted at in the Old Testament but never realized. Its attendant signs of tongues itself was both a blessing and a curse. The very presence of the miraculous that accompanied Pentecost was itself indicative of the uniqueness of the moment. It marked the appearance of the Apostles—God’s foundational, rather than normative, church builders (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%202%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 2:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Bible
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As pilgrim-saints, regenerated, indwelt, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, on our way to the New Jerusalem, we are still in need of wisdom; this the Spirit provides. It is He who guaranteed that a sure guide to heaven be given to the people of God. Speaking of the Old Testament, Peter could say that no part of it was the product of man’s devising, “but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Peter%201%3A21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Peter 1:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And Paul could echo that “all Scripture is breathed out by God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Tim.%203%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Tim. 3:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Just how the Spirit accomplished this remains something of a mystery. There are the discernible fingerprints of human authors throughout. At the same time, every part of it, down to the least stroke of a pen (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matt.%205%3A18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 5:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) is the product of the out-breathing (exhalation) of God. In five processes then—disclosing wisdom and truth to biblical authors, exhaling, canonizing, preserving, and translating—the Spirit exercises His Lordship in the formation of the Scriptures.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Bible, the Spirit’s rule and guide, is what Christians need in order to ensure holiness and final redemption. By the Spirit’s illumination of the written text, God’s will is made clear. As Christians, we are currently “waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Peter%203%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Peter 3:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). In the state of glory, as the Dutch biblical theologian Geerhardus Vos points out, the Holy Spirit will be “the permanent substratum of the resurrection-life.” The Spirit, who has served the Father and brought glory to the Son, will then be the One who sustains the eternal lives of the saints. Until that day, when “God will be all in all” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Cor.%2015%3A28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 15:28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), we traverse a terrain filled with obstacles and adversities. We face a three-fold enemy: the world, the flesh, and the devil. It is the Spirit, the representative agent of Christ in our hearts who ensures that victory is certain. It is He who ensures who the bondage and frustration brought into the world as a consequence of Adam’s fall is reversed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           New Creation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the other end of the Bible, the book of Revelation depicts the “seven spirits” that are “sent out into all the earth” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rev.%205%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. 5:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; see also 1:4); the spirits are symbolic of the Holy Spirit as the immanent executive of the purposes of God. The hovering Spirit who watches over the formless creation now broods over the cosmos, seeking to bring about a new creation, thereby ensuring its formation according to the perfect plan of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As the divine artist, the Holy Spirit ensured the beauty of Eden as much as the rest of creation: “it was very good” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gen.%201%3A31/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 1:31
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It is more than interesting to discover Moses’ observation that in the design of the tabernacle (the symbol of God’s presence with His redeemed people) its architects, Bezalel and Oholiab, were filled “with the Spirit of God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ex.%2031%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 31:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Moses seems to revel in their concern for beauty and order. There was an evident aesthetic pleasure to the tabernacle—and this was demonstrative of the design of the Holy Spirit (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ex.%2035%3A30%E2%80%9335/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 35:30–35
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Suffice to say that the Holy Spirit lies behind every work of artistry. As John Calvin wrote, “the knowledge of all that is most excellent in human life is said to be communicated to us through the Spirit of God.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The end in view for the Spirit is glory—the glory that Adam failed to achieve in the garden. When prophets of the Holy Spirit depict the work of the Spirit, they envision this glory restored:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Isa.%2032%3A15%E2%80%9317/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 32:15–17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Holy Spirit of God, who first hovered over the waters of creation, spoke through prophets and Apostles, and was poured out at Pentecost as a witness to Christ’s promise of another Paraclete (comforter, sustainer, equipper, counselor). Jesus continues His ministry to His disciples by means of the Spirit as His personal, representative agent. The Spirit’s work, at all times, is to draw attention to Christ: “He will glorify me,” Jesus said, “for he will take what is mine and declare it to you” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%2016%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 16:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From start to finish, the Spirit’s aim is to bring about the new creation in which the splendor of God’s work will be displayed. It is principally of the Holy Spirit’s work that we sing in Wesley’s words:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Finish then thy new creation;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pure and spotless let us be;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let us see thy great salvation
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Perfectly restored in thee:
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Changed from glory into glory,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Till in heaven we take our place,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Till we cast our crowns before thee,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/breath-god" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/breath-god
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:11:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-18-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-17-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-17-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Shepherd's Protection
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He will gather the lambs in his arms.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Isaiah%2040:11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Isaiah 40:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our Good Shepherd has in His flock a variety of experiences. Some are strong in the Lord, and others are weak in faith; but He is impartial in His care for all His sheep, and the weakest lamb is as dear to Him as the strongest in the flock. Lambs are prone to lag behind, to wander, and are apt to grow weary; but from all the danger of these infirmities the Shepherd protects them with His arm of power. He finds newborn souls, like young lambs, ready to perish—He nourishes them until life becomes vigorous. He finds weak minds ready to faint and die—He consoles them and renews their strength. All the little ones He gathers, for it is not the will of our heavenly Father that one of them should perish.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a quick eye He must have to see them all! What a tender heart to care for them all! What a far-reaching and powerful arm, to gather them all! In His lifetime on earth He was a great gatherer of the weaker sort, and now that He dwells in heaven, His loving heart extends to the meek and contrite, the timid and feeble, the fearful and fainting here below. How gently He gathered me to Himself, to His truth, to His blood, to His love, to His Church! With what effectual grace did He compel me to come to Himself!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Since my conversion, He has frequently restored me from my wanderings and once again gathered me within the circle of His everlasting arms! The best of all is that He does it all Himself. He does not delegate the task of love but condescends Himself to rescue and preserve His most unworthy servant. How will I love or serve Him enough? I long to make His name great to the ends of the earth, but what can my feebleness do for Him? Great Shepherd, add to Your mercies this humble request: Grant me a heart to love You more truly as I ought.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Oct 2022 18:55:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion '22 Outreach Ministry Report - Jason</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/myrtle-beach-gospel-invasion-22-outreach-ministry-report-jason</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 2nd Annual Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion was an amazing time with 13 total evangelists!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Myrtle+Beach+Gospel+Invasion+August+2022+Jason+pics.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            More Pics from
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jason McGough
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/myrtle-beach#gamesummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/myrtle-beach#gamesummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Oct 2022 01:52:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/myrtle-beach-gospel-invasion-22-outreach-ministry-report-jason</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Myrtle+Beach+Gospel+Invasion+August+2022+Jason+pics.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-14-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-14-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-14-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Salvation to be Dreaded
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do not be conformed to this world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Romans%2012:2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 12:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If there is any possibility of a Christian being saved while he conforms to this world, it can only be so as through fire. Such a bare salvation is almost to be dreaded as much as to be desired. Reader, would you like to leave this world in the darkness of a desponding deathbed and enter heaven like a shipwrecked sailor climbs the rocks of his native country? Then allow the world to squeeze you into its mold and refuse identity with Christ or to bear His reproach. Would you like to have a heaven below as well as a heaven above? Do you want to comprehend with all saints what are the heights and depths and to know the love of Christ that passes knowledge? Would you like to receive an abundant entry into heaven? Then do not live as a friend of the world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you would attain the full assurance of faith, you cannot do so in communion with sinners. If you desire to be on fire for God, realize that your love will be dampened by the cold rain of a godless society. You cannot become a great Christian, you can never be a mature believer in Christ Jesus while you give in to godless maxims and modes of life. It is incongruous for an heir of heaven to be a great friend with the heirs of hell. It has a bad look when the servant is too intimate with the king's enemies. Even small inconsistencies are dangerous. Just as small thorns make great blisters and little moths destroy fine clothes, so little frivolities and little indiscretions will rob your testimony of a thousand joys.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Professing Christian on the fence, you do not know what you are losing by your conformity to the world. It cuts the tendons of your strength and makes you crawl when you ought to run. So for your own comfort's sake and for the sake of your growth in grace, if you are a Christian, be a Christian, and be a marked and distinct one.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/14/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/14/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 14 Oct 2022 15:36:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-14-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion '22 Outreach Ministry Report - Tim</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/myrtle-beach-gospel-invasion-22-outreach-ministry-report-tim</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 2nd Annual Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion was an amazing time with 13 total evangelists!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+special+Myrtle+Beach+Gospel+Invasion+Sharing+Gospel+with+Daniel+-+Sherwin.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Special Message from Tim Hanley
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - I joined twelve evangelists for the Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion last weekend (see pictures above and below). Teaching by Tommy Waltz and three days preaching and sharing the Gospel on the Myrtle Beach boardwalk and at Plyler Park were God-blessed. We had a number of opportunities to share the Gospel one-on-one, while we all took turns open-air preaching, and at least one man called on the Lord for the first time.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            Please pray for Andrew, a "hopeful convert," and for Ethan, Eli, Sherwin, Daniel, and Adam, with whom I had extensive Gospel conversations.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Myrtle+Beach+Gospel+Invasion+Sharing+Gospel+with+Ethan+and+his+girlfriend.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/myrtle-beach#gamesummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/myrtle-beach#gamesummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 14 Oct 2022 03:30:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/myrtle-beach-gospel-invasion-22-outreach-ministry-report-tim</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+special+Myrtle+Beach+Gospel+Invasion+Sharing+Gospel+with+Daniel+-+Sherwin.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion '22 Outreach Ministry Report - Video</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/myrtle-beach-gospel-invasion-22-outreach-ministry-report-video</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 2nd Annual Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion was an amazing time with 13 total evangelists!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Eric+Gardner+video+preaching+Myrtle+Beach+Gospel+Invasion.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eric Gardner
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            preaching at Plyler Park in Myrtle Beach for the Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/myrtle-beach#gamesummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/myrtle-beach#gamesummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 14 Oct 2022 03:23:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/myrtle-beach-gospel-invasion-22-outreach-ministry-report-video</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Eric+Gardner+video+preaching+Myrtle+Beach+Gospel+Invasion.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion '22 Outreach Ministry Report - Pics</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/myrtle-beach-gospel-invasion-22-outreach-ministry-report-pics</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 2nd Annual Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion was an amazing time with 13 total evangelists!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Myrtle+Beach+Gospel+Invasion+Trey+Egan+preaching+Gospel.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Tim Hanley
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - The 2nd Annual Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion was an amazing time with 13 total evangelists who met at the Myrtle Beach Christian Retreat Center from August 4 - August 7 and preached/shared the Gospel with thousands of people over 3 days. Sports Fan Outreach International was awesome to help coordinate the event and handle all the finances. We were taught apologetics and using questions in evangelism and preaching from Tommy Waltz of Gospel of God Ministries. The Lord taught all of us, the camaraderie was soooo encouraging, and the preaching/sharing was wonderful. IT WAS A GOD-BLESSED AND ANOINTED time. Thanks to all who participated and to all who prayed. One young man called on the Name of the Lord and many others heard the Gospel and saw the Gospel through these mighty men of God. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/myrtle-beach#gamesummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/myrtle-beach#gamesummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 14 Oct 2022 03:16:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/myrtle-beach-gospel-invasion-22-outreach-ministry-report-pics</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Myrtle+Beach+Gospel+Invasion+Trey+Egan+preaching+Gospel.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion '22 Outreach Ministry Report - Group</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/myrtle-beach-gospel-invasion-22-outreach-ministry-report-group</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 2nd Annual Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion was an amazing time with 13 total evangelists!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Group+Photo-Blessed+to+work+with+a+great+group+of+men+in+Myrtle+Beach-+SC..png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy, Open Air Ministries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Blessed to work with a great group of men in Myrtle Beach, SC.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Group+Photo-Blessed+to+work+with+a+great+group+of+men+in+Myrtle+Beach-+SC..jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/myrtle-beach#gamesummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/myrtle-beach#gamesummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 14 Oct 2022 03:02:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/myrtle-beach-gospel-invasion-22-outreach-ministry-report-group</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Group+Photo-Blessed+to+work+with+a+great+group+of+men+in+Myrtle+Beach-+SC..png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-13-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-13-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-13-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Very Brief Introduction to Logos Theology
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As moderns, we can forget that, in the west, it was philosophy that reigned alongside religion. That meant the two shared a sometimes contentious coexistence. Yet, overall, they inevitably enriched each other. What would become known as Western Civilization found its origins in Greek thought which combined the spiritual with the idea of truth. “Truth” was broadly understood as reality, but reality composed more than what the five senses could perceive. Just as today we know that ultraviolet light exists, even though we cannot sense it, ancients understood that lurking behind and beyond the five senses was a spiritual reality. However, they debated its features and effects on the sensible world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The western bias about reality’s nature assumes that underpinning the physical and sensible world is a spiritual and metaphysical one. And one place to spot this bias at work is in the concept of the logos. Logos is Greek for “word,” but its meaning is deeper in Greek thought than our idea of a combination of letters. In its Greek use, logos translates as “reason” or “thought,”—but even this fails to capture for English speakers the nuanced meaning. Logos has two important aspects, “cause” and “presence.” In its causal sense, logos is creative; it reasons, thinks, and in some cases, causes something to be, similar to how a bad thought can cause tears or a good thought, a smile. Its causal aspect also has the sense of rule, as in a king ruling over a kingdom and causing things to happen; or a spiritual or divine reason/logic to the universe that gives predictability to its operations. Aristotle used logos to refer to the persuasive power of logic—a word that shares a similar meaning. Over time logos also comes to mean “presence,” particularly in religion and the philosophy of language. When you hear a person speak, that person is present with you (at least in the ancient world before technology made it otherwise), so speech gets associated with presence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But this soon came to be understood in terms of writing as well. When you read a letter or a book, the author becomes “present” to you through the writing. Therefore, logos carries a sense of personal presence in writing too. Interestingly, much of the foundation of postmodern thought and continental philosophy (a branch of philosophy) is based on the rejection of the presence of the logos. For example, the postmodern scholar Jacques Derrida famously coined the term “logocentrism,” which he defined as a bias of western philosophy where speech is privileged over writing. In other words, for Derrida, western history was a history where written things were secondary to in-person ones because the west has traditionally thought that writing conjures or “makes present” in a lesser way the author who (obviously) is not sitting with you in your living room while you read a book. Writing makes the author present, but less so than speech. The traditional western view of speech and writing was that when you read a book or article, the author was still in some way there – in their word choice, argument, style, and most importantly, intent. The author of a book has something to say, and when you read it, his writing in a strange spiritual-logos way conjures him. Thus, the west, for many centuries, took for granted the idea that books come with authors.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Derrida, postmodernism, and much of continental philosophy rejects this. It rejects the logos and wants to shut out logocentrism. Why? There are many reasons, but the central argument is actually the same as the ancient one: that truth is more extensive than what we sense. For postmoderns, the logos connects truth to authority, and authority shuts down the expansive possibilities of reality. If the author is present in her book, she has some share in what the text means; she shares in or participates in the text. She is not removed from it but remains present within it. And that would mean she also has some authority over what it means. But good readers know that’s not how things seem to work.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The consequences of rejecting the logos in writing are important.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Endless interpretations ensue for any book (and it need not just be the Bible). The author may have had intent, but that doesn’t mean the book functions to deliver that intent. And who’s to say that the book’s functioning in a way the author did not intend is bad? A book may “conjure” an author to our minds, but is this a genuine presence, a sort of quasi-spiritual phenomenon that takes place when we read where the author is given to us, or is the book now its own organism? Is a book like a child, its own creature birthed from an author, having its own will, and its own personality? Perhaps it shares the genetic makeup of its creator, signature features, and passed-along traits. But does it stand apart or remain part of the author? Essentially, that is a significant debate in philosophy today and a central difference between “postmodern” and “ancient” thought.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The consequences of rejecting the logos in writing are important. For all those who say that philosophers argue nonsense and sit in their ivory towers debating inane and unimportant discrepancies, a sobering look at the change in western culture in the past 100 years needs to be had. Everything from the focus on power and power relationships, the burgeoning awareness of privilege, the rejection of truth as fixed and obvious, the tension between identity and politics, the fracturing of traditional religious communities, the importance of “PC” language—all these changes can be traced in no small part to what is now called “the linguistic turn” which, among other things, began a new way of seeing human language, its operations, and the use of the logos.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I should state that I reject the idea that continental philosophy or postmodern thought carries within itself a threat to western civilization or traditionally Christian ways of doing theology. I think such views present a challenge but not a threat. Much within postmodernism stands to correct abuses and overextensions of modernist thought, appropriating, in some cases, ancient ideas and intuitions while rejecting others and striking out on its own ground. Like so much in life, wisdom is needed, and one can appreciate certain aspects of the challenge and correction without the wholesale purchase of the entire enterprise. We gain nothing by turning postmodernism and continental philosophy into a bogyman. And we have much to lose if we do.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That may not be obvious, and time does not permit me in this article to explain why. But in my remaining time with you, I want to set this change in the logos over and against the ancient understanding of Christ as The Logos. I hope we’ll see that, even if we were to follow Derrida in rejecting the logocentrism of speech over writing, Christian theology, in its orthodox expression, needs a traditional sense of logos.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus as The Logos comes from the Bible itself: “In the beginning was the Word (Logos) and the Word (Logos) was with God and the Word (Logos) was God (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%201%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 1:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; in total Logos, is used 331 times in the New Testament). The early church fathers quickly pointed out the consequences of Jesus being the Logos. Justin Martyr was the first father to do so explicitly, though Ignatius and others before him set the groundwork. Justin uses the idea of Jesus as Logos to overcome an objection by critics of early Christianity. That criticism was that if Jesus were the Son of God, it would mean that he could not be co-equal, partly because it would mean there was a time when he was not. This criticism charged that Jesus-as-son was a creation of God and, therefore, not God himself. Justin used the Greek concept of logos (building off John’s usage and Greek thought) to articulate a profound response.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Logos makes salvation possible because it merges God and Man in the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Essentially, the patristic explanation of the Logos went like this (my summary): The Father and the Son are inseparable; they are one God, not two, nor is one lesser than the other. The Son is not a creation of the Father but has always eternally existed with the Father and is equal to the Father. There was no time when he was not. How? Because the Gospel of John teaches that Jesus is the Logos. What does that mean? Well, it's like the (imperfect) distinction between a thought and a person who has the thought. The thought is part of the person, not a separate individual (you cannot separate thoughts from persons, if you try, they become ideas but they are no longer thoughts). As The Logos Jesus is like the thought in God the Father’s mind that created the whole universe. When God spoke the universe into creation, it was the Logos that proceeded from his "mouth," a Word. But the Word was God. It was God's reason (intelligence) that created the universe, and this Word also was causal-creative; it made it happen. There was no time when God was not thinking; there was no time when God was not with the Logos. And when the Logos took on flesh and lived among us, he did not cease being God’s Logos and, therefore, still eternally God. Before the incarnation, the Logos did not have a body, "but for our sake became man." Thus, in his incarnation, the Logos became Jesus, the God-Man. The Logos makes salvation possible because it merges God and Man in the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let me put it another way—the Logos is true God of true God, begotten, not made (i.e. not created) and “one in being with the father, through whom all things were made," and this was done, “for us and for our salvation.” So, while we can still debate the role of presence in writing, or how presence operates in discourse, what we cannot do is abandon the long-standing confession of the Church. As it concerns the Divine Logos, Jesus Christ is fully God, fully present in his word. Logos theology gives a foundation for sacramental theology, where Christ is seen to be present in the bread and wine. Logos theology allows God's word to be miraculous, killing with the law and resurrecting in the gospel. Logos theology also grounds ultimate truth [1] in a person, The Logos, and thus at the same time objectifies and makes eternal the limits of truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The concept of logos makes philosophically possible (and therefore conceptual/intelligible) the promise that Jesus will never leave or forsake us. This promise does not just refer to the gift of the Holy Spirit but also to Jesus himself, who comes to us in word and sacrament, who is "head" of the body, and who invites us to take upon ourselves his yoke of ease. Logos theology is a theology of presence without division. It is a way of unification, of which the incarnation is the greatest visible example. But, it is also a window into our own glorification. As the church father Athanasius rightly quipped, “God became man that man might become God.” This is a statement about unity and oneness, the very oneness Jesus prayed and foresaw in the garden with his High Priestly Prayer. Logos theology does not solve all our recent philosophical meanderings, but it offers a place to say that, when it comes to God and what God is doing, he is here, he is present in his Church, and he is the Way, Truth, and Life. Logos theology offers presence beyond the senses, indivisibility in a broken world, and partnership that overcomes our alienation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/a-very-brief-introduction-to-logos-theology" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/a-very-brief-introduction-to-logos-theology
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 13 Oct 2022 14:54:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-13-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-12-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-12-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-12-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Persistent Prayer...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer is a very special privilege for the people of God. Why don’t we pray more consistently than we do?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come with me to the parable in Luke chapter 18, verses 1 through 9. It is about a powerful judge and a powerless widow. Because women at the time often married much older men, many were widowed and ill-provided for; they were vulnerable to exploitation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The widow here seems to have been unjustly treated over a property or financial matter. A relative may not have passed on her rightful inheritance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But her problem didn’t stop there. Her case was being heard by a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man (18:2). Every society knows powerful people like this. The Jewish historian, Josephus, observed that King Jehoiakim was ‘Neither reverent towards God nor fair towards human beings’ (Antiquities 10.5,20).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The judge in the parable is either unjust or dishonest, or both. He seems more interested in money than morality. What hope did this poor, powerless woman have? We can imagine the stillness amongst Jesus hearers as the drama unfolded, asking themselves, ‘What would I have done?’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The scene is dramatic and unexpected: The widow kept coming to him’ (18:3). She used the only weapon she had – persistence. ‘Grant me justice against my opponent’ (18:3) she insists.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For a while the judge acts true to form: he does nothing. But in time he relents, not because he is a changed man but because of her perseverance: ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone,…’ he says (18:4).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The words no respect are significant. Kenneth Bailey comments that ‘Middle Eastern traditional culture is a shame/pride culture. That is, a particular pattern of social behavior is encouraged by appeals to shame’ (Bailey, Peasant Eyes, p.132).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whereas the judge should have felt shame about the way he treated the widow, he didn’t. No appeal of goodness or mercy could be made to him on behalf of the destitute woman. Money may be one thing that persuades him… or is it? His soliloquy continues, “Yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming” (18:5).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The woman is persistent, and the judge realizes she will not give up. Indeed, her perseverance provokes this powerful, corrupt man to bring about justice: he not only hears her case, he settles it in her favor.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus comments: “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (18:6-8)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The word delay literally means patience. It’s a word in the New Testament especially linked to God’s act of salvation, such as we find in 1 Timothy 1:16 and 1 Peter 3:20. In each instance the stress is on the long-suffering nature of God’s patience in dealing with us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two commentators, Bailey and Horst, observe that the sentence, Will he delay long over them is not a question but rather a statement, better translated, He is also slow to anger over them. All of us are sinners. None of us either through our efforts or because of who we are, can claim God’s kindness, let alone his vindication of us. We are totally dependent on his mercy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is key to understanding the parable. To paraphrase Kenneth Bailey (Through Peasant Eyes, p.139), God’s people ‘are sinners, not sinless saints. If God is not willing put aside his anger towards us, we can’t approach him in prayer. We dare not call out for vindication lest, as the prophet Amos warns, the Day of the Lord is a day of darkness, not light (Amos 5:18-20). To seek vindication does not make us righteous’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is only because God is long-suffering and patient that he will be slow to anger towards those who persist in calling on him and throwing themselves and their needs upon his mercy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through this parable Jesus brings our attention to profound and encouraging themes about prayer. In the face of life’s uncertainties, he wants us to know that we can and should pray. Persistence in our prayer invites God’s long-suffering patience and mercy towards us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God is not capricious but is a loving, compassionate Father who will vindicate our cause. He will do this, not because we deserve it, but because he is merciful. While we will delight in seeing the perfect manifestation of this on the final day, we can also be assured that there will be times when God will vindicate us in our present life’s experience.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We can be confident that God is at work in the drama of human history and in our lives, bringing his good purposes to pass, including the final vindication of his people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, Jesus asks you and me about our prayer and our trust: When the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The real issue is not with God’s willingness to answer our prayers but with our refusal to ask.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So why don’t we pray? Is it because God doesn’t seem to answer our prayer? Is it because we have been swayed by our culture and think of prayer as a psychologically therapeutic exercise, making the pray-er feel better, but having little other effect?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Or is it because we think that God will do what he wants anyway, whether or not we pray? If that’s what we think, we misunderstand Jesus and what the New Testament says elsewhere. Prayer is a powerful gift God has given to us – not because of the prayer itself, but because we are praying to the great King of the universe. God has given us the privilege of being caught up with his purposes in the world. Why don’t we pray more consistently than we do?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty God, creator of all things and giver of every good and perfect gift, hear with favor the prayers of your people, so that we who are justly punished for our offences may mercifully be delivered by your goodness, for the glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to the hymn, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDYjn-YdnD4" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Holy Spirit Fall Living Breath of God from Keith and Kristyn Getty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/persistent-prayer/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/persistent-prayer/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Oct 2022 14:46:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-12-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-11-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-11-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-11-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5 Things You Should Know About David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David, king of Israel, is well-known for many things, from his astounding faith before Goliath, to his terrible sins against Bathsheba and her husband, to his heartfelt psalms of praise and repentance. Here are five things about David you should also know.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1. David descended from a gentile.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David was the son of Jesse from the tribe of Judah, but his line wasn’t pristine. Like Jesus, he had significant sinners and even a gentile in his family history (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Gen.%2038/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 38
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ruth%204%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ruth 4:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The gentile was his great-grandmother Ruth, that remarkable Moabitess who declared to her Jewish mother-in-law, “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ruth%201%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ruth 1:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This reminds us that greatness in God’s house is not limited to those with “pure” pedigrees, just as it is not guaranteed to those with them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2. David was an unexpected king.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first king of Israel stood out because of his physical appearance—Saul was very tall (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%209%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 9:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )—but David did not stand out in the same way. He was the youngest of eight sons, and when Samuel first comes to Jesse’s house to anoint a new king in Saul’s place, he is certain it will be David’s eldest brother, Eliab (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2016%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 16:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But God tells him not to look at height or outward appearance, because He doesn’t select kings based on stature. He looks on the heart, and David stands out from among the rest because he is “a man after [God’s] own heart” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2013%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 13:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Nevertheless, Jesse makes all seven of David’s brothers pass before Samuel—and get rejected—before calling David in from watching the sheep (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2016%3A10%E2%80%9313/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 16:10–13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3. David was a shepherd at heart.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David’s occupation before becoming a soldier in Saul’s army was to keep his father’s sheep. Remarkably, he killed lions and bears in defense of his flock, not only from a distance with a sling but sometimes by catching them “by the beard” and striking them (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Sam.%2017%3A35/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 17:35
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He seemed genuinely to know their needs and to care for his sheep, which remained true even when he moved to tending people (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ps.%2078%3A70%E2%80%9372/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 78:70–72
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). David’s shepherding heart and experience provided a picture for him of God’s perfect care for His sheep, which David captures movingly in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Psalm%2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . We also see that when Nathan confronts David about his sin with Bathsheba, he brings it home to his heart by telling a story about a poor man and his little ewe lamb (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Sam.%2012/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Sam. 12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           4. David tried to build Solomon’s temple.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Once David was finally settled as king in Jerusalem, he realized he was living in a house of cedar but the ark of God only in a tent. So he set out to build a house for God, but God stopped him. Instead, God tells David that He will build him a house—not another physical structure, of course, but a dynasty that will culminate with One who will reign forever and ever (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Sam.%207%3A1%E2%80%9317/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Sam. 7:1–17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Thus, the building of the temple fell to David’s son Solomon. We learn later that God kept David from building the temple in part because he was a man of war and had shed much blood (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Chron.%2028%3A2%E2%80%933/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Chron. 28:2–3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Nevertheless, David prepared nearly everything for Solomon to execute the work (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Chron.%2022%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Chron. 22:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5. David awaited a greater Son.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David received God’s promise to him of an everlasting house with great joy and gratitude (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/2%20Sam.%207%3A18%E2%80%9329/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Sam. 7:18–29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). David came to understand that one of his offspring will also be his Lord, which he expresses in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Psalm%20110/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 110
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : “The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ ” Jesus quotes this psalm as evidence of David’s understanding that one of his future sons according to the flesh would also be his “Lord” (in addition to the Lord his God) and therefore greater than any merely natural offspring (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Mark%2012%3A35%E2%80%9337/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 12:35–37
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/5-things-david" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/5-things-david
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 11 Oct 2022 15:15:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-11-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-10-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-10-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-10-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blameless!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Jeremiah%2015:21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeremiah 15:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Notice the personal nature of this promise: “I will.” The Lord Jehovah Himself intervenes to deliver and redeem His people. He pledges Himself personally to rescue them. His own arm shall do it, in order that He may have the glory. Not a word is said of any effort of our own that may be needed to assist the Lord. Neither our strength nor our weakness is taken into account, but the lone “I,” like the sun in the heavens, shines out resplendent in complete sufficiency. Why then do we allow ourselves to be wounded by calculating our forces and consulting with mere men? God has enough power without borrowing from our puny arm.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To enjoy peace, our unbelieving thoughts must be stilled, and we must learn that the Lord reigns. There is not even a hint of help from any secondary source. The Lord says nothing of friends and helpers: He undertakes the work alone and feels no need of human arms to aid Him. All our looking around to companions and relatives are vain; they are broken reeds if we lean upon them—often unwilling when able, and unable when they are willing. Since the promise comes from God alone, it is best for us to wait only on Him; and when we do so, our expectation never fails us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Who are the wicked, that we should fear them? The Lord will utterly consume them; they are to be pitied rather than feared. As for terrible ones, they are only terrors to those who have no God to turn to, for when the Lord is on our side, whom shall we fear? If we run into sin to please the wicked, we have cause to be alarmed; but if we maintain our integrity, the rage of tyrants will be overruled for our good. When the fish swallowed Jonah, he found him a morsel that he could not digest; and when the world devours the church, it is glad to be rid of it again. In all occasions of fiery trial, let us maintain our souls in patience.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/10/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/10/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Oct 2022 19:32:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-10-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-7-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-7-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-7-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Whom Do You Now Trust?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In whom do you now trust?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Isaiah%2036:5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 36:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reader, this is an important question. Listen to the Christian's answer, and see if it is yours. “In whom do you now trust?” “I trust,” says the Christian, “in a triune God. I trust the Father, believing that He has chosen me from before the foundations of the world; I trust Him to provide for me in providence, to teach me, to guide me, to correct me if need be, and to bring me home to His own house where there are many rooms.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I trust the Son. He is very God of very God—the man Christ Jesus. I trust in Him to take away all my sins by His own sacrifice and to clothe me with His perfect righteousness. I trust Him to be my Intercessor, to present my prayers and desires before His Father's throne, and I trust Him to be my Advocate at the last great day, to plead my cause, and to justify me. I trust Him for what He is, for what He has done, and for what He has promised still to do.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And I trust the Holy Spirit—He has begun to save me from my inbred sins; I trust Him to drive them all out; I trust Him to curb my temper, to subdue my will, to enlighten my understanding, to check my passions, to comfort my despondency, to help my weakness, to illuminate my darkness. I trust Him to dwell in me as my life, to reign in me as my King, to sanctify me completely, spirit, soul, and body, and then to take me up to dwell with the saints in light forever.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What blessed trust—to trust Him whose power will never be exhausted, whose love will never weaken, whose kindness will never change, whose faithfulness will never fail, whose wisdom will never be overruled, and whose perfect goodness can never be impaired! You are happy, reader, if this trust is yours! So trusting, you will enjoy sweet peace now and glory later, and the foundation of your trust will never be removed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/07/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/07/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text Daily Devotional to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 07 Oct 2022 17:19:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-7-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion '22 Outreach Ministry Report - Day 2</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/myrtle-beach-gospel-invasion-22-outreach-ministry-report-day-2</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 2nd Annual Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion was an amazing time with 13 total evangelists!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Joe+Toy+Open+Air+Ministries+Myrtle+Beach+Gospel+Invasion-day2.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Joe Toy, Open Air Ministries
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Pray for us as we begin day two of our Outreach on the boardwalk in Myrtle Beach. Pray for many fruitful conversations point people to salvation in Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/myrtle-beach#gamesummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/myrtle-beach#gamesummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 07 Oct 2022 03:43:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/myrtle-beach-gospel-invasion-22-outreach-ministry-report-day-2</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Joe+Toy+Open+Air+Ministries+Myrtle+Beach+Gospel+Invasion-day2.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion '22 Outreach Ministry Report - Gospel Conversations</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/myrtle-beach-gospel-invasion-22-outreach-ministry-report-gospel-conversations</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 2nd Annual Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion was an amazing time with 13 total evangelists!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Joe+Toy+Open+Air+Ministries+Myrtle+Beach+Gospel+Invasion-gospel+conversations.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Joe Toy, Open Air Ministries
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Many gospel conversations on the boardwalk in Myrtle Beach SC.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/myrtle-beach#gamesummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/myrtle-beach#gamesummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 07 Oct 2022 03:38:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/myrtle-beach-gospel-invasion-22-outreach-ministry-report-gospel-conversations</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Joe+Toy+Open+Air+Ministries+Myrtle+Beach+Gospel+Invasion-gospel+conversations.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion '22 Outreach Ministry Report - Pray</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/myrtle-beach-gospel-invasion-22-outreach-ministry-report-pray</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 2nd Annual Myrtle Beach Gospel Invasion was an amazing time with 13 total evangelists!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Joe+Toy+Open+Air+Ministries+Myrtle+Beach+Gospel+Invasion-pray.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy, Open Air Ministries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Pray for us as we begin to proclaim the gospel on the boardwalk at Myrtle Beach.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/3+Myrtle+Beach+Gospel+Invasion+August+2022+Jason+pics.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/myrtle-beach#gamesummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/myrtle-beach#gamesummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 07 Oct 2022 03:21:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/myrtle-beach-gospel-invasion-22-outreach-ministry-report-pray</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Joe+Toy+Open+Air+Ministries+Myrtle+Beach+Gospel+Invasion-pray.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-6-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-6-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-6-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is the Gospel?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I recently visited Scotland for the first time. My wife’s family is from there and I have always wanted my sons to soak in and enjoy the history and heritage that belongs to them. At every site we visited, I stopped to marvel at the beauty of the land and the beauty of it’s history. One of the sites we visited was an ancient Christian site along the west coast of Scotland. It was filled with beautiful Celtic Christian artwork. This particular Celtic site was established before the year 1000. As we spent time there, I found myself searching for the gospel in the artwork and presentation of this site.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What exactly is the gospel? Unfortunately, many different answers have been given to this question throughout Christian history. But we know from Scripture there is only one answer, and that answer is important.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Imagine if Noah built an umbrella instead of an ark? Imagine if Moses didn't fashion the bronze snake on the pole and told the Isralites to just be really nice and kind to each other as they died from the venom? What if the Israelites decided that it was cruel and refused to paint the blood of a lamb over their door as the Angel of Death visited their house in Egypt? Each of these give us an illustration of God’s saving work. And if the message they presented was or is ever confused, we are in danger of not correctly relaying the correct gospel laid out through God’s narrative.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is why the writers of the New Testament continue to encourage us to not let false teachers preach another gospel. To confuse the gospel would mean to exchange “the good news” for “bad news.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The gospel, the good news, is an announcement that God has acted to save you. I am not talking about any potential positive change in you morally or socially as the result of the gospel hitting your ears and exploding faith in Christ in you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The gospel is how God rescues sinners from sin, death, hell, devil and the grave. It is not what it should or could do to you morally or socially. I am only interested here in placarding what the “Good News” is. The gospel is of vital importance and the gospel assumed is the gospel denied. And while it can be communicated in various ways, every place we find it in Scripture points us to the same truth:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/1%20Corinthians%2015%3A3-4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Corinthians 15:3-4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%203%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 3:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Romans%204%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 4:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - “And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Ephesians%202%3A8-9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians 2:8-9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Gospel is an announcement of an actual event in time and space where Christ was crucified and cursed in your place and raised from the dead so that you would be raised from the dead. It was an event that happened outside of you, and that was done for you. It is good news as an announcement of what was done for you and what is actually being given to you in the hearing of this announcement. It is the forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is my conviction, which is bound by Scripture, that prevents me from identifying the gospel as anything outside of God’s action for sinners. Specifically, God’s action for you. Even more specifically, God’s action through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that is for you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, when we see the gospel made out to be national patriotism, social justice, how to be a better person, how to have a better life, how to have better health, how to be more successful, how to be more prosperous, or how to be thriving and amazingly blessed according to this world, where is the gospel? Where is Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sins? It is nowhere to be found. It is assumed at best and at worst it is presented as a means of how your felt needs can be met through this fake gospel. It is our generation’s own offering of indulgences. It is a transaction of tithes and membership in exchange for the neverending “seven step series’” on how to achieve what you want in this life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I need to hear the gospel every day because when life gets hard, when trials come, when death is near, when death hits home, my default is to grasp at the law and to ask “What have I done? Have I done right? Have I done enough?” And law that is written on our hearts says “No, you have not done enough and will never do enough.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We need to hear the gospel because it is good news that is not from you, or about you, or because of you. It is good news that is from God, about God, because of God, for you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You can’t take a gift. You receive a gift.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Never forget the “for you” part of the gospel. The for you part transfers the historical event of the Gospel to an event of the gospel in real time that is being given to you and done to you. Not speaking about the gospel but giving the gospel. Not speaking bout Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sins, but about Christ crucified for the forgiveness of your sins given to you right now!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The gospel is not a transaction where you decide to take the offer of the gospel. It is not as if God places forgiveness of sins on account of Christ on a table in front of you, waiting for you to pick it up for it to now then belong to you and be for you. That is not how the Gospel works. It doesn't become “yours” or “true for you” when you decide to take the Gospel. The Gospel is a gift, and you can’t take a gift. You receive a gift. The gospel is therefore not activated nor initiated by you to be true for you. God chose to give it to you and sent someone to announce this good news to you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I looked for the Gospel in these ancient sites in Scotland. I saw crosses. Ornate crosses. I looked for “Christ crucified for my sins.” At the Celtic site in Scotland, a church still meets. Inside, they had a poster listing seven points of their beliefs all of which revolved around their first point, that the gospel commands them to see peace founded on justice and that costly reconciliation is at the heart of the Christian faith. While I saw the gospel in this ancient site displayed in the crosses which proclaimed “Christ crucified for my sins,” this message of a gospel which commands rather than promises is unfortunately not the gospel of Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The gospel is not a command to do something for God for him to save you. It is an announcement that God has done something for you to save you. For Christ’s sake this is most certainly true.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/what-is-the-gospel" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/what-is-the-gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILY DEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 06 Oct 2022 14:33:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-6-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Illinois State University Game Summary - 10/1/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-illinois-state-university-game-summary-10-1-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/nelson_jacob"&gt;&#xD;
      
           J
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/nelson_jacob"&gt;&#xD;
      
           acob Nelson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/game+summary+Jacob+Nelson+Illinois+State+University+SFOI+1000+10-1.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10/1-
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The ISU football game on Saturday October 1st was evangelized by myself and another faithful brother, named Jeff Haab. Many tracts were distributed to the thousands of Redbird fans in attendance. We were also blessed with favor to preaching issuing amplification right in front of the ticket gate of the stadium. Many heard the truth of God’s saving gospel and the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Some mocked and reviled, some encouraged, and one young man approached and asked for prayer, seemingly being under deep conviction. A mother and her two young children stopped and listened for a number of minutes and I was able to dialogue with the young fellow concerning gospel truth. It was a blessing and a privilege to represent Christ that day.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Illinois-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Illinois-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 2022 22:31:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-illinois-state-university-game-summary-10-1-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/game+summary+Jacob+Nelson+Illinois+State+University+SFOI+1000+10-1.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Cincinnati Bengals Game Summary - 9/29/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-cincinnati-bengals-game-summary-9-29-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/doerman_david"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave Doerman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Cincinnati+Bengals+David+Doerman+SFOI+1000+9-29.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9/29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Bengals video for this week:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch it below:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelize Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We proclaim the gospel at sporting events around Cincinnati. And we do one-to-one witnessing at the University of Cincinnati. Check our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://evangelizecincinnati.com/evangelism-outreach-schedule/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelism Outreach Schedule 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           and join us as we Evangelize Cincinnati.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Cincinnati-Bengals"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Cincinnati-Bengals
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 2022 22:19:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-cincinnati-bengals-game-summary-9-29-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Cincinnati+Bengals+David+Doerman+SFOI+1000+9-29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Tennessee Football Game Summary - 9/24/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-tennessee-football-game-summary-9-24-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/adams_bill"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            9/24
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - UT vs. Florida 9/24/22. Big games always draw the crowds out early and Saturday in Knoxville was no exception. ESPN began their Game Day Program at 9:00 AM and when I arrived at our ministry location at 12:30 the crowd looked like everyone going to the game was already there for a 3:30 PM kickoff.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise the Lord for 12 of us being there to minister to the fans and local citizens. Wendell Shrock brought his family of 8, Aaron from last Saturday was there, plus an old friend Jeff and two evangelists I did not know from Greeneville.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Gospel was proclaimed and many people took tracts and had conversations. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Starkey a friend and supporter from North Carolina said hello and Libby who works at Neyland Stadium stopped by again. She has donated $20 both weeks which went to purchase water.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Next game is October 22. Alabama is the opponent. If UT is still undefeated it'll be another big game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Tennessee"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Tennessee
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 2022 22:11:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-tennessee-football-game-summary-9-24-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill+Adams+SFOI+1000+University+of+TN+9-24.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Tennessee Football Game Summary - 9/17/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-tennessee-football-game-summary-9-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/adams_bill"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            9/17
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Saturday's UT outreach was outstanding! First, Wendell Shrock brought 4 of his children with him; Wendell's friends Tony and then Matt joined us and another of their friends who was witnessing to the fans individually stopped by and lastly Aaron, at the game by himself, joined us. In all a total of 11 evangelists were at the game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           PLUS, and this is a huge answer to pray, a lady came over and said, "I'm a Christian can I pass out some tracts?" She did so for an hour before she went into the game. I've been praying the Lord would bring fans out of the crowd to join us! And the Lord answered the prayer! Hallelujah!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lastly, the fans arrived early and the crowd was large all evening from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Tennessee"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Tennessee
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:33:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-tennessee-football-game-summary-9-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/game+summary+Bill+Adams+University+of+TN+9-17+SFOI+1000.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Boise State University Game Summary - 9/17/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-boise-state-university-game-summary-9-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelist: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/grubb_rod"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rod Grubb
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Boise State University #SFOI1000 Outreach (9/17/2022) 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My wife Rosie and I were blessed to outreach this afternoon’s UT Martin vs Boise State (BSU) football game at Albertsons Stadium on the campus of BSU.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The weather was beautiful pre-fall day with some of the leaves beginning to change, temps on the mid 70’s, and a pleasant cooling breeze. Pre-game crowds were huge for this sold out game, with attendance at 36,396!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise to the Lord, Rosie and were able to pass out over 500 tracts in just over an hour. We each were blessed with a couple of conversations. Please pray for a young man named Wyatt.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One odd thing happened towards the end of the outreach. A woman walked by me and thrust in ice cold can of beer in my hand. I couldn’t get to a trash can fast enough to get rid of it &amp;#55357;&amp;#56832;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Boise-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Boise-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 2022 21:04:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-boise-state-university-game-summary-9-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Rod+Grubb+Boise+State+University+9-17.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Arizona State Game Summary - 9/24/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-arizona-state-game-summary-9-24-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/redondo_matthew"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew Redondo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/game+summary+Matthew+Redondo+Arizona+State+SFOI+1000+9-24.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            9/24
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Game went well. We had 6 guys. Mike ,Michael, Eric, Diego, his son, and myself. Also ran into Thomas (friends with Tatsuo) with his giant sign pole and bullhorn. Took a picture together. We made plans to preach down at the Day of the Dead parade in Tucson next month. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preached around 1.5 hours. Few hecklers, some good conversations. I had 2 really decent ones one with a group of girls and one who might have been a guy… But for the most part got the through the Gospel . Had another conversation with a young man that went really well. Really encouraged him to live for the Lord seemed like he might have been a believer. People overall seemed receptive to materials. Gave out quite a few of the Gospels of Mark. That is unusual. I do feel people respect the preaching. Crowds seemed lighter, it was warm. But we had no issue with the authorities. We preached from a little gravel bed and used a control box for a pulpit. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One the way to the stadium there wasn’t hardly anyone on the train but the on the way back there were. Got to preach on the train a little. Had a heckler but after we got off 2 guys shook our hands and thanked us for preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/arizona-state"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/arizona-state
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 2022 20:34:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-arizona-state-game-summary-9-24-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/game+summary+Matthew+Redondo+Arizona+State+SFOI+1000+9-24.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-5-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-5-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-5-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gratitude...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of the many things that impressed Judith and me on moving to the United States was the Thanksgiving holiday. In November 2001, we were invited to a Thanksgiving meal by a family in the city. Towards the end of the meal our hosts invited everyone around the table to name one thing that had happened during the year for which they were thankful. Everyone had a story to tell, especially as we had all experienced 9/11 in New York City. What special encouragement it was to look back together and thank the Lord for the good things he does in our lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Every year just before Thanksgiving, the local news includes a segment with a reporter asking children what they are thankful for.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Luke chapter 17, verse 11 we red that Jesus was in the border area between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered an unnamed village ten lepers began shouting out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Outcasts. We can imagine the scene. Outcasts of society because of their infectious disease, they were compelled by law to live beyond the fringes of the town. Coming as near as they dared, they tried to attract Jesus’ attention, calling out, not specifically for healing, but for mercy – charis (17:12-13).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The words, when he saw them, suggest that there was a time delay before Jesus noticed them. This is another detail indicating the authenticity of Luke’s report. The simplicity of Jesus’ response is remarkable: he didn’t lay his hands on them, he didn’t pray a loud, lengthy prayer, or tell them they were healed. Rather, he simply told them to do what was required of anyone who had been cured of leprosy – namely, go and show themselves to the priests who were charged with the task of health inspection (so, Leviticus 14:2ff).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus put their faith to the test by telling them to act as though they had been cured. So it was, as they went, they were made clean (17:14). Their act in going was a response of faith and obedience. If they had not believed in the power of Jesus’ words, they would not have gone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Healing. But the narrative doesn’t end there. Verse 15 tells us that one of the nine, seeing that he had been healed, turned back to Jesus, praising God with a loud voice. He would not keep quiet. Having seen God at work that day he wanted to let everyone else know about it. And 17:16 tells us he understood Jesus’ extraordinary power and compassion. In an act of humility and gratitude he prostrated himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Almost as an afterthought Luke adds: And he was a Samaritan. It is a telling comment. In the parable of the Good Samaritan there is an underlying theme: the Jewish disdain, even hatred for the Samaritans. But such were the horrors of leprosy that in this instance Jewish people and Samaritans had been brought together. It says a great deal that Jesus did not isolate the nine Jewish sufferers for special blessing; both the Jewish and the Samaritan were equal beneficiaries of his compassionate word of power.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Only one. Further, it says a great deal that the Samaritan was the first and only one who turned back to thank Jesus, even though Jesus was a Jewish rabbi. It almost seems as though the Jewish lepers expected God’s compassion and action as a matter of right: they had no need to thank him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With three deft questions Jesus exposes the failure of the nine to express their gratitude to God for their healing. Apparently caught up with their new found happiness they forgot the source (God) and instrument (Jesus) of their cure. It was clearly too much bother for them to make the effort to return to Jesus and thank him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Understandably Jesus was saddened by this: “Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” he asked (17:18). How easily we forget to thank God for all the good things he does for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For the man who turned back to Jesus there seems to have been an added blessing: “Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well,” Jesus said (17:19).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While the nine were certainly healed of their leprosy, the words translated here, has made you well are literally, has saved you. For this man there was a healing of his soul as well as his body.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is thanksgiving a regular part of your prayer? Paul the Apostle writes in Philippians chapter 4, verse 4: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice. … Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Prayer. Almighty God, creator of all things and giver of every good and perfect gift, hear with favor the prayers of your people, so that we who are justly punished for our offences may mercifully be delivered by your goodness, for the glory of your name; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to the hymn, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BrfkjHdKVI" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           May the Peoples Praise You from Keith and Kristyn Getty.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/gratitude/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/gratitude/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 2022 20:24:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-5-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Ohio State University Game Summary - 9/17/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-ohio-state-university-game-summary-9-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelist: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/coughlin_michael"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Michael Coughlin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            9/17
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Matt Smith, Paul Huston and Wesley Coughlin. Videos and Photo from today: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Michael+Coughlin+Ohio+State+University+9-17.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/OHIO-STATE-UNIVERSITY"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/OHIO-STATE-UNIVERSITY
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 2022 03:40:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-ohio-state-university-game-summary-9-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Michael+Coughlin+Ohio+State+University+9-17.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Cincinnati Game Summary - 9/17/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-cincinnati-game-summary-9-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/doerman_david"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave Doerman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           UC Bearcats 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9-17-22 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Video
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch it below:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelize Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We proclaim the gospel at sporting events around Cincinnati. And we do one-to-one witnessing at the University of Cincinnati. Check our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://evangelizecincinnati.com/evangelism-outreach-schedule/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelism Outreach Schedule 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           and join us as we Evangelize Cincinnati.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Cincinnati"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 2022 03:25:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-cincinnati-game-summary-9-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Doerman+University+of+Cincinnati+SFOI+1000+9-17-22.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Middle TN State University Game Summary - 9/17/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-middle-tn-state-university-game-summary-9-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelist: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/harris_samuel"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Samuel Harris
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/day_david"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            9/17
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Pictures of my sons handing out tracks while I am open air preaching at the game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Middle-Tennessee-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Middle-Tennessee-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 2022 03:16:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-middle-tn-state-university-game-summary-9-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/game+summary+Middle+TN+State+University+Samuel+Harris+9-17.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Auburn University Game Summary - 9/17/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-auburn-university-game-summary-9-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/cohen_ben"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ben
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            * &amp;amp;
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/day_david"&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Day
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            9/17
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Ben: We had a wonderful outreach this weekend at the Auburn vs Penn St game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Day, his son and Scott Roney preached at Toomers Corner.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Myself and Suok Swafford were at the other end of the stadium. About 45 mins before the game started, Ryan Hull and Payne Nunn joined us with two other young men and an older man all from Mississippi I had never met before :)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Day
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : "The Lord is kind to raise up a people for Himself as vessels for His glory. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thankful for the opportunity to labor alongside my brothers Wes Graff, Scott Roney, Ben Cohen, Su Ok, and of course my son Jonathan. Here is a short video of this past Saturday in Auburn. "
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Auburn-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Auburn-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Oct 2022 02:59:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-auburn-university-game-summary-9-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/video+image+Auburn+University+David+Day+and+Ben+9-17.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-4-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-4-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-4-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What are the Charismatic Gifts?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit has given gifts for ministry to His people, and the English word “gifts” is a translation of the Greek word charismata. Therefore, the charismatic movement, which is the result of the influence of Pentecostal Christianity, refers to a movement in the Christian church that has a unique emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. “Unique emphasis” is key here because in one sense, all churches are charismatic. After all, every Christian denomination believes that at least some gifts of the Holy Spirit continue to operate today in our post-Apostolic age. What sets the charismatic movement and Pentecostalism apart is their belief that the so-called charismatic gifts continue as well. Today, we usually use the term “charismatic gifts” to refer specifically to those spiritual gifts practiced by Pentecostal Christians and believers in the charismatic movement but not practiced in historic Protestantism or Roman Catholicism. These gifts include tongues, prophecy, and healing or miracles.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Specific Charismatic Gifts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Speaking in tongues, sometimes referred to as glossolalia, is the gift of speaking another language not known to the speaker. Some who advocate the continuation of tongues today say that tongues are actual, known human languages. For instance, a native English speaker who suddenly speaks Spanish under the influence of the Holy Spirit—even though he does not know Spanish—would be speaking in tongues. More commonly today, however, people view the gift of tongues as referring to speaking a language that has not been documented among human beings, perhaps a language spoken by the angels. Tongues are used as a private prayer language but also in corporate worship when many people speak in tongues all at once or when an individual says something in tongues and then an interpreter, under the influence of the Spirit, translates it for the benefit of the congregation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In prophecy, an individual is believed to speak for God directly. The Lord reveals a message for that person or for others, and then the prophet delivers it. These modern prophets are believed to be much like the prophets we read about in Scripture, men or women chosen to give others a word from the Lord directly by way of special inspiration. Sometimes gifts such as a “word of wisdom” are a type of prophecy. Some people who affirm that this gift continues believe that it is identical to the gift given to the biblical prophets and that the message is infallible. Others believe that modern prophets speak messages that include truth from God but may be mixed with error and thus are to be judged by Scripture.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Finally, some believers are said to possess the gift of healing or miracles. Here we are not talking about praying for the sick, which all Christians do, nor about God miraculously healing people or protecting them in accordance with the prayers of His people. Rather, we are talking about individuals who claim to have a special talent for bringing about healing or working miracles. Pentecostal and charismatic Christians believe that somebody with the gift of healing is employed directly by God and used as His agent to restore health to others.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do Charismatic Gifts Continue?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we consider the claim that the gifts of tongues, prophecy, and healing continue today, we should first commend Pentecostal and charismatic Christians for their interest in the work of the Holy Spirit. All believers should want to know more about the person of the Holy Spirit and desire to see Him work in the world. He is the third person of the Holy Trinity, after all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The question before us is not whether we should believe that the Holy Spirit is at work today. All Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is working today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The question before us is not whether we should believe that the Holy Spirit is at work today. All Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is working today. Reformed Christians in particular believe that the work of the Holy Spirit is discerned especially in regeneration, when He gives us hearts to believe the gospel (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/John%203%3A1%E2%80%938/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 3:1–8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), and in sanctification, when He enables us to more and more die unto sin and live unto holiness (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Rom.%208/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). We also believe that God, by His Holy Spirit, sometimes heals people in extraordinary ways when we pray for them (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/James%205%3A14%E2%80%9315/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           James 5:14–15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That the Holy Spirit is working today, however, does not have to mean that He continues to grant the charismatic gifts of tongues, prophecy, and healing today. These gifts are associated with the giving of special revelation. As we look throughout the history of redemption in Scripture, we see that miracles, prophecy, and ecstatic utterances such as tongues were not everyday occurrences but rather were associated with particular epochs. The era of Moses when the law was being given, the era of the old covenant prophets as instituted in the ministries of Elijah and Elisha, and the era of Jesus and the early Apostles that inaugurated the new covenant—these are the periods in biblical history when we see what we call the charismatic gifts manifested. In each of these eras, new special revelation was being given and the supernatural signs accompanied the deliverance of this revelation in order to authenticate it as from God. However, we know now that special revelation has ceased. God has spoken decisively in His Son, and we will not have new revelation from Him until Christ returns (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Heb.%201%3A1%E2%80%934%3B%2012%3A25%E2%80%9329/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 1:1–4; 12:25–29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Because of that, there is no need for the charismatic gifts to authenticate the revelation. There is no new revelation being given today, so we should not expect to see the gifts of tongues, prophecy, or miracles. The foundation of the church has been laid in the work of the Apostles and prophets (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Eph.%202%3A19%E2%80%9321/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 2:19–21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Apostles and prophets are the means of special revelation, and once the foundation of the church was laid, these offices and any signs that authenticate them passed away.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In addition to this core biblical argument that the charismatic gifts do not continue today, note that historically, the mainstream Christian church has said that these gifts ended with the death of the last Apostles. Occasionally, orthodox Christian writers in earlier eras spoke of prophecy as continuing, but by this they usually meant what we call preaching—the exposition of Scripture—and not the delivery of new revelation. Groups that have claimed that the charismatic gifts continue, such as the Montanists in the early church, usually have also held to aberrant theology. Not all modern Pentecostal and charismatic Christians have heterodox or heretical beliefs to the degree that groups from the past had, but the historical association of aberrant theology and the continuation of charismatic gifts should give one pause before accepting that these gifts continue.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yes, the Holy Spirit works today. But there are compelling biblical and historical reasons to believe that the gifts He gives to the church in our era do not include the gifts of tongues, prophecy, or healing and miracles. Other gifts of the Spirit listed in Scripture are still present. These gifts, along with the faithful teaching of the Word, prayer, administration of the sacraments, and exercise of church discipline, are the means through which the Holy Spirit ministers to His people today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-are-charismatic-gifts" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-are-charismatic-gifts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Oct 2022 17:41:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-4-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Georgia Tech Game Summary - 9/17/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-georgia-tech-game-summary-9-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/renz_douglas"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doug Renz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            9/17
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Georgia Tech Outreach on September 17th was a great day of preaching the gospel, with my brother Stirling Long and his wife Carol. We arrived approximately 12:15pm across the street on the corner across from Gate 10 and we had a great flow of students and parents that passed us by on the corner and crossed the street to the stadium. We plan to continue preaching at this location as it was crowded and we didn't have any issues with the Georgia Tech security. We had a few gospel conversations with a students who questioned why we were their during the game and not during the week. We spoke to one young lady who was a catholic and Stirling explained the issues with the Catholic church and how they don't preach the true Gospel of Jesus. I met another Christian who works at Georgia Tech in the college with sports students and ministers to them and he was supportive of us being there. I also spoke to another student who a believer, a junior studying engineering and attends a Church in Woodstock. Stirling and myself preached twice alternating between each other and preached until approximately 3:30 PM when the game started. We had quite a few people challenging us and one man carnying a 12 pack of beer while drinking arguing with Stirling while he was preaching. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here is also a link from Stirling Longs Instagram page. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CioBFeBLNQx43kkCNQiI6MlQDvwp7ZqPVimyMk0/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.instagram.com/p/CioBFeBLNQx43kkCNQiI6MlQDvwp7ZqPVimyMk0/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Georgia-Tech"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Georgia-Tech
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Oct 2022 03:31:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-georgia-tech-game-summary-9-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/game+summary+Doug+Renz+Georgia+Tech+9-17+SFOI+1000.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Colorado State University Game Summary - 9/24/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-colorado-state-university-game-summary-9-24-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/hegarty_pat"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pat Hegarty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            9/24 -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           092422 Summary Canvas Stadium - Patrick Hegarty and Larry Helmuth
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great day with good sized crowds. The weather was warm and sunny. Larry Helmuth and Pat Hegarty took turns preaching the Gospel from about 11am to 2pm. Many heard and several stopped to listen and interact with us for a time. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/Colorado-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/Colorado-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Oct 2022 03:17:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-colorado-state-university-game-summary-9-24-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/4+Colorado+State+University+Pat+Hegarty+9-24.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Colorado State University Game Summary - 9/10/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-colorado-state-university-game-summary-9-10-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/hegarty_pat"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pat Hegarty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9/10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - A few photos and videos of the event. Both Larry Helmuth and I preached. Larry is pictured preaching to the crowds.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/Colorado-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/Colorado-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Oct 2022 03:13:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-colorado-state-university-game-summary-9-10-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/game+summary+Colorado+State+University+Pat+Hegarty+9-10.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 10-3-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-3-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 10-3-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come to Your Tempted Savior
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He himself has suffered when tempted.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Hebrews%202:18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hebrews 2:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is a common thought, and yet it tastes like honey to the weary heart—Jesus was tempted as I am. You have heard that truth many times, but have you grasped it? He was tempted by the very same sins into which we fall. Do not separate Jesus from our common humanity. If you are going through a dark room, remember Jesus went through it before you. If you are engaged in a sore fight, remember that Jesus has stood foot to foot with the same enemy. Let us be encouraged—Christ has borne the load before us, and the blood-stained footsteps of the King of glory can be seen along the road that we travel at this hour.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is something sweeter yet—Jesus was tempted, but Jesus never sinned. My soul, it is not necessary for you to sin, for Jesus was a man, and if one man endured these temptations without sin, then in His power His followers may also flee from sin. Some new believers think that they cannot be tempted without sinning, but they are mistaken; there is no sin in being tempted, but there is sin in yielding to temptation. Here is comfort for those who are greatly tempted. There is still more to encourage them if they recall that the Lord Jesus, though tempted, gloriously triumphed; and as He overcame, so may His followers also, for Jesus is the representative man for His people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Head has triumphed, and the members share in the victory. Fears are unnecessary, for Christ is with us, armed for our defense. Our place of safety is the embrace of the Savior. Perhaps we are tempted just now in order to drive us nearer to Him. Blessed be any wind that blows us into the harbor of our Savior's love! Happy the wounds that make us seek the beloved Physician. Tempted ones, come to your tempted Savior, for He can sympathize with your weaknesses and will comfort every tried and tempted one.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/03/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/10/03/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 Oct 2022 19:04:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-10-3-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Texas Game Summary - 9/17/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-texas-game-summary-9-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/nieves_francisco"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francisco Nieves
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Texas Outreach Ministry Report
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By Francisco Nieves
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           09/17/2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In a much-anticipated matchup, the University of Texas Longhorns faced their sister school, the University of Texas Road Runners out of San Antonio. San Antonio is only about an hour and a half from Austin and as you would expect a lot of the fans traveled the short distance to watch the game in person. For us, this meant very large crowds of both Longhorn and Road Runner fans. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We arrived at Darrell K Royal Stadium about three hours before game time. I was joined by my good friend Tom McLaughlin and two of my daughters, Reyna and Adrianna. Tom and I set up as always on the corner of Trinity Ave and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. We immediately began open air preaching. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tom had prepared what he called a “stop-light” sermon, which was a short sermon about three-minutes long, that was saturated with scripture and presented the gospel in a very clear and concise manner. The goal was to preach the same message repeatedly whenever the traffic light turned green so that the crowds that were heading towards us could hear the entire message. It was a great strategy. Multitudes heard a clear and concise gospel presentation as they walked past us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I had the privilege of preaching two messages, one from Luke 18:9-14-The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, and another from 2 Corinthians 5:20-21-The Great Exchange. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As always, the response to our message varied. There were some Christians among the crowd that were of great encouragement to us. I even got a few fist-bumps while I was standing on the stepladder. However, there were many that were opposed to the message. One individual even went to law enforcement and complained about us, so we had to stop preaching for a few minutes while we sorted out the issues with them. However, since we had done nothing wrong, the police officer allowed us to continue preaching without hinderance. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We also ran into our friend the pedicab driver once again. He is always ready to give us the one finger salute and yell out some not-so-encouraging words to us. I ask that you please continue to pray for him. May the Lord bless his soul and grant him repentance and faith. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Overall, we had a great time. One of our Friend’s daughters blessed us with some free parking passes to the game. Normally we must pay 25 dollars for parking every time we go to these outreaches. What was even cooler, is that the parking garage was right across the street from where we normally set up. It truly a blessing. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please continue to pray for us. There is no home game next week, so our next update will not be for another two weeks. God bless!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Texas"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Texas
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 01 Oct 2022 05:33:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-texas-game-summary-9-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/game+summary+University+of+Texas+Francisco+Nieves+9-17.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Alabama Game Summary - 9/17/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-alabama-game-summary-9-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/sullivan_larry"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Larry Sullivan
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9-17 vs ULM
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Larry Sullivan Video.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Alabama"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Alabama
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 01 Oct 2022 05:21:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-alabama-game-summary-9-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Larry+Sullivan+University+of+Alabama+9-17.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Alabama Game Summary - 9/3/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-alabama-game-summary-9-3-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/sullivan_larry"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Larry Sullivan
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9-3 vs Utah State
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Video with Larry and James Connor.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Alabama"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Alabama
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 01 Oct 2022 05:12:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-alabama-game-summary-9-3-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Larry+Sullivan+University+of+Alabama+SFOI+1000+9-3-22.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Bakersfield College Renegade Game Summary - 9/24/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-bakersfield-college-renegade-game-summary-9-24-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/collins_gerry"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry Collins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9/24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - I was at the stadium for the home game on Saturday evening September 24th. It went well as I prayed prior to the event for more conversations. I was able to pass out only about 100 tracts and but I had 4 or 5 gospel conversations. It’s a small venue now with me starting to be recognized maybe not as many taking tracts. I felt the Lord was with me and am thankful the truth was shared. It was a blessed night.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gerry+Collins+SFOI+1000+Game+Summaries.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/BakersfieldCollegeRenegade"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/BakersfieldCollegeRenegade
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 01 Oct 2022 05:03:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-bakersfield-college-renegade-game-summary-9-24-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gerry+Collins+SFOI+1000+Game+Summaries.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Bakersfield College Renegade Game Summary - 9/17/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-bakersfield-college-renegade-game-summary-9-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/collins_gerry"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry Collins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9/17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Picture from today's Outreach. This week some didn’t take tracks saying they received tracts from the prior week. The location really is low key and not attended by large crowds in a location that would not allow for open air preaching. I passed out 170 tracts!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gerry+Collins+Bakersfield+College+SFOI+1000+9-17.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/BakersfieldCollegeRenegade"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/BakersfieldCollegeRenegade
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 01 Oct 2022 04:38:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-bakersfield-college-renegade-game-summary-9-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/game+summary+Gerry+Collins+Bakersfield+College+SFOI+1000+9-17.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Bakersfield College Renegade Game Summary - 9/3/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-bakersfield-college-renegade-game-summary-9-3-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/collins_gerry"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry Collins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            9/3
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Outreach went well. I'm now becoming known by the authorities at the games and also the fans. I passed out about 250 tracts!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/BakersfieldCollegeRenegade"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/BakersfieldCollegeRenegade
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 01 Oct 2022 04:28:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-bakersfield-college-renegade-game-summary-9-3-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/game+summary+Gerry+Collins+Bakersfield+College+SFOI+1000+9-3.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 North Carolina State University Game Summary - 9/24/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-north-carolina-state-university-game-summary-9-24-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/waltz_tommy"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tommy Waltz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9/24 - Report from Joseph Toy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had eight men at the NC State football game this past Saturday on September 24. Over 500 gospel tracts passed out. We had a number of good conversations at the end of our outreach while packing up. Zack Braddy and son, Bryan Braddy, Paul Infranco, Peter Firth, Kevin Creasy and Steph Morris all assisted.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/North-Carolina-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/North-Carolina-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 01 Oct 2022 00:10:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-north-carolina-state-university-game-summary-9-24-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/7+North+Carolina+State+University+Tommy+Waltz+9-24+SFOI+1000.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 North Carolina State University Game Summary - 9/17/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-north-carolina-state-university-game-summary-9-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/waltz_tommy"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tommy Waltz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9/17 - Report from Joseph Toy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many hear the gospel at the NC State game today. We had a team of five men preaching at the NC State football game this past weekend. We passed out about 600 gospel tracts and had a few conversations. The team members consisted of Kevin Creasy, Peter Firth, Daniel Springs, Joseph Toy and Michael Seethaler.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/North-Carolina-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/North-Carolina-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 01 Oct 2022 00:04:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-north-carolina-state-university-game-summary-9-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/3+Tommy+Waltz+North+Carolina+State+University+SFOI+1000+Gospel+of+God+Ministries+9-17.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 North Carolina State University Game Summary - 9/10/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-north-carolina-state-university-game-summary-9-10-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/waltz_tommy"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tommy Waltz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9/10 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Report from Joseph Toy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great outreach at NC State football game. Lots of tracts went out and a few gospel conversations. Preached for three hours. Passed out 500 gospel Tracts. Had a few gospel conversation. Team of five men. Paul Infranco, Daniel Springs, Darrel Davis, Bryan Brady and Joseph Toy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/North-Carolina-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/North-Carolina-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 30 Sep 2022 23:50:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-north-carolina-state-university-game-summary-9-10-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/3+North+Carolina+State+University+Tommy+Waltz+9-10+SFOI+1000.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Minnesota Vikings Game Summary - 9/11/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-minnesota-vikings-game-summary-9-11-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/schank_bill"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Schank
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9/11 - Praise The LORD, @ the Minnesota Vikings game last Sunday: there was Brother's David Miller, Paul, Ethan and myself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Paul Preaching The Gospel outside of US Bank Stadium at the Minnesota Vikings game. Please Pray for our Team. Brother's David, Ethan and I.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/minnesota-vikings"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/minnesota-vikings
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 30 Sep 2022 04:58:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-minnesota-vikings-game-summary-9-11-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Game+Summary+Minnesota+Vikings+Bill+Schank+9-11.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Georgia Game Summary - 9/24/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-georgia-game-summary-9-24-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/burt_alex"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kent St vs UGA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, Sept 24, 2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It felt like fall when Rich and I arrived at Sanford Stadium on Saturday. Even though it was supposed to be an easy win the fans turned out in pretty large numbers. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rich preached first as I offered tracts to passing fans. After about 45 minutes or so I preached as Rich passed out tracts. We had a lot of fellow believers stop by with encouraging words. One man and his children came up as I was preaching and listened until I was finished, amening the preaching. I had my own "amen corner" for a while. Several others came by offering encouraging words for Rich and I. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a great outreach with thousands of fans being touched by the Gospel and many encouraging the preachers. Rich asked me, before we started, if I ever felt like I was in a circus. I said, "like the freaks in a freak show?" And we agreed that we did. It was after that conversation that God continually sent His people to encourage us, making us feel like a little less of a freak show. :) We understand totally that we will look foolish to the world and we're fine with that, but it is amazing how God will send us encouraging words through His people.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until All Hear!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Georgia"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Georgia
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 30 Sep 2022 04:42:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-georgia-game-summary-9-24-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Alex2_+Alex+Burt+University+of+Georgia+SFOI+1000+9-24.JPG">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Georgia Game Summary - 9/10/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-georgia-game-summary-9-10-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/burt_alex"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Samford vs UGA
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday, Sept 10, 2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rich Suplita, Scott Phillips, and I were at Sanford Stadium today for the first UGA home game. We arrived about 3 hours before kick-off, as usual, and set up. The tuba section came out and played, which is usually our sign to begin preaching. This year they added another horn section that came out and played for a while, cutting into our preaching time. J
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Scott began preaching as Rich and I passed out Gospel tracts. The crowd was steady all day but of course, thickened as kick-off time neared. Thousands of people were exposed to the Gospel. I say exposed because I have no way of knowing how many heard the complete Gospel message. All we know for sure is that many did and thousands had the opportunity to. After Scott, Rich preached and then I closed out the day, ending around 4:00 PM
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I saw several people stop and listen to the preaching and there are always those lurking in the shadows listening that we do not see. Several people came by with encouraging words. As Rich was preaching a young boy came over and gave him a high-five. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Rich+and+Boy_Alex+Burt+University+of+Georgia+SFOI+1000+9-10.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Also when Rich was preaching an older gentleman came up to me and asked me to tell Rich to keep on going and encouraged us for being there. It is always nice when God sends his saints to encourage the preachers. We had a few come by with mocking actions and words but overall it was a friendly crowd today. A lot of tracts were given out as well.
            &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was good to be back at Sanford!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Georgia"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Georgia
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 30 Sep 2022 00:23:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-georgia-game-summary-9-10-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Alex+Burt+SFOI+1000+Game+Summaries.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-29-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-29-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-29-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Law and Gospel Done
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is an excerpt from chapter 4 of “Let the Bird Fly: Life in a World Given Back to Us” written by Wade Johnston (1517 Publishing, 2019).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sometimes students come to me and it’s different than the normal visits. They’re not coming for help with research or a question about an assignment. They’re lost, or getting there quickly. They come to me, and I think they fully expect me to be shocked by what they tell me they are struggling with, whether lately or for long as they can remember. Such moments take me back to the parish, when, whenever someone would come in with that look in their eyes, I’d assure them, “Don’t worry, yours is not the first sin to come through the door today, and it’s not the worst. Mine was, and mine is, because mine is what will take me to hell.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sometimes students come and they’re scared—not of me, but of God’s judgment. They’re desperate. At such times they tend to confess. They often confess with great shame that they’re struggling with sin and frequently, specifically with a sin that they’re convinced is on the brink of unseating their true identity as a baptized child of God—as if God were not greater than our hearts!2 Tears welling up in their eyes, they tell me they’re angry with God, because they’re knee-deep in temptation and do not think they can take anymore. Yet, it keeps coming. My reply? “Praise God!” You see, they’re sure their struggle is evidence they are losing their faith. They say as much. On the contrary, I’m confident it is proof their faith is alive and well, wrestling, clinging to Christ even as their heart is eager to chase rabbits. I usually suggest they go ahead and let God have it, that He can take it, but in the end I’m sure He has no intention of letting go. He certainly is not an angry God in such moments but one of mercy, although His face seems hidden. He is God in Christ our Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do me a favor. Take a break and read 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Romans%207/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            aloud. And don’t be a know-it-all. Listen to it like a sinner struggling with sin—and if you have to work too hard to do that, perhaps you should stop in to see a pastor! Isn’t it striking that St. Paul, the great Christian missionary, had such a daily struggle that he had not moved beyond it, that every hour was baptismal, dying and rising, buried and raised. Did you know that some argue that this couldn’t possibly be Paul talking about himself in the present? They say he must be talking about his past or some hypothetical believer with weak faith or someone else, but certainly not himself as he is in the moment. Why? They see the Christian life on a spectrum, and they simply cannot imagine Paul wouldn’t have moved beyond such struggles by this point. But here we meet Paul, honest as can be, making his struggle plain, painfully clear, and we know it all too well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isn’t it striking that St. Paul, the great Christian missionary, had such a daily struggle that he had not moved beyond it, that every hour was baptismal, dying and rising, buried and raised.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Reformation was to a great extent a crisis of preaching—both a response to the lack of it and its abysmal content. Christ’s presence had become associated almost exclusively with the sacrament, which itself was hedged by the law. The task of the homily, when there was one, was often didactic, instruction from the law, Christ as Exemplar and Judge. A ladder was presented, not for God to descend but for man to climb. The homily provided a tape measure and a rod, a carrot and a stick. Sadly, this is a crisis from which the Christian church has never quite emerged despite Luther and the reformers’ efforts. There is nothing to say we cannot kick against the goads in a godly way, though.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That leads us to the completely unoriginal and hopefully completely uncontroversial thesis of this chapter: preaching is a means of grace. I pray this strikes your ears as a quite boring assertion, a given, something about which little need be said. I pray so. But even if it does, perhaps it presents an assessment tool, not only for what we think preaching to be, but for what we actually do when we preach, for how, why, and what we preach…The ultimate measure of our preaching, if preaching is a means of grace, becomes nothing more and nothing less than the presence of Christ as Savior, as Mediator of a new covenant, as He who saves, He who saves sinners, of whom we are chief. [3] The chief (not the only, but certainly the chief) work of the law, then, is as mirror and pedagogue, exposing our need and driving us to Christ, who alone can rescue, enliven, redeem.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If preaching is a means of grace (thesis!)—and in case I’ve not made it plain yet, it is—then preaching isn’t a lot of other things, at least not primarily. In what follows, we’ll examine what preaching is not, if it is a means of grace, and then return to what it is. In so doing, I pray we’ll all find plenty of which to repent and, at the same time, new life and living hope, for the same Jesus we are called to preach is Jesus for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The ultimate measure of our preaching, if preaching is a means of grace, becomes nothing more and nothing less than the presence of Christ as Savior, as Mediator of a new covenant, as He who saves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sometimes when my boys get a little precocious and need to listen, I take them by the ear. My mother and father did the same to me. Their parents did likewise. This is what God does with preaching, too. He takes us by the ear, and as the Father told Peter at the Transfiguration, He says, “Listen to Jesus.” [4] God does this especially with the gospel. He wants the word of Christ heard. He wants the good news to sink in, because it doesn’t come naturally to us. Paul reminds us, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” [5]
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God certainly does this with the law as well. God wants us to hear it. Law comes naturally to us, however. Perhaps its not God’s law in particular always, but law nonetheless. We make our own when we don’t like his, after all. Every people has its own laws. Even when we throw out God’s law or old laws, we still come up with new ones; in fact, we multiply them. No man is truly immoral, that is, without morality. (Even Nietzsche was not, try as he did.) No, they simply trade one morality for another. And so God especially takes us by the ear when it comes to the gospel. He wants us to listen, because in listening is life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So if listening is life, and life is of the gospel, not the law, what does that mean for preaching? What is it not, at least not primarily? I can’t cover everything, and what I get to I will get to with different levels of engagement, but preaching is not (certainly not primarily) a mere passing on of information (a Jesus of my imagination); it isn’t therapy (Jesus simply as a better way) or persuasion (playing to the pews); and it isn’t a shot in the arm (Jesus as spiritual meth) or moral reform (the old man gets religion). No, preaching is a means of grace and not any of these things (certainly not primarily) or it’s any or even one of these things and not a means of grace. Each of these propositions could be a book in and of itself, but I pray that, at the very least, their short treatment here will prove a springboard for further reflection and fraternal discussion. Such reflection and discussion, after all, ought to be part and parcel of our vocations as preachers or hearers of the word. The German text of Article V of the Augsburg Confessions says it well, “To obtain such faith God instituted the office of preaching, giving the gospel and the sacraments.”6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus is more than a set of facts or mere information to get into people’s heads. Luther writes, “For the preaching of the gospel is nothing else than Christ coming to us, or we being brought to him.” [7] He explains, “True faith with arms outstretched joyfully embraces the Son of God given for it and says, ‘He is my beloved and I am his.’” [8] Christ is not an idea. He isn’t a concept. He isn’t a religious notion or sentiment. He isn’t a product. He is the Savior, flesh and blood, named Jesus, born of Mary, seated at the right hand of God, knee-deep in our baptism, acquitting sinners through the preached word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Samaritan woman at the well learned this lesson. [9] She met the Word made flesh in person, and it made her uncomfortable. So what did she do? She turned the conversation to information, to theology. But Jesus would have none of it. He was standing right there. He wasn’t something about which to speculate. He was him. And he wasn’t doing theology in that moment. He was preaching. And when the woman realized this, her life changed, her shame disappeared, and she became an evangelist, a walking testament to grace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ isn’t only a person. He is a person who is for me. This was the crux of the Reformation. Christ is for us, for me. What a marvel! Christ isn’t only for some people; He is for you and for me. Luther made clear that those are some of the most important words in the gospels. Those words are the basis of our preaching and the sacraments.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           This chapter is slightly revised from an article originally published in Logia: A Journal of Lutheran Theology 27, no. 2 (2018): 27–31. Thank you to Logia for allowing it to be republished as part of this book.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is an excerpt from chapter 4 of “Let the Bird Fly: Life in a World Given Back to Us” written by Wade Johnston (1517 Publishing, 2019). Pgs. 33-37.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/law-and-gospel-done" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/law-and-gospel-done
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Sep 2022 15:06:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-29-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-28-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-28-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-28-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Simply Doing Our Duty...?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you want to be known and celebrated these days you need to ensure that the cameras are focused on you and that you are looking directly into them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This focus on self stands in stark contrast to the best traditions of British royalty. In theory Royalty exists, not to promote themselves but the interests of others. The Royals don’t look into the camera: the cameras follow them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Humility is the theme in an often-overlooked parable recorded in Luke chapter 17, verses 7 – 10. Having just spoken about genuine faith amongst would-be followers, Jesus contrasts the role of a master and servant, warning against pride.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Building on a common theme in the first-century Middle East, he uses the typical pattern of a master-servant relationship to illustrate the relationship between God and his people. It is a scene that will seem unfair to anyone who lives in a society that prizes egalitarianism and freedom, for the parable portrays acceptance of authority and respectful obedience to that authority.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, the late Kenneth Bailey who spent many years in the Middle-East, comments that we need to be aware of ‘the security that this classical relationship provides for the servant, and the sense of worth and meaning that is deeply felt on the part of a servant who serves a great man. These qualities of meaning, worth, security, and relationship are often tragically missing from the life of the… worker today… The servant offers loyalty, obedience, and a great deal of hard work, but with an authentic Middle Eastern nobleman the benefits mentioned above are enormous’ (Through Peasant Eyes: p.119f).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus asks, “Who among you who has a servant ploughing or keeping sheep will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table?” (17:7) He expects the answer, ‘No one’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Will he not rather say to him,” Jesus continues, “‘Prepare supper for me, … and afterward you will eat and drink?’” (17:8) Commentators have noted that the meal envisaged here is not late at night. More likely it would have been at three or four o’clock in the afternoon. The master isn’t a bully, demanding harsh and unfair hours of his servant.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The parable is asking the question, ‘Does the master provide special privileges to a servant who does his/her duties?’ To which the answer is ‘No’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus uses the parable to draw our attention to the nature of the relationship between himself and his followers – which we also find in other places. In John 15:15 for example, Jesus calls his disciples friends but then qualifies this by noting that the servant is not greater than his master (John 15:20).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nowhere in the Bible do we find a casual egalitarianism between God and his people that is envisaged in some Christian circles today. God alone is God. And Christ is our Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Verse 9 presses the application. Using a form of question similar to that in verse 7, Jesus asks, “Does he thank the servant…?” – again expecting the answer ‘No’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus doesn’t use the usual Greek word for thank (eucharisteo). Rather he uses the word charis – meaning grace/favor. Literally he is asking: ‘Does he (the master) have any grace/favor for the servant?’ This is significant, for the theme of grace or favor is dominant throughout the Bible, and not least in the New Testament.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For example, in Luke chapter 1, verse 30 we learn that Mary was told by the angel that she had found favor with God. This doesn’t mean that Mary had won favor with God because of some special action that deserved merit. Rather, the context reveals she was given a gift that was far too great to have been earned. God, of his own initiative had granted her a favor, purely as a gift.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More than just thanks. Here in Luke chapter 17, verse 9 the question is even deeper, for it is asking if the servant now deserves more than just ‘thanks’ for a day’s work well done. Is the master now indebted to his servant? Is his work now worthy of merit – grace/favor? This is the central question the parable addresses. To which the answer is ‘No’: the servant has simply done what he was required to do. He has no grounds for claiming special favor.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The point is wrapped up in the final comment: “So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless servants; we have done only what we ought to have done!’” (17:10)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The original word translated worthless is difficult to express in English. Indeed, in his book Through Peasant Eyes (p.123f), Kenneth Bailey suggests that we need to review how the word has been translated in Middle Eastern contexts. Following the 11th century Syriac and Arabic versions we can better translate verse 10: “We are servants to whom nothing is owing, we have only done our duty.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is truly significant. It underlines yet again a theme Jesus develops: salvation is a gift. It is not merited in any way, shape or form. It anticipates his words about the purpose of his coming – to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The parable challenges everyone of us who has turned to Jesus and become his follower. We are not employees who can expect payment or honor. Rather we are servants of a master, in a very positive sense, who has committed himself to be completely responsible for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We enjoy the benefits of his security as we work in his service from a sense of loyalty and obligation. We don’t work expecting great rewards: we are simply doing our duty.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Lord God, you declare your mighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: grant us such a measure of your grace so that, running in the way of your commandments, we may obtain your promises and share in your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to the hymn, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHuLOdZdqs8" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           For the Cause from Keith and Kristyn Getty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/simply-doing-our-duty/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/simply-doing-our-duty/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Sep 2022 15:04:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-28-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-27-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-27-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-27-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is Total Depravity?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The fundamental problem of the human race lies not outside of man, but inside of man. In a word, this problem is sin. What is sin? Sin is any lack of conformity to the holiness of God. Sin is any transgression of the law of God. Sin is falling short of the glory of God. Sin is going astray from the will of God. This is man’s greatest problem.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To grasp the magnitude of what is wrong with everyone and everything in our world, we must understand the magnitude of sin. This necessitates that we are well-taught in three major doctrines: the doctrine of original sin, the doctrine of total depravity, and the doctrine of universal guilt. These three interrelated doctrines are addressed in the book of Romans.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The doctrine of original sin refers to the result of the first sin of Adam: spreading sin to the entire human race and death to all humanity. Referring to Adam, we read in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Romans%205%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 5:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man . . . ”. Adam was the channel, the passageway, by which sin entered into the world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not only was Adam’s sin imputed to all his descendants, but the sin nature of Adam is transmitted to us in the moment of conception. Since the fall, it has been passed down from parent to child, and we have all inherited that sin nature. The doctrine of total depravity does not mean that all humankind is as evil as it possibly could be. Rather, it means that sin affects the whole person. We are born corrupted, poisoned, and polluted by sin. Our minds are darkened and we cannot see or understand the truth. Our hearts are defiled so that they do not love the truth. We love what we should hate, and we hate what we should love. Our wills are in bondage to sin, and we cannot believe the gospel in and of themselves. We sin because we are sinners and because we have a sin nature.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The fundamental problem of the human race lies not outside of man, but inside of man.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The doctrine of universal guilt is displayed in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Romans%203%3A23/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 3:23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . The Apostle Paul says, “For all have sinned.” This means that apart from Jesus, every person, in every place, in every generation has sinned. Further, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Romans%206%3A23/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 6:23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            says, “The wages of sin is death.” This death sentence hangs over the entire human race. The entire human race is perishing. The entire human race is on the broad path headed for destruction. The entire human race is rightly and justly the object of God’s holy wrath, subject to the unleashing of the fury of His vengeance in the final judgment. This is the devastating state of the human race and the condition of the fallen world in which we live.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And so, the question is, is there any hope? Yes. The Scriptures foretold that One would come who would be the second Adam. This second Adam came into this world, was born of a virgin, born under the law. And where the first Adam disobeyed by eating of the forbidden fruit, the second Adam obeyed God at every point. He was tempted in all points as we are, yet He did not sin. In His sinless life and His substitutionary death on the cross, Jesus Christ satisfied the vengeance of God toward those for whom He died, His people. In His death, He bought us with His blood. Further, with that death He set us free from our tyranny to sin, and He reconciled to the Father all those for whom He died. He has established peace between God and those for whom He died, and He shed His blood to wash away all of their sins and to reverse the curse.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And there upon the cross, Jesus Christ, in giving His life unto the death, shedding His blood to make the only atonement for our sins, has purged the guilt of sin from us, and He has clothed us with His perfect righteousness. We now are presented before the throne of grace, and we receive full and perfect acceptance with God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we take away the doctrine of total depravity in all of its fullness, we diminish the glory of the cross. But when we see the darkness of sin and the depravity of the human soul, we can hear the gospel of Jesus Christ: that He came into this world to save sinners. And we rejoice that God would have grace and mercy on hell-bound sinners like us and praise Him for His grace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-is-total-depravity" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-is-total-depravity
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Sep 2022 15:03:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-27-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-26-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-26-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-26-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be Ready
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Zechariah%2011:2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Zechariah 11:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When in the forest there is heard the crash of a falling oak, it is a sign that the woodman is around, and every tree in the whole company may tremble lest tomorrow the sharp edge of the axe should find it out. We are all like trees marked for the axe, and the fall of one should remind us that for every one, whether as great as the cedar or as humble as the cypress, the appointed hour is fast approaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I trust we do not, by often hearing of death, become callous to it. May we never be like the birds in the steeple, which build their nests when the bells are tolling and sleep quietly when the solemn funeral peals are startling the air. May we regard death as the most serious of all events and be sobered by its approach. It ill behooves us to play while our eternal destiny hangs on a thread. The sword is out of its sheath—let us not trifle; it is ready, and the edge is sharp—let us not play with it. He who does not prepare for death is more than an ordinary fool—he is a madman. When the voice of God is heard among the trees of the garden, let fig tree and sycamore and elm and cedar all hear the sound.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be ready, servant of Christ, for your Master comes suddenly, when an ungodly world least expects Him. See to it that you are faithful in His work, for the grave shall soon be prepared for you. Be ready, parents, see to it that your children are brought up in the fear of God, for they will soon be orphans. Be ready, businessmen, make sure that your affairs are in order and that you serve God with all your hearts, for the days of your earthly service will soon be over, and you will be called to give account for the deeds done in the body, whether they are good or bad. May we all prepare for the tribunal of the great King with a care that will be rewarded with the gracious commendation, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Matthew 25:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/26/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/26/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 26 Sep 2022 18:19:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-26-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-23-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-23-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-23-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No "Ifs"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Mark%209:23/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 9:23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A certain man had a deeply troubled son who was afflicted with a spirit that struck him dumb. The father, having seen the futility of the attempts of the disciples to heal his child, had little or no faith in Christ. Therefore, when he was invited to bring his son to Him, he said to Jesus, “If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Now there was an “if” in the question, but the poor trembling father had put the “if” in the wrong place. Jesus Christ, therefore, without commanding him to retract the “if,” kindly puts it in its legitimate position. “Actually,” He seemed to say, “there should be no ‘if’ about My power, nor concerning My willingness; the ‘if’ lies somewhere else. If you can believe, ‘all things are possible for one who believes.’”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The man's trust was strengthened; he offered a humble prayer for an increase of faith, and instantly Jesus spoke the word, and the devil was cast out, with an injunction never to return. There is a lesson here that we need to learn. We, like this man, often see that there is an “if” somewhere, but we are continually blundering by putting it in the wrong place. “If Jesus can help me”; “if He can give me grace to overcome temptation”; “if He can grant me pardon”; “if He can make me successful.” No; if you can believe, He both can and will. You have misplaced your “if.” If you can confidently trust, even as all things are possible to Christ, so will all things be possible to you. Faith stands in God's power and is robed in God's majesty; it wears the royal apparel and rides on the King's horse, for it is the grace that the King delights to honor. Girding itself with the glorious might of the all-working Spirit, it becomes, in the omnipotence of God, mighty to do, to dare, and to suffer. All things, without limit, are possible to one who believes. My soul, can you believe your Lord tonight?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/23/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/23/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 23 Sep 2022 16:44:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-23-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-22-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-22-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-22-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luther's September Testament
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In September 1522, one of the most important events of the Reformation occurred: Martin Luther’s translation of the New Testament was published. It came to be known as the “September Testament,” and looking back 500 years later, we can see that it not only shaped the reformers’ theology but also was as big an influence on the German language as Shakespeare was for English.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Following his appearance at the Diet of Worms and the subsequent imperial edict that banned his writings and the reformer himself, Luther went into hiding at the Wartburg Castle in the spring of 1521. This development shifted Luther’s life of frenetic activity and constant defensive maneuvers to a solitary life with neither monastic schedule nor regular conversations with friends and colleagues. Luther needed at least a resemblance of activity and immediately kept up regular correspondence with people back home in Wittenberg.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luther complained to his friends about not being busy. To Georg Spalatin, he wrote, “I am sitting here all day, drunk with leisure.” But thanks to the reduced external demands, Luther’s months in exile at the Wartburg were extremely productive. While he experienced worse bouts of constipation than he’d had at home, we could say he indeed let it flow from the nib of his quill. Within three weeks of his arrival at the castle, he had already completed the manuscript of a book.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Before he was snatched away by “bandits” (in reality, some of his prince’s henchmen) who transferred him safely to the Wartburg, Luther successfully grabbed his satchel of books, including the Old and New Testaments in Hebrew and Greek. He didn’t have any philological help, but he told Spalatin he was regularly reading Scripture in the original languages. Midway through his stay, Luther did a surreptitious visit to Wittenberg and asked that he be sent a copy of Erasmus of Rotterdam’s newly published and more accurate Greek New Testament. With that in hand, Luther spent his last eleven weeks at the Wartburg translating the text to German.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Around two months after Luther’s return to Wittenberg on March 6, the initial pages of the translation came off the three presses that printer Melchior Lotter had dedicated to the hefty job. Those two months allowed the court artist Lucas Cranach to create initial illustrations for each of the twenty-seven books. (Luther at first was also unsure of whether all should be included on account of questions about the clarity of James or Revelation.) Of much greater importance was getting the languages right — both understanding the meaning of the Greek text and of landing on the best words and phrases to open the text in the vernacular for German readers. While the initial Wartburg translation was Luther’s, the final result came through the efforts of a wider Wittenberg circle.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The resulting “September Testament” was published in time for the Frankfurt Fair, the biannual publishing marketplace offering greater reach than Leipzig’s regional fair. It’s an understatement to say it was a bestseller. In response, Jerome Emser, the secretary to Duke George of Saxony, one of Luther’s most vituperative antagonists, produced his own New Testament translation, in part as a way to counter the unprecedented sales figures of Luther’s work.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luther’s goal in translating was to move from the letter to the spirit. He wanted readers of Scripture to encounter more than mere ink blots on paper.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was an age without copyright laws, so other publishers soon issued their own copies of Lotter’s edition. Emser’s translation not only aimed to grab the cash cow but also sought to pull attention away from the Wittenberg reformer. Although he claimed it fixed Luther’s errors and served as a “new” edition, it can be categorized as blatant plagiarism. It even included versions of Cranach’s full-page woodcuts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The testament Frankfurt fair-goers purchased included not only Cranach’s detailed illustrations but also prefaces Luther wrote for each book in the New Testament. These were intended as guides that would provide readers with a theological lens for entering the text. As Luther later wrote in his debate with Erasmus over free will, Scripture is perfectly clear…if you know what to look for. The prefaces taught the language and grammar of the gospel so that readers’ understanding could be guided. In other words, Luther was a spin doctor, but in the least pejorative sense. As he later said, in the translation he taught “my ungrateful pupils, even my enemies, how to speak.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The September Testament was not the first Bible translated into German (the full Bible would come several years and much greater labor later), but it did more than provide a literal word-for-word equivalence of previous editions. Those had Jerome’s Latin Vulgate translation as their source rather than the Greek text and passed down errors that came from misunderstanding the ancient language or from Jerome not having the best original fragments and manuscripts available to him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luther’s goal in translating was to move from the letter to the spirit. He wanted readers of Scripture to encounter more than mere ink blots on paper. For him, God’s word was a living word, but it wouldn’t come alive or have the power to create saving faith if it was in an incomprehensible language or if a translation didn’t accurately reflect the original text. In a way, Luther acted out Jesus’ words at the end of his string of “lost” parables in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Matthew%2013%3A52/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 13:52
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” The German word for “vocabulary” is “Wortschatz,” literally “word treasure.” The process of translating is one of dealing with both the old language and its new counterpart.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luther was a master translator and not very humble about his acumen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When Luther was holed up in another castle, the Coburg, during the Diet of Augsburg in 1530, he wrote: “On Translating: An Open Letter,” in which he explained how he aimed to bring out the gospel treasure in the text of the New Testament. The catalyst for the letter was the complaints his theological opponents, beginning with Emser, had continually made about his translation in the eight years since it had been published. The primary gripe was that Luther had added words in German that weren’t present in Greek.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luther was a master translator and not very humble about his acumen. In the “Open Letter,” he said, “If I were to have asked them how to put into German the first two words of Matthew’s Gospel, Liber Generationis, none of them would have been able to say Quack! And now they sit in judgment on my whole work!” Luther asserted that translation required the translator to understand that a word-for-word rendition in the new language was unacceptable, and he marshaled a litany of instances where the literal option would be gobbledegook for German ears.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The passage that Luther’s opponents most abhorred (and that many still object to today) was his rendering of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Romans%203%3A28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 3:28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , in which he included the word “alone” in Paul’s statement on justification by faith. He said they look at the four letters, S O L A, like cows staring at a new gate, as if they had never encountered the idea of faith alone before. But, he argued, “it belongs there if the translation is to be clear and vigorous. I wanted to speak German, not Latin or Greek.” While Latin and Greek implied justification was by faith alone, the structure of the German language required that it be made explicit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the “Open Letter,” Luther revealed his underlying goal in the September Testament and subsequent translations. “We do not have to inquire of the literal Latin, how we are to speak German… [W]e must inquire about this of the mother in the home, the children on the street, the common man in the marketplace. We must be guided by their language, the way they speak, and do our translating accordingly. That way they will understand it and recognize that we are speaking German to them.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The hundreds of printed pages from Lotter’s presses and countless others were such an accurate reflection of the German of the day that they cemented the language’s spelling and usage for the following centuries. What’s more, if the September Testament spoke the German of Luther’s people, it would be much more certain that Scripture would be a “for you” living word from God. For five hundred years, believers have experienced it as just that.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/luthers-september-testament" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/luthers-september-testament
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2022 13:53:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-22-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Arizona State Game Summary - 9/1/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-arizona-state-game-summary-9-1-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/redondo_matthew"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew Redondo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/game+summary+Matthew+Redondo+Arizona+State+SFOI+1000+9-1-22.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           September 1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Preached at the seasoner open for Arizona State University. Parked off campus and rode the light rail to the stadium. While on the light rail I was able to preach a little. Once we got to the stadium we set up at our usual spot at the south entrance. Mike Ford and I preached for almost a couple hours prior to the game until just after kickoff. The crowds were decent into the thousands. Had a number of hecklers but also some people who encouraged us. Was able to pass out some tracts and Gospels of Mark. Overall many heard the Gospel as they entered the stadium. One gentleman encouraged us saying that he has seen us out there for years and to keep up the good work. Praise the Lord!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/arizona-state"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/arizona-state
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2022 03:46:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-arizona-state-game-summary-9-1-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/game+summary+Matthew+Redondo+Arizona+State+SFOI+1000+9-1-22.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Illinois State University Game Summary - 9/10/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-illinois-state-university-game-summary-9-10-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/nelson_jacob"&gt;&#xD;
      
           J
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/nelson_jacob"&gt;&#xD;
      
           acob Nelson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/game+summary+Jacob+Nelson+Illinois+State+University+SFOI+1000-a8782b59.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9/10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - The Isu football game on Saturday was evangelized by a few faithful men on Saturday, September 10th. After setting up our signs and distributing Gospel literature on the sidewalk in front of the stadium, we were informed by campus police we could not use amplification without a permit. The conflict was quickly resolved as we set up the preacher across the street and continued to hand out tracts in a prime location. Some local street evangelists saw us ministering and decided to stop and add their efforts to the cause. Jesus Christ was made much of and the lost were called to turn to Him in faith!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Christ,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jacob
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Illinois-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Illinois-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2022 03:25:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-illinois-state-university-game-summary-9-10-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/game+summary+Jacob+Nelson+Illinois+State+University+SFOI+1000.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Cincinnati Bengals Game Summary - 9/11/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-cincinnati-bengals-game-summary-9-11-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/doerman_david"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave Doerman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Cincinnati+Bengals+David+Doerman+9-11-22+Video+SFOI+1000.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bengals 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9-11-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            video:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch it below:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelize Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We proclaim the gospel at sporting events around Cincinnati. And we do one-to-one witnessing at the University of Cincinnati. Check our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://evangelizecincinnati.com/evangelism-outreach-schedule/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelism Outreach Schedule 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           and join us as we Evangelize Cincinnati.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Cincinnati-Bengals"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Cincinnati-Bengals
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2022 03:11:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-cincinnati-bengals-game-summary-9-11-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Cincinnati+Bengals+David+Doerman+9-11-22+Video+SFOI+1000.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Cincinnati Game Summary - 9/10/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-cincinnati-game-summary-9-10-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/doerman_david"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave Doerman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Doerman+University+of+Cincinnati+SFOI+1000.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           UC Bearcats 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9-10-22 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Video
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch it below:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelize Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We proclaim the gospel at sporting events around Cincinnati. And we do one-to-one witnessing at the University of Cincinnati. Check our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://evangelizecincinnati.com/evangelism-outreach-schedule/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelism Outreach Schedule 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           and join us as we Evangelize Cincinnati.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Cincinnati"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2022 03:04:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-cincinnati-game-summary-9-10-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Doerman+University+of+Cincinnati+SFOI+1000.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-21-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-21-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-21-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Make Friends For Yourselves...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Money and what money can buy dominate our lives. The title of one book says it all: Born to Shop.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To follow up last Wednesday’s consideration of the Parable of the Dishonest Manager, we noted that the parable brings together several key biblical themes. The property owner in Luke chapter 16 is an honorable man. Confronted by a manager who is corrupt the owner justly dismisses him, but in his mercy does not have him immediately imprisoned. By his silence the manager admits his guilt.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A dark parable. However, perceiving the owner also to be merciful, the manager pursues a bold strategy that will rescue his future. But it is a strategy that is entirely dependent upon the mercy of the owner. It’s a dark parable about life and death issues – our corrupted character and the extraordinary goodness and beauty of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Which brings us to verses 9-13: ‘And I tell you’, said Jesus, make friends for yourselves by means of dishonest wealth, so that when it is gone they may welcome you into the eternal homes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The And I say… indicates a new subject that is linked back to the parable. Unlike the manager in the parable, the people to whom Jesus now speaks have financial resources. Instead of simply serving their own needs, they are in a position to assist others.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The theme of an existential crisis about the future continues, but this time it is in the context of Jesus’ followers. Jesus wants us all to consider our own future and how we should live in the light of it. In particular he wants us to think about how we might use our resources – our money and possessions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Luke chapter 12, verse 33 Jesus urges his followers to lay up treasure in heaven. Here in verse 9 he is saying, ‘win friends now so that they may welcome you into the eternal homes.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The they Jesus is speaking about, are people who have heard and responded to God’s good news because of the generosity of God’s people funding gospel ministries.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Life is short,’ Jesus is saying. ‘Ask yourself how you will use your material resources, for the time will come when you won’t need your money.’ It will happen when we die or when Jesus returns – whichever occurs first.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Costly Giving? Are you willing to use the resources you have at your disposal for the salvation of others – even those who in your view don’t deserve to be saved?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the dark parable of the Dishonest Manager, God uses his resources to pay the price of the rescue of fallen humanity. Now Jesus is asking, ‘Are you willing to use your resources sacrificially so that the unlovely and the unjust can come to know him as their Lord and Savior? If you do, the day will come when there will be a welcome cheer for you in heaven.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Don’t live for this world and its wealth. It is absurd to make money and possessions your life’s goal. Live for the world that is to come,’ Jesus is saying.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As now, so then. In verses 10-11 he illustrates his point by setting down a principle regarding faithfulness. To be found trustworthy in the small matters of life is a measure of trustworthiness in matters that are great. How we use money and possessions now is a measure of our fitness for the greater wealth of the kingdom of Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “And if you have not been faithful in what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own?” Jesus asks in v.12.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Worldly wealth is a temporary trust and a test of faithfulness. Entry into the coming kingdom is permanent wealth. Jesus is not an ascetic who sees the material world as evil. He knows money is temporary, but nevertheless useful stuff when properly used. He is also realistic for he knows how often the purse-strings control our heart-strings. He knows how easy it is to love money and the power it seems to give us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So he warns in verse 13: “No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The word hate was a common expression in Jesus’ day. It underlines the point that of two alternatives one is preferred over the other. There is no place for compromise. Jesus wants us to put him first.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus was speaking then to people living in the 1st century Roman society, but he might just as well be speaking to us today. The way we continue to consume goods is surely nothing short of idolatry. Our shopping malls look more and more like temples.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are many practical ways we can apply this principle:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Adopt the Scriptural pattern of percentage giving: ten percent is the guide.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Support the ministry of the local church as a first commitment. We may not always agree with all the policies of the church – no church is perfect – but if the Bible is being taught and the gospel proclaimed we should have no hesitation in supporting it financially; local churches are fundamental to building people into God’s kingdom.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Invest in the training of ministers: the future of the church depends on this.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Support mission in the wider world and include Christian ministries that care for the poor.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may also want to support the Anglican Connection – equipping and supporting church leaders in effective discipling and gospel ministry.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many of God’s people understand the lessons of Jesus’ words here – making generous donations in support Christian ministry at home and mission work overseas, or in supporting foundations for the relief of the poor.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus wants us to know that we are stewards, not owners of the resources we have. We should invest in the future laying up for ourselves, not treasures on earth, but in the home where we will live forever. Jesus is not saying we can buy our way there. Rather, in this instance, we are to enable others to hear the gospel by using our resources for ministry now.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The question he asks us is this: ‘Will you?’ It means trusting his promises about the future. It means trusting that the ministry of his Word will change lives forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer for the gospel. Lord Christ, eternal Word and Light of the Father’s glory: send your light and your truth so that we may both know and proclaim your word of life, to the glory of God the Father; for you now live and reign, God for all eternity. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to the hymn, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVpkR4gYTlg" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Across the Lands from Keith and Kristyn Getty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/make-friends-for-yourselves/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/make-friends-for-yourselves/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 21 Sep 2022 16:48:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-21-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-20-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-20-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-20-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reflections on the Evening
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At evening withhold not your hand.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Ecclesiastes%2011:6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ecclesiastes 11:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the evening of the day opportunities are plentiful: Men return from their work, and the zealous soul-winner finds time to share widely the love of Jesus. Do I have no evening work for Jesus? If I have not, let me no longer withhold my hand from a service that requires wholehearted endeavor. Sinners are perishing for lack of knowledge; he who loiters may find his shoes red with the blood of souls. Jesus gave both His hands to the nails. How can I keep back one of mine from His blessed work? Night and day He toiled and prayed for me. How can I give a single hour to the pampering of my body with luxurious ease? Up, lazy heart; stretch out your hand to work, or lift it up to pray. Heaven and hell are serious; so must I be, and this evening I should sow good seed for the Lord my God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The evening of life also has its calls. Life is so short that a morning of manhood's strength and an evening of decay make up the whole of it. To some it seems long, but a dollar is a great sum of money to a poor man. Life is so brief that no man can afford to lose a day. It has been well said that if a great king were to bring us a great heap of gold and bid us take as much as we could count in a day, we would make a long day of it; we would begin early in the morning, and in the evening we would not withhold our hand.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Winning souls is far nobler work; so how is it that we quit so soon? Some are spared to a long evening of green old age; if such is my case, let me use any talents I still retain and serve my blessed and faithful Lord to the final hour. By His grace I will die with my boots on and lay down my commission only when I lay down my body. Age may instruct the young, cheer the faint, and encourage the despondent. If evening has less stifling heat, it should have more calm wisdom; therefore in the evening I will not withhold my hand.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/20/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/20/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 20 Sep 2022 14:53:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-20-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Oklahoma Game Summary - 9/3/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-oklahoma-game-summary-9-3-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/hudson_kris"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kris Hudson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            &amp;amp;
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/galvan_shylo"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Shylo Galvan
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9/3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - The short story is that we had a few good spiritual conversations with people at the game. Many people took gospel tracts. Shylo and I had a long spiritual conversation with a guy named Adrian. Adrian had a military background and asked a lot of questions about truth and how we can know for certain that Christianity is true compared to other religions in the world. We shared the gospel to Adrian but he seemed to be all over the place. Pray that God would give him a listening heart. Shylo preached twice and I preached once. We had a couple of believers come by who said they were encouraged by our presence.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/university-of-oklahoma"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/university-of-oklahoma
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2022 19:42:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-oklahoma-game-summary-9-3-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/2+University+of+Oklahoma+Kris+Hudson-+Shylo+Galvan+SFOI+1000.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Georgia Tech Game Summary - 9/10/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-georgia-tech-game-summary-9-10-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/renz_douglas"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doug Renz
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            9/10
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - So we begin this Saturday with wet and rainy afternoon at the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Stadium. Preaching the Gospel the Good News to the amazement of students and many lookers. Stirling and Carl Long were also joining us at the corner of the Bobby Dodd Stadium outside Gate 10. We both took turns preaching for about 2 hours and passing out gospel tracts to passers by as well. We had some opposition with the Georgia Tech security guards asking us to move off the public sidewalk, but we kindly stood our ground and continued to proclaim the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. “Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Isaiah‬ ‭53:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Instagram Video from Stirling:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CiVwQRkJTmPe0tzTJwaZeGHh5JcLDzpokzxfzc0/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.instagram.com/reel/CiVwQRkJTmPe0tzTJwaZeGHh5JcLDzpokzxfzc0/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Georgia-Tech"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Georgia-Tech
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2022 18:34:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-georgia-tech-game-summary-9-10-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/6+Georgia+Tech+SFOI+1000+Doug+Renz+9-10.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-19-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-19-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-19-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Your Heartbeat or Your Weariness?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For this child I prayed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/1%20Samuel%201:27/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Samuel 1:27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Devout souls delight to reflect upon those mercies that they have obtained in answer to prayer, for they can see God's special love in them. When we can name our blessings Samuel—that is, “asked of God”—they will be as dear to us as this child was to Hannah. Peninnah had many children, but they came as common blessings unsought in prayer. Hannah's one heaven-given child was far more precious, because he was the fruit of sincere pleadings. How sweet was the water that Samson found at “the spring of him who called.”1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Did we pray for the conversion of our children? How doubly sweet, when they are saved, to see in them our own petitions answered! Better to rejoice over them as the fruit of our pleadings than as the fruit of our bodies. Have we asked the Lord for some choice spiritual gift? When it comes to us, it will be wrapped up in the golden cloth of God's faithfulness and truth and will be doubly precious. Have we sought success in the Lord’s work? How joyful is the prosperity that comes flying on the wings of prayer!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is always best to get blessings into our house in the legitimate way, by the door of prayer; then they are blessings indeed, and not temptations. Even when prayer is not speedy, the blessings grow all the richer on account of the delay; the child Jesus was all the more lovely in the eyes of Mary when she found Him after having searched for Him. What we gain by prayer we should dedicate to God, as Hannah dedicated Samuel. The gift came from heaven; let it go to heaven. Prayer brought it, gratitude sang over it—let devotion consecrate it. Here will be a special occasion for saying, “Of Your own I have given to You.” Reader, is prayer your heartbeat or your weariness? Which?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Judges 15:19, margin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/19/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/19/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2022 17:45:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-19-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Georgia Game Summary - 9/3/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-georgia-game-summary-9-3-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/burt_alex"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9/3 Ducks vs Dogs Chick-fil-a kickoff game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ducks+vs+Dogs+Chick-fil-a+kickoff+game.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Football season is back and in full swing. UGA's first game was not really a home game, but it was in Atlanta so it kind of was. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mike and I arrived around 12:40 and Stirling was already preaching as Carol held a sign. Bobby McCreery was also there with Hannah, Eden and Jeremiah
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/2+Ducks+vs+Dogs+Chick-fil-a+kickoff+game.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The crowd was consistent for the 3 plus hours we were there, only fading around 3:20, right before kick-off. After Stirling preached we had a bit of an interaction with law enforcement which eventually got sorted out. Well, until 2 other officers came over as Mike was preaching and told us that using an amp was a safety issue and they couldn't hear their radios. He said this while he had an earbud in his ear which was attached to his radio. &amp;#55358;&amp;#56692; We agreed to turn the volume down a little and had no further issues.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I preached after Stirling, followed by Mike and Bobby, with Stirling finishing off the day. Quite a few Gospel tracts were taken as well. Many fans heard the Gospel. As usual, we had a few hecklers and some encouragers as well. One fellow believer stopped and told me he knew a lot of Christians just walk on by and say nothing but he wanted us to know that he appreciated us being there.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hannah, Eden, and Jeremiah did a great job with Gospel tracts! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a great start to the season but I am looking forward to the next home game at our home stadium! #SanfordStadium
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Georgia"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Georgia
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2022 02:33:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-georgia-game-summary-9-3-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/2+Ducks+vs+Dogs+Chick-fil-a+kickoff+game.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Texas Game Summary - 9/10/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-texas-game-summary-9-10-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/nieves_francisco"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francisco Nieves
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Texas Outreach Ministry Report
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By Francisco Nieves
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           09/10/2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            What happens when the # 1 team in college football comes into town? It draws a record crowd. This weekend at the Texas versus Alabama game, we had the privilege of preaching to a record crowd of over 105,000 fans! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My friend David Santisteban and I took turns preaching in the open-air to the massive crowds. Jose Ortiz, a member of our church, also joined us and handed out quite a few tracts. I was highly encouraged by all the Christians who walked by and supported what we were doing. One of our greatest desires is to motivate the body of Christ to a greater commitment to the great commission. Please pray that the Lord of the Harvest would raise up more laborers!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Of course, any open-air evolution is not complete without its scoffers. We would ask you to pray for one particular individual who has heckled us for the past two weeks. He is a pedicab driver who blasphemes the name of Jesus every time that he drives by (Father forgive him for he knows not what he is doing). I pray that God will open up his eyes and grant him repentance and faith and that he will one day join us in proclaiming the gospel in that same street corner. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Texas"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Texas
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2022 02:16:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-texas-game-summary-9-10-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/8+University+of+Texas+Francisco+Nieves+SFOI+1000+9-10.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Texas Game Summary - 9/3/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-texas-game-summary-9-3-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/nieves_francisco"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Francisco Nieves
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           University of Texas Outreach Ministry Report
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By Francisco Nieves
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           09/3/2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Beloved, we had a great time proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ yesterday to the thousands of fans who attended the first home game of the season for the University of Texas football team. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was joined by Tom McLaughlin, David Santisteban, and Kurt Simms to do some open-air preaching, tract distribution, and to engage fans in gospel conversations. Needless to say, it was a great start to a new season of ministry.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We arrived about two hours before kick-off time and set up at the corner of Trinity Ave and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive (a natural choke point for fans entering the stadium). We left about an hour or so after the game had started. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While there, I preached from Psalm 19, David preached from the parable of the sower, and Tom preached from 1 Corinthians 1. The fans reacted to our preaching in a number of different ways. Some encouraged us with high-fives or “keep up the good work” statements, while others wagged their heads or even screamed obscenities at us. In all of this God was glorified! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           During these three hours, we handed out hundreds of gospel tracts. We pray that the Lord will use some of these to bring people to Himself. We also had the privilege of engaging in several gospel conversations. In one memorable instance, two individuals approached Kurt with a microphone and some recording equipment and asked him if he would be willing to be interviewed for their podcast. Kurt of course agreed and took this opportunity to proclaim the gospel to them and to the listeners of that podcast. Praise God for that opportunity. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In another instance, a black Hebrew Israelite approached us and started cussing at us. David took this opportunity to calm the man down and proclaim the gospel to him. We pray that God removes his heart of stone and gives him a heart of flesh. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I had the opportunity to speak to a young man, who was in his early twenties, and who was clearly inebriated. Surprisingly, as I spoke to him, he was able to articulate certain parts of the gospel (repentance, faith, crucifixion, resurrection, etc.). I pleaded with him to turn from his sins and to trust in Christ. As we spoke, tears began to run down his face. Please pray for this young man!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lastly, we had the opportunity to pray for one of the ticket scalpers that was hanging around the same area that we were in. He confessed to us that his marriage was in shambles and so we prayed for restoration. As we prayed for him, we proclaimed the gospel to him and asked him to be reconciled to God. Lord please hear our prayer!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Overall, it was a great day of ministry. God was greatly glorified through the preaching of His word. We ask that you please continue to pray for us as we continue to engage football fans.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Texas"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Texas
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2022 02:10:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-texas-game-summary-9-3-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/5+University+of+Texas+Outreach+Ministry+Report+By+Francisco+Nieves+09-3-2022.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 San Diego State University Game Summary - 9/3/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-san-diego-state-university-game-summary-9-3-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/block_dave"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave Block
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9/3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - Pics from Dave
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/San-Diego-State-University"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/San-Diego-State-University
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Sep 2022 02:00:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-san-diego-state-university-game-summary-9-3-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/3+Dave+Block+San+Diego+State+University+SFOI+1000+9-3.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Atlanta Falcons Game Summary - 9/11/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-atlanta-falcons-game-summary-9-11-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/long_stirling"&gt;&#xD;
      
           S
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/long_stirling"&gt;&#xD;
      
           tirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9/11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - Open Air Preaching at today’s rival NFL Game in Atlanta GA. “Some shout that Football is there god; but there is only one true God.” - His name is Jesus and you cannot serve two masters. “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew‬ ‭6:24‬ ‭ESV‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Atlanta-Falcons"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/Atlanta-Falcons
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sun, 18 Sep 2022 23:55:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-atlanta-falcons-game-summary-9-11-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long+Atlanta+Falcons+Outreach+9-11.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of South Carolina Football Game Summary - 9/3/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-south-carolina-football-game-summary-9-3-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/clark_jamie"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jamie Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9/3 - A few pics from the outreach yesterday at the USC game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Major crowds were on hand for the opening home game for the USC Gamecocks in Columbia, WC vs Georgia State. Five of us were on hand to make Christ know to the thousands in attempt through open air preaching. In addition, many Gospel tracts went out as well as many good one on one conversations. One young man, Carson, is standing on the edge of salvation. I gave him my contact info with the Hope of us getting tog for a meal and further one on one conversation. Please pray unceasingly for him. Pray for all who are lost who heard the Gospel. Pray also that the believers welho were present will be emboldened to make Christ known also. Give thanks, also, for continuing favor given us by law enforcement.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/UniversityofSC"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/UniversityofSC
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sun, 18 Sep 2022 23:46:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-south-carolina-football-game-summary-9-3-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/6+University+of+SC+Jamie+Clark+SFOI+1000.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-16-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-16-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-16-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More Rebellious than the Sea
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Am I the sea, or a sea monster, that you set a guard over me?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Job%207:12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Job 7:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was a strange question for Job to ask the Lord. He felt himself to be too insignificant to be so strictly watched and chastened, and he hoped that he was not so unruly as to need to be restrained. The inquiry was natural from one surrounded by such miseries, but after all, it is capable of a very humbling answer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is true that man is not the sea, but he is even more troublesome and unruly. The sea obediently respects its boundary, and it does not overleap the limit, even though it is just a belt of sand. Mighty as it is, it hears the divine “thus far,” and when raging with tempest it still respects the word. Self-willed man, however, defies heaven and oppresses earth, and there is no end to his rebellious rage. The sea, obedient to the moon, ebbs and flows with ceaseless regularity and so renders an active as well as a passive obedience; but man, restless beyond his sphere, sleeps within the lines of duty, lazy where he should be active. He neither comes nor goes at the divine command but sullenly prefers to do what he should not and to leave undone what is required of him. Every drop in the ocean, every beaded bubble, and every yeasty foam-flake, every shell and pebble, feel the power of law and yield or move at once.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If only our nature were but one thousandth as much conformed to the will of God! We call the sea fickle and false, but how constant it is! Since our fathers' days, and even before, the sea is where it was, beating on the same cliffs to the same tune. We know where to find it; it never hides, and its ceaseless pounding never fades; but where is man, fickle man? Can the wise man guess by what folly he will next be seduced from his obedience? We need more watching than the billowy sea and are far more rebellious. Lord, rule us for Your own glory. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/16/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/16/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 16 Sep 2022 18:40:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-16-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-15-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-15-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-15-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why Should I Forgive You?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why does the Lord so often ask his servants to go and find out information when he already knows everything? The investigation is never for the Lord. It is for the sake of his servants. Now Jeremiah joins the ranks of so many Old Testament individuals who were told to investigate for God. The Lord sends Jeremiah among the people to seek out the honest and the truthful. Fervently the prophet walked up and down Jerusalem’s corridors, searching through squares, speaking with women gathering water and striking up conversation with men conducting business.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Humanly speaking, these were still the good days of Jeremiah’s ministry. While he had been rejected by his family and hometown, Jerusalem had not yet turned against the prophet. Jeremiah could still walk unopposed through the city watching her people and listening to their public lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More hung in the balance than anyone knew. The Lord himself had told Jeremiah, “If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.” It did not take Jeremiah very long to find the impenitent, those people struck by the Lord only to make “their faces harder than stone.” These people had committed the ultimate sin: they had refused to repent.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeremiah thought the explanation lay in the demographics. “These are only the poor; they are the foolish, for they do not know the way of the Lord, the requirements of their God.” Yes, these people were foolish, but perhaps that was low-level ignorance. So Jeremiah goes to those who should know better. Those high-ranking officials could not hide behind ignorance. “But with one accord they too had broken off the yoke and torn off the bonds.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The refusal to repent transcended socioeconomic barriers. To borrow a scriptural axiom, the citizens of Jerusalem, from the king on the throne to the lowest slave girl, refused to repent. After his spiritual tour of the city even Jeremiah had to admit “their rebellion is great and their backslidings many.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The investigation had revealed a complete spiritual rebellion in Jerusalem. And it all led the Lord to ask a question no soul on earth would ever want to hear. In fact, this might be the most frightening question asked in all of Scripture: “Why should I forgive you?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jerusalem had no good answer. Of course, that did not stop God’s people from coming up with their own misguided solutions. Some thought they had forgiveness coming by virtue of the fact that they belonged to God’s chosen people. Others thought they did not even need forgiveness. Some, like the false prophets and wicked priests, thought their position precluded them from punishment.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jerusalem’s answers were all incorrect. So the Lord’s question remained: “Why should I forgive you?” At this point God listed the fruit of Jeremiah’s investigation of the people. Their children had sworn by other gods. The adults were committing adultery both spiritually and physically. Although they had been blessed by the Lord like “well-fed, lusty stallions” they acted like stubborn donkeys, refusing to acknowledge the true God who had given it all to them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Should I not punish them for this?” the Lord asks rhetorically. And punishment was coming. Once again the Lord reminds the people that the enemy from the north would succeed in burning through Jerusalem’s walls like a consuming fire. Harvests will be devoured, spelling disaster for God’s people. No fortified city will be able to save them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was all because the called workers of Jerusalem had completely failed those they were called to serve. “The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority.” And wouldn’t you know it, these actions were met with enthusiasm among the people: “My people love it this way.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is this still the case today? It seems that the days when pastors could command unquestioning authority are long gone. A century ago, pastors could tell their people how to live, and most would acquiesce. Teachers could discipline however they liked and the parents would always follow suit. Clearly, this is no longer the case. But perhaps that is for the best. Such authority placed into a sinful individual’s hands carries perhaps too many opportunities for sinful pride to wreak havoc.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Faithful workers of the Lord are not perfect servants. They are repentant servants.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Abraham Lincoln knew a thing or two about the dangers of power placed in sinful hands. He once wrote: “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character give him power.” [1] There are times when pastors or teachers are tempted to use their position to garner popularity by making others happy. When this gets in the way of God’s word, the ministerial situation becomes as dangerous as the prophets of Jeremiah’s day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even if you do not serve in an authoritarian ministry, temptations abound. Seeing your community living like Jeremiah’s Jerusalem might tempt you to let them walk down their path to destruction, never giving them a second glance. These are the thoughts of a battle-hardened heart that no longer thinks true repentance is possible. Solomon once warned against withholding God’s good word from the people: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/verses/Proverbs%203%3A27/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Proverbs 3:27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These temptations can strike teachers, too. How tempting it is to give up on the rebellious child and have him sent to another school for the smallest infraction! Or perhaps your temptation is more subtle, as you simply “wait out” a troubled child to finish out the year so you can “move him up” to bother another teacher. If you can’t beat ’em, graduate ’em.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So what makes us different from the prophets and priests of Jerusalem? We still sinfully exert our power when we can. We still give up on the people of our community because of who they are or because of their socioeconomic status. We are called workers, but we still sin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The difference has been laid out throughout these first chapters of Jeremiah. It is repentance. Faithful workers of the Lord are not perfect servants. They are repentant servants.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The priests and prophets of Jerusalem refused to repent so the Lord asked them an ominous question: “What will you do in the end?” That question still gives perspective today. Point your flock to the end of all things, because that is the only place that will show everything for what it really is. The stuff of this world we love so much will be gone. The money collected will be of no use. All the friends I gained by giving up on parts of God’s word will not be able to save me. The end will reveal what really matters—faith in our Savior, Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why should God forgive you? Because of Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thanks be to Jesus, who has taken away our prideful sins, our apathetic trespasses and our incendiary iniquities. Thanks be to the Holy Spirit, who gives us the willingness of our new man to not give up on our calling but enables us to speak the truth in love to our people, our children, our families, and our community.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So the Lord’s frightening question remains: “Why should I forgive you?” You know the answer. He came to be one of us. He came to be punished for every one of our sins. He came to be completely washed over by death. He came to take life back and give it to you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why should God forgive you? Because of Jesus. What will you do in the end? Trust in Christ, who will be there in the end to take you home forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “‘As surely as I live,’ God said, ‘I would not have the sinner dead,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           But that he turn from error’s ways, Repent, and live through endless days.’
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           “To us, therefore, Christ gave command: ‘Go forth and preach in ev’ry land; Bestow on all my pard’ning grace Who will repent of sinful ways.’” Amen.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           —CW 308:1–2
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is an edited excerpt from “The Pastoral Prophet: Meditations on the Book of Jeremiah” written by Steve Kruschel (1517 Publishing, 2019), pgs 33-36.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/why-should-i-forgive-you" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/why-should-i-forgive-you
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 15 Sep 2022 16:50:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-15-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-14-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-14-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-14-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mercy - So Undeserved
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many millions throughout the world are mourning the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The longest reigning monarch in British history, she was respected for her life-long commitment to leadership through service. She reigned with dignity and graciousness, providing stability in a chaotic world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In previous Word on Wednesday writing I have touched on her witness to her faith in her Christmas Messages. In 2011 she said:‘…Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed. God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Saviour, with the power to forgive…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Her words, ‘we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness or our greed’ call to my mind Jesus’ parable, ‘The Parable of the Shrewd Manager’ found in Luke chapter 16. Two themes stand out: a Dishonest Manager; and a Generous Owner.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Dishonest Manager. The parable takes us into the world of property and business. It’s the story of a rich man who has his affairs looked after by a property manager, who enjoyed a great deal of delegated power. He could negotiate financial deals and sign contracts. His position commanded a great deal of respect.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, as with any position of financial responsibility, he could mismanage funds. And this seems to have been the case, for at short notice his master issued him with a dismissal notice: Charges were brought to the owner that his manager was squandering his property.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The silence of the manager is significant. He was street-smart and was clearly unsure of the details of the charges. To speak might give the master even more reason to charge him. But his silence condemned him. He was fired, but significantly not immediately sent to prison. He had time to plan, but he needed to act quickly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Knowing he didn’t have either the physical stamina or the heart to work as a laborer, and not wanting to beg, he worked on a strategy to win friends who would look after him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One by one he called in those who owed money to the owner. He halved the debt of the first debtor who owed the equivalent of 900 gallons (lit. 100 barrels) of oil. He also reduced the sum owed by a second debtor who owed the equivalent of two and a half tons of wheat (lit. 100 containers). In today’s money both reductions were in the order of $10,000.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While much ink has been spilled in debating the meaning of this parable, we can make several observations. The manager’s action in reducing the outstanding accounts is conceivable. In a bad season an owner could reduce the yearly rent in advance. But the feature here is the secrecy and the speed of the adjustments.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, there is an all-important underlying theme: the owner’s character. The manager knew him to be just and upright. And because the owner hadn’t promptly sent the manager to prison, it was evident he could temper justice with mercy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is the key: the manager risked everything on his perception of the owner’s mercy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A generous owner. The owner had two options: he could call in the debtors and point out that the updated rental agreements weren’t binding. Or he could remain silent and personally absorb the pain and the price of the deception. In which case he would be the one who paid the cost of his manager’s tactic.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To interpret the parable this way puts a dark construction on its meaning. Could Jesus really be saying this? Consider verse 8 where we read: And his master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Shrewdness. The placing and force of the word shrewdly is significant. The owner is not commending his manager for his deception, but rather is complementing his shrewdness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The usual Greek word for wisdom is sophia. But here another word is used – meaning cleverness in self-preservation. The manager is commended for his shrewdness in looking out for his future.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The parable speaks of an existential moment in the manager’s life. He faced a future without hope. The movement of the story and the motif of shrewdness means this is a parable about life and death matters.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, as one commentator has noted, the better reading of the phrase in 16:8 is not, the unrighteous manager but rather the manager of unrighteousness. This phrase is a figure or metaphor for the world of men and women whose lives are characterized by unrighteousness before the owner – God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the parable Jesus is drawing together a complex cluster of ideas. The owner is a figure for God who is both just and yet incredibly merciful. The dishonest manager is a figure for us all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A parable for us all. In the story the manager is caught in his sinful actions and called to account. Knowing he is guilty, he entrusts his future completely to the kindness and mercy of the owner. Having experienced his master’s goodness at the beginning (he wasn’t jailed) he is confident his master will bear the full cost of his rescue. This is the shrewdness the master commends.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Shrewdness about life, death and the future is what Jesus wants us all to think about. Verse 8b is the climax of the parable: “The children of this age are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light,” Jesus comments.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kenneth Bailey, who lived in the Middle East for decades observes: ‘the parable provides an unforgettable insight into the nature of God, the predicament of men and women, and the ground of salvation’ (Bailey, p.110).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is a ‘dark’ parable in that Jesus teaches us lessons about God and ourselves, the present and the future, through a situation of corruption, injustice and pain. It is ‘dark’ in that it is the owner who has to pay the price for human failure. As Luke’s narrative unfolds, the shadow of the cross of Calvary looms ever larger.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The parable challenges us all (disciples 16:1) to be shrewd in preparing for our future beyond the grave, and wise in trusting God with our life now. Men and women (the children of this age) make smart decisions about life, looking after and protecting their interests
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, Jesus is saying, the children of light (his followers, 16:1) are not necessarily clever about heavenly things. They know there is a future world but they don’t prepare for it, nor do they live in the light of that knowledge.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘In what do you trust?’ is Jesus’ question. Have you understood that the only hope of rescue for sinful men and women is found in the mercy of God? Yes, that mercy is undeserved, he is saying, but the day will come when you will see that God, the owner, is willing to pay the full price of your rescue.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty God, you have conquered death through your dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ and have opened to us the gate of everlasting life: grant us by your grace to set our mind on things above, so that by your continual help our whole life may be transformed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in everlasting glory. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to the hymn, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16KYvfIc2bE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Christ Alone from Keith and Kristyn Getty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/mercy-so-undeserved/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/mercy-so-undeserved/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 15 Sep 2022 02:22:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-14-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-13-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-13-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-13-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is Irresistible Grace?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The doctrine of irresistible grace says that the Holy Spirit never fails to bring His own to faith. A clear grasp of this doctrine is sorely needed today. The contemporary church is in the midst of a crisis of confidence concerning biblical preaching and the diligent use of the means of grace by which the Holy Spirit works irresistibly in the lives of sinners. The church needs to reaffirm her faith in the invincible power of the Spirit-applied Word of truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grace teaches us that the salvation of hell-deserving sinners is the work of the triune God alone. When Calvinists say that grace is irresistible, they mean that the Holy Spirit never fails to call, regenerate, and save those whom the Father has elected and Christ has redeemed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The efficaciousness of this grace is defined in the Canons of Dort (Head III–IV, Art. 11):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When God accomplishes His good pleasure in the elect or works in them true conversion, He not only causes the gospel to be externally preached to them and powerfully illuminates their mind by His Holy Spirit, that they may rightly understand and discern the things of the Spirit of God; but by the efficacy of the same regenerating Spirit, pervades the inmost recesses of the man; He opens the closed, and softens the hardened heart, and circumcises that which was uncircumcised, infuses new qualities into the will, which though heretofore dead, He quickens; from being evil, disobedient, and refractory, He renders it good, obedient, and pliable; actuates and strengthens it, that like a good tree, it may bring forth the fruits of good actions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Westminster Confession (10.1) reminds us that God’s irresistible grace does not save people against their wills but by “renewing their wills . . . so as they come most freely, being made willing by his grace.” Unfortunately, the term irresistible can suggest capricious force or violence to a sinner’s will. If you are a believer, you know that when grace took hold of you, it brought you willingly and lovingly to what God had predetermined for you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grace teaches us that the salvation of hell-deserving sinners is the work of the triune God alone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God must work within the sinner to make him willing to come to Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%206%3A44/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 6:44
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            says that unless the Father “draws” him, a sinner will not believe the gospel. The original word for draw implies an effective power (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2021%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 21:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%2016%3A19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 16:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/James%202%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           James 2:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). We may kick against the gospel before we are made willing to receive it, but not after our wills are so changed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another term for irresistible grace is effectual calling. Two calls need to be distinguished. With the outward call, the gospel is preached and a call to salvation is extended to everyone who hears the message (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Isa.%2045%3A22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 45:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But this outward call will be resisted (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%207%3A51/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 7:51
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It will not bring sinners to Christ because men by nature are dead in sin and enslaved by the devil (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Eph.%202%3A1%E2%80%933/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 2:1–3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To bring sinners to salvation, the triune God must extend to them a special, inward, irresistible call in addition to the outward call contained in the gospel message. The electing Father is the great Inviter who does this calling. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Romans%208%3A30/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 8:30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            tells us, “Whom he did predestinate, them he also called” (KJV). But the effectual call is also God’s living voice in Jesus Christ. Jesus says in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2010%3A27/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 10:27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” And the Spirit is involved in drawing men to Christ through the Word (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2016%3A13%E2%80%9314/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 16:13–14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Scripture describes this Spirit-wrought change as a new birth by the Spirit (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%203%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 3:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), a passing from death to life (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%205%3A24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 5:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), an opening of the heart (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%2016%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 16:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), a spiritual resurrection from the dead (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Eph.%202%3A4%E2%80%935/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 2:4–5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Col.%202%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 2:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), and a regeneration by the Holy Ghost (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Titus%203%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Titus 3:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two implications follow from irresistible grace and effectual calling. First, God’s gracious calling is monergistic, or one-sided. It is not synergistic, or two-sided, involving God and us (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gal.%201%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal. 1:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Second, grace comes to us at enormous cost. The good news of the gospel is that the cost of our sin was paid by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, not by us. It is given at the expense of the Son of God’s incarnation in the womb of Mary and His obedience in suffering the law’s just condemnation on the cross. When God shows us grace, He is faithful and just to do so because of the saving work of Jesus Christ alone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Salvation is due to the spontaneous, extravagant love of God. If you are to be saved, it must be by the operation of God’s irresistible grace in your life. Pray that God would save you from your sins. Then, as He answers your prayer and you believe in Christ as He has commanded (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%2016%3A31/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 16:31
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), you will recognize that your believing was because of His working in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Phil.%202%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 2:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Be encouraged, for “salvation is of the Lord” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jonah%202%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jonah 2:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , KJV). And give all the glory to God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (For more information on irresistible grace, see Joel R. Beeke, Living for God’s Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism, chapter 8, from which this article is condensed.)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-is-irresistible-grace" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-is-irresistible-grace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Sep 2022 22:22:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-13-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-12-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-12-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-12-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Big with Mercy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I will sing of steadfast love and justice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%20101:1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 101:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Faith is triumphant in trial. When reason has her feet fastened in the stocks of the inner prison, faith makes the dungeon walls ring with her happy notes as she cries, "I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will make music." Faith pulls the dark mask from the face of trouble and discovers the angel beneath. Faith looks up at the cloud and sees that
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "It is big with mercy and will break
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           In blessings on her head."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is a subject for song even in the judgments of God toward us. For, first, the trial is not as difficult as it might have been; next, the trouble is not as severe as we deserved; and our affliction is not as crushing as the burden that others have to carry. Faith sees that in her deepest sorrow there is no punishment. There is not a drop of God's wrath in it; it is all sent in love. Faith finds love gleaming like a jewel on the breast of an angry God. Faith wears her grief "like a badge of honor" and sings of the sweet result of her sorrows, because they work for her spiritual good. Faith says, "For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."1 So faith rides out in victory, trampling down earthly wisdom and carnal knowledge, and singing songs of triumph where the battle rages.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All I meet I find assists me
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           In my path to heavenly joy:
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Where, though trials now attend me,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Trials never more annoy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blest there with a weight of glory,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Still the path I'll not forget,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           But, exulting, cry, it led me
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           To my blessed Savior's seat.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) 2 Corinthians 4:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/12/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/12/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 Sep 2022 19:04:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-12-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 University of Tennessee Football Game Summary - 9/1/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-tennessee-football-game-summary-9-1-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/adams_bill"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            9/1/22
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Thursday's initial evangelism for the 2022 Season began very well. As usual thousands upon thousands passed be to hear the Word; several friends from prior years and other locations said hello; many fans and stadium workers who had seen me before greeted me again and many Saints were encouraged and sinners heard the Word. Brother Jeff was also there holding his cross and distributing tracts. Praise the Lord for a wonderful day!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/University-of-Tennessee"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/University-of-Tennessee
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 09 Sep 2022 22:38:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-university-of-tennessee-football-game-summary-9-1-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill+Adams+University+of+TN+SFOI+1000+Video.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-9-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-9-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-9-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Near the Throne
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Revelation%204:4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Revelation 4:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These representatives of the saints in heaven are said to be “around the throne.” In the passage in Solomon's Song where he sings of the King sitting at his table, some render it “a round table.” From this, some expositors—I think, without straining the text—have said, “There is an equality among the saints.” That idea is conveyed by the equal nearness of the twenty-four elders.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The condition of glorified spirits in heaven is that of nearness to Christ, clear vision of His glory, constant access to His court, and familiar fellowship with His person. There is no difference in this respect between one saint and another, but all the people of God—apostles, martyrs, ministers, or private and obscure Christians—will all be seated near the throne, where they shall have a perfect view of their exalted Lord and be satisfied with His love. They will all be near Christ, all satisfied with His love, all eating and drinking at the same table with Him, all equally loved as His favorites and friends even if not all equally rewarded as His servants.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Believers on earth should imitate the saints in heaven in their nearness to Christ. We should be like the elders in heaven, sitting around the throne. Christ should be the object of our thoughts and the center of our lives. How can we endure to live at such a distance from Him? Lord Jesus, draw us nearer to Yourself. Say to us, “Abide in Me, and I in you”; and let us sing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           O lift me higher, nearer Thee,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And as I rise more pure and fit,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           O let my soul's humility
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Make me lie lower at Thy feet;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Less trusting self, the more I prove
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The blessed comfort of Thy love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/09/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/09/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 09 Sep 2022 14:16:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-9-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-8-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-8-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-8-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peanut Shells and Porterhouses
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The twenty-third chapter of Jeremiah’s prophecy begins with one of the more eye-brow-raising declarations from the mouth of God. “‘Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!’ declares the Lord” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2023%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 23:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). From the outset, it’s evident that God has exhausted his last reserves of patience for this bunch of woeful shepherds, as he indicts them for failing to live up to their title. To be a shepherd, of course, means you are one who tends to and cares for the sheep under your charge. These shepherds, though, did next to nothing in that regard. In fact, you might even say that they were “anti-shepherds,” since they had utterly failed to do any actual shepherding.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God says they had left his flock unattended (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2023%3A1%E2%80%932/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 23:1–2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), causing his anger to boil at all the ways in which they had defaulted on their responsibility to provide for the spiritual nourishment of God’s people. The ante is upped, though, when all the divine attention turns to focus on “the prophets.” “Concerning the prophets: My heart is broken within me,” Jeremiah confesses, “all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, like a man overcome by wine, because of the Lord and because of his holy words” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2023%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 23:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The prophet’s heart is reeling. His insides shake as he receives the Word of the Lord he was called to proclaim. Why? Because he knew how holy Yahweh was and how utterly unholy Yahweh’s people were (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2023%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 23:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). They had become like a cheating spouse. They were “adulterers,” in heart and in mind. They were a bunch of idolaters who had been led astray by “phony shepherds” and “lying prophets.” And if you’re really curious as to God’s thoughts about all this, he makes that quite clear in verses 11–15.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In God’s eyes, the “prophets of Jerusalem” were no better than the vile inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, the very people who were incinerated by the fires of heaven as a result of their shamelessness and debauchery. God says his people had become just like that. Those who were duly charged with leading the people of God in and according to the truth of God now found themselves in the crosshairs of God’s wrath. They had been singled out by a holy fury for all the ways in which they had punted on their God-given obligations. In turn, they had reaped nothing but disaster.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeremiah is often referred to as “the weeping prophet,” not only because his was a ministry filled with dread, but also because the people to whom he ministered were so far removed from where God had intended them to be. The undercurrent of his prophecy is the decadence of the people of God as they edged closer and closer to ruin. Exile was just around the corner, and, according to the word of the Lord, the blame for that was to fall squarely in the lap of these woeful shepherds and wayward prophets. The fault was theirs for leading the people astray (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2023%3A1%E2%80%932%2C%2013%2C%2032/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 23:1–2, 13, 32
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And such is why God’s wrath was set to come down upon them. “Behold, the storm of the Lord! Wrath has gone forth, a whirling tempest; it will burst upon the head of the wicked. The anger of the Lord will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intents of his heart. In the latter days you will understand it clearly” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2023%3A19%E2%80%9320/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 23:19–20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If it was not obvious already, it should be obvious by now that God is more than a little exasperated by those whom he had put in place to lead his people. Indeed, what streams from the prophet’s lips in chapter 23 is Yahweh’s pent-up anger at his people. This wasn’t a knee-jerk reaction on God’s part. These were deliberate, purposeful words, which, to be sure, the Lord took no delight in delivering. But these shepherds and prophets had tried God’s patience for far too long. Instead of leading God’s chosen people into more and more of the delights of God’s words and ways, they championed their own message, filling the people with nothing but “vain hopes” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2023%3A16%E2%80%9317/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 23:16–17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The “prophecies” of these supposed prophets were empty and meaningless because they spoke “not from the mouth of the Lord” but according to their own wisdom. God’s people were being led by a gaggle of shepherds and prophets who had abandoned the power of God in favor of their own fanciful dreams, which the Lord compares to straw (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2023%3A25%E2%80%9329/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 23:25–29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Their imagined messages were good for nothing. Their words were rubbish, like the husks of grain that get thrown away during the reaping. These woeful shepherds and wayward prophets were worthless because they proclaimed a worthless message, which only served to plunge God’s people back into the wilderness. This, I’d say, is counsel which the “church of today” needs desperately. John Henry Jowett thought so, too. Jowett, a British pastor and preacher who lived during the late-1800s and early-1900s, is considered by some to be “the greatest preacher in the English speaking world” during his day. In a 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/_/JiU3AAAAMAAJ?hl=en" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           series of lectures he once gave at Yale
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , he maintained that “the pulpit may be the centre of overwhelming power, and it may be the scene of tragic disaster” (145). Despite how old this analysis might be, it remains both trenchant for today and a succinct way to sum up 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jeremiah%2023/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeremiah 23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In many ways, the modern American church finds itself in a very similar position as that of these shepherds and prophets, with folks being led by so-called “pastors and preachers” who aren’t really pastoring their people so much as leading them astray. They fill their congregants’ ears with the din of their own opinions and “visions of their own minds,” instead of the indefatigable truth of God’s Word. The pulpit has become the scene of sundry “dreams and disasters” in recent days, with pastors of all stripes saying downright preposterous things. From the whacky to the worthless, and everything in between, there’s no telling what you might get on any given Sunday depending on what kind of church you’ve decided to call home.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By way of example, I recently heard one so-called preacher (who I shan’t give the dignity of naming) repeatedly appeal to the Bible as he argued that conditions such as autism and OCD, and the like, were merely the result of demonic possession. The inference being, of course, that overcoming such things was as simple a matter as expelling the right demon. Another preacher recently posited that Jesus “transgendered himself” when he stooped down to wash the feet of his apostles the night before his crucifixion. I’m not even sure what that means, but my gut tells me it’s wrong. One well-known evangelical pastor recently said that “it doesn’t matter if the Bible is true, so long as it’s ‘mostly reliable.’” Another preacher said that if you were looking to practice the “gift of prophesying,” but you haven’t been able to hear from God yet, just go ahead and “make up a prophecy,” which sounds an awful like a campaign to “speak visions from your own mind.” We are encumbered with the chaff-filled messages of men’s own imaginations, which profit nothing and no one.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A preacher’s job is to open the Word and demonstrate from text after text how God has purposed from “before the foundation of the world” to “reconcile to himself all things” through the blood of his Son
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I share such things neither to get you to chuckle at some of the absurd things that pastors say nor to exalt myself above them, as though I am the perfect preacher who preaches perfectly. Rather, I share those things with you for two reasons: (1) because this gets to the heart of my burden every time I preach; and (2) because this gets to the heart of God’s burden for this world of sinners. Every time I am afforded the opportunity to preach God’s Word, I carry with me 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.graceupongrace.net/p/preach-as-though-you-were-dying" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           the same burden
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            — namely, to “to forget everything except Jesus Christ and him crucified,” as the beloved 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foolishness-Preaching-Proclaiming-Gospel-Against/dp/0802843050" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Robert Capon put it
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            (13). As I see it,a preacher’s job is to open the Word and demonstrate from text after text how God has purposed from “before the foundation of the world” to “reconcile to himself all things” through the blood of his Son (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Col.%201%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 1:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Eph.%201%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 1:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Pet.%201%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Pet. 1:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rev.%2013%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. 13:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I am stubborn on that point — and happily so — mostly because I am certain that there’s no other message in the world that I truly need to hear except the one that talks of absolution and redemption. A church’s platform is all too easily treated as though it was nothing more than a personal “soapbox,” from which opinions and imaginations and dreams are spouted off as doctrine. But what good does that really do? Speaking to directly to preachers, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foolishness-Preaching-Proclaiming-Gospel-Against/dp/0802843050" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Capon continues
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “You were not sent to spout opinions they can dismiss. You were sent to proclaim the sharp, authentic Word to them — the Word who isn’t NutraSweet” (134). What good are my words compared to God’s? “What has straw in common with wheat?” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2023%3A28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 23:28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Can a peanut really compare with a dry-aged porterhouse steak?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I still remember the first time I ate a Texas Roadhouse. At around 5 or 7 years of age, I was entirely fascinated by the notion that you could just throw your peanut shells anywhere you wanted. The troughs of peanuts ready for the taking was quite inviting, but the added entertainment came as I quickly learned that decorum didn’t matter as far as peanuts were concerned. Imagine, though, if I spent all my time at Texas Roadhouse shelling and de-skinning peanuts without ever actually eating the nut? What benefit would that serve? What good would that do? Other than providing a brief distraction? Indeed, what if I only ever consumed the peanuts and never sat down to eat a steak? Such is what God says it’s like when preachers don’t exalt him or his Word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My words are peanuts compared to the porterhouse of God’s Word. If all I ever did was offer my opinions when behind the pulpit, that would be roughly as profitable and beneficial as a floor covered in peanut shells. As the Lord himself declares, he’s “against” anyone who resorts to pumping out “sermons of straw” instead of his Word: “Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who steal my words from one another. Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who use their tongues and declare, “declares the Lord.” Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the Lord, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the Lord” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2023%3A30%E2%80%9332/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 23:30–32
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.graceupongrace.net/p/the-burden-of-preaching" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           burden of preaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is one that ought to be taken seriously because God takes his Word and those who are responsible for preaching it very seriously. Why else do you think he spends an entire book meticulously detailing all the ways in which he desired to be worshiped (e.g., Leviticus)? The God of Heaven is very concerned with the ways in which his earthlings worship him — so much so, in fact, that he purposes to rectify the blunders of every woeful shepherd and wayward prophet himself. “Behold,” he declares, “I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord. Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2023%3A2%E2%80%933/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 23:2–3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There’s nothing more important, more necessary, more urgent in our day than the fervent declaration of God’s Word as the only and the ultimate source of grace and truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord promises that his scattered flock will one day be re-gathered, with every far-off sheep brought “back to their fold” and every unattended lamb found and numbered (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2023%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 23:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). All of this, and more, will be accomplished by the Lord’s “Righteous Branch” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2023%3A5%E2%80%937/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 23:5–7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), which, of course, is nothing but a divine nickname for “The Lord Our Righteousness,” our Savior, the Christ of God. He is the true and better Shepherd, the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2010%3A11%E2%80%9318/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 10:11–18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He is the One who purposes to make right every wrong perpetuated by these wicked shepherds and prophets. And such is the church’s message.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The only kind of preaching that saves souls and changes lives is the kind that gives every ounce of attention to “The Lord Our Righteousness.” The burden of the pulpit is to be the place where burdened souls are unburdened through the proclamation of the news that the God of all grace has himself absorbed every burden of every sinner ever. Clinging to the belief that “all Scripture is pure Christ,” as 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://media.ctsfw.edu/Text/ViewDetails/15304" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Martin Luther maintained
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , isn’t some passing fad or cute gimmick. It’s the lifeblood of the redeemed. There’s nothing more important, more necessary, more urgent in our day than the fervent declaration of God’s Word as the only and the ultimate source of grace and truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/peanut-skins-and-porterhouses" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/peanut-skins-and-porterhouses
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 08 Sep 2022 14:42:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-8-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-7-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-7-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-7-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lost...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Divisions between groups of people is a feature of every age. These days the divisions are being redefined – based especially on race and gender.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Luke chapter 15 we find two very different groups amongst Jesus’ hearers: what we might call the ‘sinners’ and the ‘saints’. In the eyes of contemporary Judaism, prostitutes and tax collectors were ‘sinners’ – outcasts of respectable society. The religious elite, who viewed themselves as the shepherds of Israel, considered that they were the righteous, the ‘saints’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By dining with outsiders Jesus implied that he treated them equally as men and women and welcomed them. Indeed, in the previous section Luke records Jesus’ words about true discipleship: “Let anyone with ears to hear, listen!” (14:35). It was the outsiders rather than the religious elite who heard.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Luke chapter 15 three parables alert sinners to the reality of God’s grace, while at the same time challenging the self-satisfied saints to repentance. In all great literature there are purple passages: Luke chapter 15 stands supreme.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The lost sheep (15:3-7). David Penman, one time theologian and missionary in the Middle East and a former Anglican archbishop, once pointed out to me that ‘no-one in the Middle-East loses anything; things are simply lost. One is never ‘bad’, they are simply not ‘good’. The outcasts in Jesus’ audience would have listened intently because he spoke about the lost.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In our city life we often lose sight of the risks to the shepherd and the price he would have paid to rescue the sheep. His action stands in stark contrast to the ‘shepherds’ in Israel who were losing sheep and not bothering about rescuing and restoring them. All they did was sit on the sidelines, criticizing anyone committed to rescuing the lost.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Does this sound like today? How many progressive church leaders are committed to going out and rescuing the lost with the clear statement of God’s good news?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grace, freely and sacrificially offered, is the dominant theme of the parable. The sheep was lost and unable to find its way home. Showing grace or mercy, the shepherd was pro-active in searching for it. The lost sheep could offer no assistance: its restoration was a gift from beginning to end. With joy in his heart the shepherd slung the sheep over his shoulder and carried it home. So great was his joy that he called in his neighbors to share in it (15:5-6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ comment in verse 7 provides the interpretative key for the parable: “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus made a clear link between the lost sheep and sinners: men and women who are lost in terms of their relationship with God. For many, Christianity means rules and regulations set by a cold and aloof God whose only interest is impossible perfection and retributive justice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The tax collectors and sinners in Jesus’ audience may have been tempted to think this way too, for their religious leaders taught and held out to them an impossible standard. They knew all too well that they were lost. This parable, with its focus on the extravagant goodness and grace of God, gave them the hope that God was sending his shepherd to rescue them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Further, the parable is about the cost of the rescue. We are aware of the cost in rescuing people in the aftermath of a major disaster – a hurricane, earthquake or tsunami. Here Jesus points to the cost of the rescue of humanity; the shepherd is not burdened by the weight of a lamb, but by the load of the full-grown sheep that he carries back through the wilderness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke wants us to become aware of the dark shadow of the cross looming over Jesus’ life. There is also an implied repentance – the recognition of need – in the sheep’s acceptance of its rescue.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through the lens of this parable we see the shape of God’s good news. Jesus himself is the good shepherd who has come to the rescue of fallen, lost humanity. Ironically, the outcasts, the irreligious are aware of their state, but the religious aren’t. A further parable develops this conundrum.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The lost coin (15:8-10). Jesus’ attack on the failure of the religious leaders continued with the opening line of the second parable – a woman and a lost a coin. It may have been one of ten coins in her purse, or it may have been a coin on a string of coins. Significantly, it is the responsibility of the person who lost the coin to find it. Unlike the Pharisees and their scribes who were indifferent to the lost, the woman started searching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The price of her search and recovery was high, for she needed to get down on her hands and knees and go over every inch of her house, looking in every nook and cranny. Clearly the coin could not find or restore itself. Jesus’ theme of rescue and restoration continued with the successful recovery of the coin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Men and women are likened to lifeless coins, lost and almost hidden in the darkness of a chaotic, confused world. Rescue and restoration are entirely dependent on the initiative and action of an external actor – someone who is totally committed to finding them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first parable presented Jesus as the ‘good shepherd’; this parable presents him as ‘a good woman’ – a responsible householder doing everything to take care of what is theirs. The unexpected theme of grace dominates. God himself is willing to do everything he needs to do to reach out and restore what is very precious to him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Again, there is joy. How ironic that those who were so critical of Jesus and of his obvious care and compassion for the lost, would dare sit in judgment on him. Heaven itself rejoices over one sinner who repents (15:10).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty God, you are always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and constantly give more than either we desire or deserve: pour down on us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgEn6ftrT-4" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Magnificent, Marvelous, Matchless Love from Keith and Kristyn Getty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/lost/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/lost/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2022 14:33:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-7-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Commonwealth Games Outreach '22 Game Summary - Gerry</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/commonwealth-games-outreach-22-game-summary-gerry</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise God for the opportunity to evangelize to proclaim Christ! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Gerry+Collins+Commonwealth+Games+.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Photos taken by 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry Collins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - It was a a great trip and wonderful privilege to preach Christ to the masses of people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/commonwealth-games#GameSummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/commonwealth-games#GameSummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 07 Sep 2022 03:06:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/commonwealth-games-outreach-22-game-summary-gerry</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Gerry+Collins+Commonwealth+Games+.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-6-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-6-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-6-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Who Called David's Census - God or Satan?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At first sight, David’s census, which is recorded for us in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Samuel%2024/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Samuel 24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and in 1 Chronicles 21, provides one of the more obvious “contradictions” in the Bible. According to 2 Samuel 24:1, “Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, ‘Go, number Israel and Judah.’ ” However, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Chronicles%2021%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Chronicles 21:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            says, “Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel.” So was it the Lord or Satan who was responsible for inciting David into this sin?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first point to notice is that the Chronicler uses Samuel-Kings as his basic source material for Israel’s history, and in many places quotes it verbatim. In other places, he adds material from other sources that is not found in Samuel-Kings, while in yet others he reshapes the material in Samuel-Kings to bring out points he was particularly keen to emphasize for the sake of his particular audience.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Samuel-Kings, the focus of the story is on the exile as the culminating judgment to the sin of multiple generations of Israelites, answering the question of the exiles, “Was the Lord not powerful enough to protect us against the Babylonian gods?” But that answer created a new concern among the exiles—that the Lord was unfairly judging one generation for the sins of previous generations: “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2031%3A29/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 31:29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ezek.%2018%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ezek. 18:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). To the contrary, the Chronicler was keen to highlight how on many occasions the Lord consistently judged sin and blessed faithfulness at the time it occurred. These two perspectives are complementary: the Lord in His patience waits long to judge His people, but His judgment never falls upon an innocent generation, because each generation is weighed down by their own sins (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ezek.%2018/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ezek. 18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Any generation can humble themselves, repent, turn to the Lord, and receive favor from Him (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Chron.%207%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Chron. 7:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In one sense, David himself was responsible for numbering the people. That was not merely unwise but sinful, since the primary reason in ancient times to undertake a census was to establish the size of army a ruler could depend on in a conflict. However, David was supposed to be trusting in the Lord, not in the size of his army. If David had been trusting in God, he would have had no need for a census. As Jonathan put it so eloquently in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Samuel%2014%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Samuel 14:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Together, these passages make an important theological point: the Lord is ultimately in control of all temptations that come to us—and of those to which we give in.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The writer of 2 Samuel wanted to bring out a deeper truth, however. Even in our sinful decisions, we can do nothing other than what the Lord has determined. The Lord didn’t make David sin—He didn’t have to, since David’s sinful nature naturally led him in that direction. He simply had to remove the restraints and allow David to pursue the desires of his sinful heart. In David’s case, this sin was the result of a downward spiral into the darkness, which began with his adultery with Bathsheba in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Samuel%2011/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Samuel 11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . That one sin opened the door for other sins to follow, culminating in this sin, which cost the lives of seventy thousand people (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Sam.%2024%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Sam. 24:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Yet the Lord had redemptive purposes even in allowing David to sin like this, since it was through David’s repentance over this sin that the site of the temple was identified (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Sam.%2024%3A18%E2%80%9325/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Sam. 24:18–25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Where sin abounded, grace was multiplied even more (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%205%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 5:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Chronicler wanted to clarify one aspect of the story, which is the role of Satan as the intermediary in this process. After all, God does not tempt people Himself (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/James%201%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           James 1:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ); He is not the author of evil. Sometimes, the source is in our sinful nature, while at other times it comes from the allure of the world around us (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20John%202%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 2:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Yet there are times, as the Chronicler notes in this case, when temptation comes from the evil one. This is not a contradiction of what 2 Samuel said, since (as Martin Luther put it) the devil is “God’s devil.” He can only color within the lines drawn for him by the Almighty, as the book of Job makes clear. Satan has no more power than the Lord allows him, and ultimately, he can do nothing other than what the Lord has purposed from the beginning (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gen.%2050%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 50:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Together, these passages make an important theological point: the Lord is ultimately in control of all temptations that come to us—and of those to which we give in. In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2022%3A31%E2%80%9332/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 22:31–32
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Jesus told Peter that Satan desired to sift him like wheat—that is, to subject Peter to severe temptation. However, Jesus prayed for Peter—not that he wouldn’t be tempted or wouldn’t sin, but that his temptation and failure would not destroy his faith. Satan comes against us like a roaring lion who seems ready to swallow us alive (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Peter%205%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Peter 5:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But he has no more power over us than he has been given, and God’s grace is sufficient for us in the midst of our failure, just as it was for David. God is able to enhance His own glory and our good even through our greatest sins, which He uses to humble us and make us more grateful for the gospel. That is good news for great sinners like us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/davids-census" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/davids-census
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 2022 15:09:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-6-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-5-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-5-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-5-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Obedience or Knowledge?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Have you entered into the springs of the sea?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Job%2038:16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Job 38:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some things in nature remain a mystery even to the most intelligent and enterprising investigators. Human knowledge has boundaries beyond which it cannot pass. Universal knowledge is for God alone. If this is true in the things that are seen and temporal, I can be certain that it is even more so in spiritual and eternal matters. Why, then, have I been torturing my brain with speculations about divine sovereignty and human responsibility? These deep and dark truths I am no more able to comprehend than to discover the source from which the ocean draws her watery supplies.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why am I so curious to know the reason for my Lord’s providences, the motive of His actions, the design of His visitations? Will I ever be able to clasp the sun in my fist or hold the universe in my palm? Yet these are as a drop in a bucket compared with the Lord my God. Do not let me strive to understand the infinite, but spend my strength in love. What I cannot gain by intellect I can possess by affection, and that should be enough for me. I cannot penetrate the heart of the sea, but I can enjoy the healthy breezes that sweep across it, and I can sail over its blue waves with propitious winds.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If I could enter the springs of the sea, the feat would serve no useful purpose either to myself or to others; it would not save the sinking ship or restore the drowned sailor to his weeping wife and children. Neither would my solving deep mysteries avail me a single whit. The simplest act of obedience to Him is better than the profoundest knowledge. My Lord, I leave the infinite to You and ask You to put far from me a love for the tree of knowledge that would keep me from the tree of life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/05/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/05/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Sep 2022 13:06:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-5-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Green Bay Packers Football Game Summary - 8/19/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-green-bay-packers-football-game-summary-8-19-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/pucel_heath"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           8/19/22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - Heath Report - It was great to be back preaching the Gospel to the Green Bay Packer pre season home game against the New Orleans Saints. We had five evangelists covering three different locations around the stadium. Dan Davis and Heath Pucel were in the usual ministry spot across from thePacker practice field and received a lot of encouragement from believers for being out there. Several came up to thank us for preaching and we also had Harold who usually stops by with his cross as he travels around the stadium collecting cans. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Greg Fischer and Dan Walchek as well as Doug Schoenwalder were at their ministry locations at one of the busier intersections near the stadium. They both are on opposite sides so the fans hear the gospel twice as they enter into Lambeau Field’s parking lot. Lots of gospel tracts went out and people were pretty receptive in taking them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Green-Bay-Packers"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Green-Bay-Packers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 03 Sep 2022 03:15:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-green-bay-packers-football-game-summary-8-19-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Heath+preaching+to+a+high+school+football+team+attending+the+game_Heath+Pucel+Green+Bay+Packers+do+the+work+of+an+evangelist.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-2-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-2-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-2-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Craving for Miracles
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%204:48/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 4:48
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A craving for miracles was a symptom of the sickly condition of men’s minds in our Lord’s day; they refused solid nourishment and longed for mere wonders. The Gospel that they so greatly needed they would not have; the miracles that Jesus did not always choose to give they eagerly demanded. Even today there are many who must see signs and wonders or they will not believe. Some have said in their heart, “I must feel deep horror of soul or I never will believe in Jesus.” But what if you never should feel it, as probably you never will? Will you go to hell out of spite against God because He did not treat you like someone else?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One has said to himself, “If I had a dream, or if I could feel a sudden jolt of something, then I would believe.” You undeserving mortals dream that my Lord is to be dictated to by you! You are beggars at His gate, asking for mercy, and you are drawing up rules and regulations as to how He will give that mercy. Do you think that He will submit to this? My Master has a generous spirit, but He also has a royal heart. He rejects all orders and maintains His sovereignty of action. Why, dear reader, if this is your case, do you crave signs and wonders? Isn’t the Gospel its own sign and wonder? Isn’t this the miracle of miracles, that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish”? Surely that precious word, “Let the one who desires take the water of life without price”1 and that solemn promise, “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out”2 are better than signs and wonders! A truthful Savior ought to be believed. He is truth itself. Why will you ask the One who cannot lie for proof? The devils themselves declared Him to be the Son of God; will you mistrust Him?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Revelation 22:17
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           2) John 6:37
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/02/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/09/02/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 02 Sep 2022 14:29:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-2-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 9-1-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-1-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 9-1-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The word, Word
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I have a gift for redundancy and repetitiveness, and perhaps this is why I have concluded that the most important word in all of theology is the word, “Word.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           See! my redundancy is a gift and a curse.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why do I believe that the word, “Word” is the most important word in the faith? Because it simply is what it is, and what it is, is everything!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We begin with 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%201%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 1:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 3: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth… And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we fast forward in God’s Word, to the Gospel of St. John, we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%201%3A1-4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 1:1-4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           St. John tells us that as the Father willed and the Holy Spirit hovered over the deep, the Word, Jesus Christ, was there. His speaking created. He went forth by the breath and will of the Father and the Spirit to create with them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With a word, the Word created all things, light and dark, heavens and earth, waters and dry land, plants, fish, birds, reptiles, mammals, you, me, everything. Consider a thing like that. God speaks and what he says happens. And so, the “Dabar Yahweh” – the Word of God – speaks words and therefore acts as what we call the operative word; he breathes life into all creation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Of course, in our desire to be gods in our own right, we did not listen to what God spoke to us. There was only one thing that we were told not to do, and we went and did it. We twisted God’s Word and ate the forbidden fruit. But God would not leave us alone in the death of our sin. He promised that his Word would come and redeem humanity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When God’s Word goes forth, amazing things happen, life-giving things. When the Prophets of old spoke God’s words, nations would rise, and nations would crumble.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Life was given to those who had died; dried bones could even take on flesh. In Ezekiel, we read the word of the Lord, “Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord’” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ezek.%2037%3A4-6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ezek. 37:4-6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Word of God is powerful in every way possible. Not only is the Word that which creates, but one that recreates, restores, renews, and revivifies that which is written of for dead. Because our God is not a God of wrath but a God of love, he is compelled to redeem that which he created. The creating Word of God, therefore, came to speak new life into those who had rebelled against him and brought with that rebellion temporal and eternal death.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So it is that with a word, God created all things that with the Word, he recreates, redeems, and revivifies his beloved people, you and me. The Word dwelled among us, the Word suffered our existence, and worse, he who knew no sin became sin so that you could be the righteousness of God. The words of this glad exchange of our sin for his righteousness comes to dead hearts and brings joy and life eternal.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Word of God is powerful, operative, and does what it says and says what it does.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The power of the Word of God is the power of God himself, for he is always faithful to his Word. From the cross, Christ Jesus, the Word made flesh, spoke you into his kingdom. With a word, “tetelestai” – “it is finished” – your salvation was accomplished.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After rising from the dead, the Word dwelt among us for another forty days before ascending to heaven. But he promised his Apostles that he would be with us always. How is it that Jesus ascended to heaven and yet he is with us? The answer is simple – through the Word in all of its forms.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Word of God in the Holy Scriptures puts Jesus in our eyes and in our hearts and minds.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Word of God preached in the church puts the Word of God in our ears, hearts, and minds.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Word of God attached to the waters of baptism covers and coats us with Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Word of God spoken into the bread and wine is the very body and blood of Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Word of Absolution spoken over and into us does more than remind us that we are forgiven, but it is truly the forgiveness of God that penetrates our souls.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Word of God is powerful, operative, and does what it says and says what it does. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Heb.%204%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 4:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I could go on and on about the majesty of the Word of God, but it is all in all because it is Jesus Christ and his loving will to create, redeem and restore you and me to our rightful place: being in the Word in every way.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Martin Luther reminds us, “And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us; The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/the-word-word" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/the-word-word
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 01 Sep 2022 13:43:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-9-1-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Commonwealth Games Outreach '22 Game Summary - Lots of Pics</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/commonwealth-games-outreach-22-game-summary-lots-of-pics</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise God for the opportunity to evangelize to proclaim Christ! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Group+Photo+Commonwealth+Games+evangelize.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Group Photo and other pics from Commonwealth Games -
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/commonwealth-games#GameSummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/commonwealth-games#GameSummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 31 Aug 2022 21:41:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/commonwealth-games-outreach-22-game-summary-lots-of-pics</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Group+Photo+Commonwealth+Games+evangelize.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Commonwealth Games Outreach '22 Game Summary - Video Highlight</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/commonwealth-games-outreach-22-game-summary-video-highlight</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise God for the opportunity to evangelize to proclaim Christ! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Video+Highlight.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Commonwealth Games Video Highlight - Praise The LORD, we met Dominic a Christian Brother who lives here in Birmingham, England. Praise GOD, He is going to sing a song to Glorify GOD.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Watch this short clip: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/bill.shank.756/videos/1751333355215107/?__cft__[0]=AZUpKzD5M0Nunfd4AHYBwZtzQCsURq3mD_viEPivjBEkF9s42NmGXKTV2g59QHruhJht7IPr1VGFn0zh7ISQyyE9bG1IIEu0E9Io0YQr6yOjBT9Zv5Xr_6YM5jRoUOtFaVmvkyaJKNS3OoxgvnxRTVGi&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/bill.shank.756/videos/1751333355215107
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/commonwealth-games#GameSummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/commonwealth-games#GameSummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 31 Aug 2022 21:11:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/commonwealth-games-outreach-22-game-summary-video-highlight</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Video+Highlight.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Commonwealth Games Outreach '22 Game Summary - Gary</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/commonwealth-games-outreach-22-game-summary-gary</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise God for the opportunity to evangelize to proclaim Christ! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Larry+preaching+near+Victoria+square.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pics from Gary Purgason -
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/commonwealth-games#GameSummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/commonwealth-games#GameSummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 31 Aug 2022 20:55:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/commonwealth-games-outreach-22-game-summary-gary</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Larry+preaching+near+Victoria+square.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Commonwealth Games Outreach '22 Game Summary - Warren &amp; Darlene</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/commonwealth-games-outreach-22-game-summary-warren-darlene</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise God for the opportunity to evangelize to proclaim Christ! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Warren+and+Darlene+written+report+Commonwealth+Games.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Special Report from Warren &amp;amp; Darlene -
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Starting on August 1st we began taking notes on the people we talked to so we could remember them and how to pray for them. Most of these people responded to a sign that said: Free Test Will you go to heaven? We didn't write down brief interactions only those we spoke to for a while. Many gospel tracts were also given out to people we didn't talk to. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here is our list:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Archer a man we met at church who came out to preach with us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dominic another man who is a rapper by trade and now writes songs for the Lord. We had a long conversation with Him on one day. He knew he needed to use his talent to serve our King Jesus and came out with us on another day and shared a song and drew a crowd that heard the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luigi and Louis two separate conversations with young men who resisted the gospel message but took tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Webs, a man with a believing wife who heard us talking to others and had questions. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sam, a 17-year-old, who was very open and serious about receiving Jesus. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two Muslim girls that defended their religion but accepted gospel tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A family of three that took the will you go to heaven test are going home to read their Bible and ask God to save them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tom who is ok with going to hell because he doesn't believe it exists.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eric, an American who wanted to talk but doesn't believe.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Aaron a former catholic who received a gospel of John and is going to read it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Penny who goes to church but doesn't understand the gospel and has physical struggles.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Delia a Christian who needed assurance of salvation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two Muslim girls whose names we couldn't understand who thought we had the same Jesus. They want to read the Bible and learn more.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hannah another Muslim young lady who heard the gospel and talked to us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A family of 5 that were JWs but now were drifting and didn't want to take a gospel tract a first but then left with a tract after we shared the gospel with them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Natia and Victoria teenagers who don't believe in Jesus but want to be better people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An older man who was listening as we shared with someone else and wanted to talk about the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Chloe, Sofia and Grace teens who took the test and heard the gospel but were resistant.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark an unsaved man who said nobody is listening while Warren was preaching so Warren said, "You are." Later his wife returned to us and told us that she and her children are saved by he is not and he was listening.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Louise a drunk woman who wanted one of our group to go home with her. She has lost her children because of her lifestyle.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Samantha and Analise who don't believe in hell.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While singing amazing grace a man joined in and at the end received Jesus as Savior.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two older Mulsim women who took the heaven test and heard the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Vienna, Milan and their young son who said they believe but don't know what happens after death.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thomas a universalist who thinks he can be good enough without Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Unda and Isaac young Mulsim men who know Jesus is God but had many excuses.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Madison who thinks she is good on her own but listened and heard the truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A woman and her niece who believe but the woman is mad at God because of life events.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A street person who knew he was a sinner and heard the gospel for the first time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daniel the manager of the Pizza Hut near where we were preaching. We had lunch and he came up to our table after we ate and said I noticed you guys had a Bible so I wanted to ask some questions. We talked at length with him about Jesus and Daniel is looking for that sure salvation. After we left we looks at each other and asked if one of us had a Bible out but none of us did.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phillip a drunk catholic who heard and agreed with the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Radowan from Slovakia who believes in Zues and Egyptian religion.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David who loves Jesus but is homeless and having physical issues at this time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John a Muslim who doesn't believe in Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Michael another drunk who heard the gospel but resisted the truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A JW who knows he doesn't have eternal life but thinks he can work for it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Andrew stopped just to talk and heard the gospel and accepted a tract after talking.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A trio where one stopped but was pushed away. They later passed by again and both ladies grabbed a gospel tract even though the man they were with did not want them to.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ada, a believer, who encouraged us and took a tract to share with someone else.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           6 teen boys who were very receptive to the gospel and had questions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gory and Snaka, older teen girls from India going to school in Birmingham. They heard the gospel for the first time and asked for Bibles. They both received a Bible and they are planning to read it together.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lia and Mia, teen cousins, had many excuses for their sins. Mia was raised catholic.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Michael, Joe and Harley, teen boys, who took the test and heard the gospel. They were quite cocky but they listened well and stood around for a while even after we were done talking to them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bruce, a christian who didn't have assurance of salvation. We shared with him and encouraged him to trust what he knows is true.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David took the test and said he will continue to be evil and sin if he wants to. He was a muslim.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave, a city worker sitting in his truck. He asked many questions but doubts the gospel is true.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sam gave Warren directions and in the process of the conversation heard the gospel and was very receptive to it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Abdul who needs his eyes opened to the truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gorra, an Indian man who had never heard the gospel listened intently.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul who as concerned that we had gotten Jesus's name wrong.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Darhista, from India, who loves to help and knows about Jesus but didn't seem saved.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Norma, a christian who was encouraged by meeting us on the street talking about Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hamas and Ahmed who listened intently as the gospel was shared with them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Talia and Tivoli both asked for Bibles after hearing the gospel. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joseph who knew the gospel but said he is waiting for the Spirit. He was out passing out gospel tracts but needed assurance of salvation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eric, a 7th day adventist, who tried to prove his point but the Bible kept telling him the truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Leo walked up while Warren was preaching and knows he needs Jesus. He said he would go home and read the book of John. He wants to know God and doesn't know why He isn't there yet. He was encouraged to trust in God by faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We prayed for Joyce and Derrick, an elderly couple of friends who were having physical issues. They are Christians.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A group of 6 teens some who knew about Jesus but were not saved. They had been talking about Jesus when they saw our sign.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Golpriseen, a Sikh with many questions about Jesus. He received a Bible.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jemima and Ruby. Christians who needed assurance of salvation by faith in Jesus alone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luigi, a young brother, giving out Bibles. We prayed together.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rainy, a gypsy girl who wants to live her own way and resisted the gospel message.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A man who was a believer but was not going to church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two teen girls who took the test and were very concerned about their results.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tati, 14 and her cousin Faith, 8 who knew Jesus but didn't know what happened to a person after they die.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Young moms and best friends Lauren and Mia who took the test and were aware of Jesus but were not sure about where they would go when they die and why.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Patricia and George took the test and are going home to read the book of John together and pray that God would reveal Himself to them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sali and her daughter 6 who learned about their Savior Jesus today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kormori, a teen who wanted a Bible to learn more about Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A young Romanian girl who had been baptized but didn't believe anymore. She was worried about that. She was with a friend who also heard the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Leon who received a tract and talked with us about Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Karen, 52, a Jewish woman who hasn't read her Bible or thought much about life after death but talked with me on the train at length and is married to a Christian.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A man who talked with Warren on the train and received a gospel tract.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Warren and Darlene
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/commonwealth-games#GameSummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/commonwealth-games#GameSummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 31 Aug 2022 20:00:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/commonwealth-games-outreach-22-game-summary-warren-darlene</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Warren+and+Darlene+written+report+Commonwealth+Games.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-31-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-31-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-31-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Expectations...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These days the success of a church or minister is usually measured in numbers: the bigger the crowds the more successful the ministry.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But numbers never impressed Jesus. He was much more interested in disciples – people who were ready to be taught by him and be guided by his good counsel throughout life, no matter the cost.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Luke chapter 14, verses 26 through 33, we find that huge crowds were following him. Turning to them he said: “Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, even life itself, cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple…”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The choice between family affection and our loyalty to him is the first of two expectations Jesus sets out for all who would follow him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The startling word hatred with respect to family members lays out a principle: namely the need to subordinate every relationship, including our relationship with dearly loved ones, and even life itself, to loyalty to Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is not fanaticism. Rather, Jesus’ focus here is rooted in the first commandment: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength’ (Deuteronomy 6:6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now, it is vital not to build doctrine on just one verse. True disciples, instructed by the counsel of God’s Word, will also be aware of the importance of family life – as we find for example, in Deuteronomy 5:16, 18; Matthew 5:27ff; Ephesians 5:3-5, and Ephesians 5:22-6:4.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, elsewhere in his ministry Jesus even commands his followers to love their enemies, not destroy them (Luke 6:27).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In any age – and not least today – there are many who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. But Jesus is telling us that unless our loyalty to him is not front and center in our lives, our claim is meaningless – “they cannot be my disciple”, he says (Luke 14:27b).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bearing one’s cross is another expectation (14:27). The sight of someone carrying a cross would have been familiar to many of Luke’s first readers. Hundreds were crucified in Galilee at the time. Speaking figuratively, Jesus requires that any of us who would follow him must put aside anything that stands in the way of their loyalty to him and honoring him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           JC Ryle (Luke: Expository Thoughts, pp167f) comments: ‘The demand which our Lord makes upon us here is particularly stringent and heart-searching. Yet it is a wise and necessary one … Ungodly fathers cannot bear to see their sons ‘taking up new views’ of religion; worldly mothers are vexed to see their daughters unwilling to enter into the gaieties of the world …
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘It is a heavy cross to disagree with those we love, and especially about spiritual things; but if this cross is to be laid upon us, we must remember that firmness and decision are true kindness.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How often has a firm but gracious resolve to follow Christ spurred family members to take Christ seriously?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two parables illustrate the need to count the cost – the tower builder and the warring king.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Anyone who decides to build a tower – it is their choice – will want to calculate the cost. To do otherwise is to invite the scorn of others and even threaten the success of the enterprise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, it is a foolish leader (king) who goes to war without evaluating the resources needed for victory. It is the wise king who, realizing he does not have the necessary resources, finds a way to secure a peace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To follow Christ truly is costly. It’s something that God’s people in every age should consider.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With the pandemic over the last two and a half years, many good Bible-believing churches are finding there is a renewed interest in the Christian faith. How important it is that when introducing men and women to the wonders of God’s grace and the hope of glory, they do not neglect to explain the cost of commitment. Too often people come into the life of a church with their own dreams and expectations – prosperity, or ‘God will let me live life the way I want’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Salt – a warning. Jesus concludes his words here with the analogy of salt. Anyone who says they are his follower and yet who lacks the qualities of true discipleship is like salt that has lost it flavor. “Salt is good,” Jesus says. However, “if salt has lost its taste how can its saltiness be restored?” he asks (14:34).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pure salt is one of the most stable compounds and therefore doesn’t lose its taste. However it is generally agreed that the common salt used in Jesus’ day was impure. It was therefore possible that the sodium chloride in the material called salt could be washed out and thus lose its salty taste. It became useless: “It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile…”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘True discipleship,’ Jesus is saying, ‘both preserves and adds flavor.’ True disciples are not bland and insipid. Rather they have a cutting edge to their lives – living a life of discipleship, no matter the cost; praying for and looking for ways to introduce others to the Lord Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Lord God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many great dangers that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: grant us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDYjn-YdnD4" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God from Keith and Kristyn Getty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/expectations/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/expectations/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 31 Aug 2022 14:27:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-31-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Indianapolis Colts Football Game Summary - 8/27/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-indianapolis-colts-football-game-summary-8-27-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/ninde_brian?_gl=1*1klgboa*_ga*MTcwMTc5OTAzNy4xNjM4OTEyMTUw*_ga_LM1Y84QLBE*MTY2MTkxMjQ1MS43MzUuMS4xNjYxOTEyNDU2LjAuMC4w"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brian Ninde
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           8/27/22 - Blessed day witnessing &amp;amp; proclaiming the Gospel at Lucas Oil Stadium today on “Amen Corner”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Indianapolis-Colts"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Indianapolis-Colts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 31 Aug 2022 02:38:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-indianapolis-colts-football-game-summary-8-27-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/8-27+SFOI+1000+Game+Summaries.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Indianapolis Colts Football Game Summary - 8/20/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-indianapolis-colts-football-game-summary-8-20-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/ninde_brian?_gl=1*1klgboa*_ga*MTcwMTc5OTAzNy4xNjM4OTEyMTUw*_ga_LM1Y84QLBE*MTY2MTkxMjQ1MS43MzUuMS4xNjYxOTEyNDU2LjAuMC4w"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brian Ninde
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/8-20-22+SFOI+1000+Football+Joseph+Tobin+Brian+Ninde+Indianapolis+Colts.jpeg" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           8/20/22 - Great Saturday sharing Christ with Colts fans at Lucas Oil. Thanks to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/joeytommytoby?__cft__[0]=AZW3HZrgiq1uGgiJGRXj0Ucm-iw9kx6L2ZPr349__yk4GUXIpUw3zH8EMTOfopbWDEi-0H8t3-LawtN_yo8KsCOzSMQG2A1Ao6w23aSZsE59jMKKmBz9xiDI6-GoBmADL3hWAFTqwyF2W7ZH8opTAAa_r9eg-5pgQ2yYl0MY5TGoOA&amp;amp;__tn__=-UC*F" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joseph Tobin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Indianapolis-Colts"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Indianapolis-Colts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 31 Aug 2022 02:23:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-indianapolis-colts-football-game-summary-8-20-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/8-20-22+SFOI+1000+Football+Joseph+Tobin+Brian+Ninde+Indianapolis+Colts.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Atlanta Falcons Game Summary - 8/27/22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-atlanta-falcons-game-summary-8-27-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/long_stirling"&gt;&#xD;
      
           S
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/long_stirling"&gt;&#xD;
      
           tirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/8-27+Stirling+Long+Atlanta+Falcons+SFOI+1000+Football.jpeg" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           8/27 - Special Report: Open Air Preaching at the Falcons pre season finale against the Jaguars. Brother Doug Renz joined me magnifying and lifting up the name of Jesus Christ. Carol my wife did a great job with one on one’s and distributing gospel tracts. It was a wonderful day laboring together for the Lord. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” Acts‬ ‭17:30-31‬ ‭KJV‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Brother
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Doug Renz
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Open Air Preaching at Dome this afternoon. Pray for us as we bring His glorious gospel to this City. “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”BRomans‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭KJV
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch video &amp;gt;&amp;gt;&amp;gt;&amp;gt; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1774376829562563" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/reel/1774376829562563
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Atlanta-Falcons"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Atlanta-Falcons
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2022 22:58:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-atlanta-falcons-game-summary-8-27-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/8-27+Stirling+Long+Atlanta+Falcons+SFOI+1000+Football.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-30-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-30-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-30-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is Pentecost?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The day of Pentecost in Acts was one of the great watershed moments in the history of redemption. What God had promised in Eden, unfolded through the pages of Old Testament revelation and secured through the finished work of Christ, He fulfilled on that day in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit was given.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The day itself was already embedded in the Jewish liturgical calendar as one of the three great annual feasts. It had various associations for the Jews—the most notable being its association with the barley harvest (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ex.%2023%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 23:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Num.%2028%3A26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Num. 28:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But what they had celebrated as God’s provision for their physical needs would now take on a whole new significance in relation to their greatest need. What began on that first Pentecost after the resurrection and ascension of Christ would mark the inauguration of the global spiritual harvest to which the Old Testament points. Many of the Jews and proselytes who had gathered in Jerusalem from around the Roman Empire that day would return to their homes as the firstfruits of God’s saving work among the nations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Given its focus on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, it would be tempting to see the Spirit as the focus of Pentecost’s significance. While this is true in part, it misses the point of what stands out so clearly in Luke’s record of what happened that day. When Peter began to preach, explaining what had happened to the disciples when the Holy Spirit came upon them, he did not preach about the Spirit, but about Jesus as the Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This shouldn’t be a surprise. Jesus had already said that when the Spirit was given, He would not draw attention to Himself, but to Jesus as Messiah (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2016%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 16:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). So, the entire thrust of Peter’s message pointed to Jesus’ credentials as the Christ for whom Israel had been waiting. And the crowd’s response to his sermon would be living proof that the new covenant epoch, ushered in through Christ’s finished work, had indeed begun.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All kinds of details embedded in that day point to its being the dawn of the next great phase in salvation history. As we have noted, the feast itself was significant—linking the physical harvest of crops to its spiritual counterpart in people’s lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus had already said that when the Spirit was given, He would not draw attention to Himself, but to Jesus as Messiah.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So too the Spirit’s gift of speaking in tongues (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%202%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 2:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), in which God empowered people to speak in languages beyond their native tongue. This enabled the disciples to proclaim the gospel to the different people groups present in Jerusalem for the feast. The curse of Babel, when God confused the languages of the human race and dispersed the people over the face of the earth (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gen.%2011%3A7%E2%80%938/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 11:7–8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), was redemptively reversed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More than this, God’s promise to Abraham, “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gen.%2012%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 12:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), was finally coming to fruition. Throughout the old covenant epoch, there were sporadic fulfilments of this pledge; but it was only through Pentecost that it began to take on its God-intended dimensions. Indeed, the scale of the response to Peter’s sermon that day—around three thousand people added to the church—was but a foretaste of what would follow in the New Testament period.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So also the gift of the Holy Spirit would be extended beyond those individuals in Old Testament times who were set apart for special office—in priestly, kingly, and prophetic ministry—to God’s people at large. Nor would the outpouring of God’s Spirit be largely restricted to those who were ethnic Jews. Peter quotes the prophet Joel, where God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%202%3A17%E2%80%9318/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 2:17–18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , cited from 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Joel%202%3A28%E2%80%9332/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joel 2:28–32
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). No barrier of sex, class, or racial background would impede the Spirit’s life-changing work or His ability to equip the saints for service.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is, however, the utterly Christ-centered character of the events of that day that provides its enduring relevance and benefit to the church through the ages. The whole thrust of Peter’s sermon—delivered with a boldness that came from the Spirit—is to lift Christ up before His listeners as the One in whom alone there is salvation. He was crucified, died, and was buried. He has also been raised according to the promise and is now “exalted at the right hand of God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%202%3A33/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 2:33
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and, along with the Father, has poured out His Spirit. It is through the Spirit’s Christ-imparting presence and power in the church through the ages that the gospel continues to go forth into the world and do its work in the hearts of those who hear.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is a very real sense in which every true church is Pentecostal—not in the sense that it needs to witness the same signs and wonders displayed that day in Jerusalem, but in the fact that the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit continues as He accompanies the gospel preached throughout the world. So too, the Spirit works in the lives of God’s people who comprise the church. In the aftermath of Pentecost in Acts, the Spirit gathered those who had professed faith into worshipping communities of the church (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%202%3A42%E2%80%9347/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 2:42–47
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), and this is true for the church in all places and all times. He is the One who not only effects salvation, but who also sanctifies God’s people in His Son. As He enfolds us into saving union with Christ, so He is the guarantor of our salvation’s being perfected in the world to come.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-is-pentecost" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-is-pentecost
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2022 16:53:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-30-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Cincinnati Bengals Game Summary '22 - Video</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-cincinnati-bengals-game-summary-22-video</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelist: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/doerman_david"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave Doerman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Video+Bengals+Game+SFOI+1000+Outreach+8-27-22.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           8/27/22 - Video from David Doerman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch it below:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelize Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We proclaim the gospel at sporting events around Cincinnati. And we do one-to-one witnessing at the University of Cincinnati. Check our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://evangelizecincinnati.com/evangelism-outreach-schedule/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelism Outreach Schedule 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           and join us as we Evangelize Cincinnati.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Cincinnati-Bengals"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Cincinnati-Bengals
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2022 03:21:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-cincinnati-bengals-game-summary-22-video</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Video+Bengals+Game+SFOI+1000+Outreach+8-27-22.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-29-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-29-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-29-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Reward of Careful Walking
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, not even the seeds or the skins.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Numbers%206:4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Numbers 6:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nazirites had taken, among other vows, one that debarred them from the use of wine. In order that they might not violate the obligation, they were forbidden to drink the vinegar of wine or strong liquors; and to make the rule even clearer, they were not to touch the unfermented juice of grapes, nor even to eat the fruit either fresh or dried. In order to secure the integrity of the vow, they were not even allowed anything that had to do with the vine; they were, in fact, to avoid the appearance of evil.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Surely this is a lesson to the Lord’s separated ones, teaching them to come away from sin in every form, to avoid not merely its grosser shapes but even its spirit and likeness. Such strict walking is much despised in these days, but rest assured, dear reader, it is the safest and happiest path. He who yields a point or two to the world is in fearful peril; he who eats the grapes of Sodom will soon drink the wine of Gomorrah. A little crevice in the seawall in Holland lets in the sea, and the gap soon swells until a province is drowned.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Worldly conformity, in any degree, is a snare to the soul and makes it more and more liable to presumptuous sins. The Nazirite who drank grape juice could not be completely certain whether or not it had fermented and consequently could not be clear in heart that his vow was intact. In a similar way the yielding, vacillating Christian cannot have a clear conscience but is constantly aware of his double standard. Doubtful things we need not wonder about; they are wrong for us. Tempting things we must not play with, but run from them speedily. Better to be sneered at as a Puritan than to be despised as a hypocrite. Careful walking may involve much self-denial, but it has pleasures of its own that are more than a sufficient reward.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/29/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/29/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 29 Aug 2022 14:59:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-29-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-26-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-26-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-26-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Greater Than Moses
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Mark%209:15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 9:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How great the difference between Moses and Jesus! When Moses had been forty days upon the mountain, he underwent a kind of transfiguration, so that his face shone with exceeding brightness, and he put a veil over it because the people were not able to look upon his glory. Not so our Savior. He had been transfigured with a greater glory than that of Moses, and yet we do not read that the people were blinded by the blaze of His countenance, but rather they were amazed and ran to Him and greeted Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The glory of the law repels, but the greater glory of Jesus attracts. Though Jesus is holy and just, yet blended with His purity there is so much truth and grace that sinners run to Him amazed at His goodness, fascinated by His love; they greet Him, become His disciples, and take Him to be their Lord and Master. Reader, it may be that just now you are blinded by the dazzling brightness of the law of God. You feel its claims on your conscience, but you cannot keep it in your life. Not that you find fault with the law; on the contrary, it commands your profoundest esteem.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Still you are not drawn by it to God; you are rather hardened in heart and tending toward desperation. So turn your eye from Moses with all his repelling splendor, and look to Jesus, resplendent with milder glories. Look upon His flowing wounds and thorn-crowned head! He is the Son of God and greater than Moses, but He is the Lord of love and more tender than the lawgiver. He bore the wrath of God and in His death revealed more of God’s justice than Sinai displayed, but that justice is now vindicated, and it is the guardian of believers in Jesus. Look, sinner, to the bleeding Savior, and as you feel the attraction of His love, run to His arms, and you will be saved.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/26/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/26/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 26 Aug 2022 20:05:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-26-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-25-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-25-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-25-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A True Fish Story
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If I asked you to draw a picture of what you believe as a Christian, what would you draw? What image would you use to confess your faith if you had only pictures?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I imagine the image that came to mind for many of us is the image of the cross or a crucifix, arguably the most well-known, identifiable image of the Christian faith, and for good reason. The image of the cross communicates the central teaching of Christianity. We preach Christ crucified for you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now, imagine what would happen if you could hop in Doc’s Delorean or the Doctor’s blue police box from and travel back in time and ask a brother or sister in Christ in the first or second century the same question. What picture might they use to confess their Christian faith?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There’s a good chance the picture they would draw for you would look something like the familiar “Jesus fish,” or the Ichthus symbol (you may also see it spelled Ichthys). The word ichthus itself comes from the Greek word for “fish.” So, what does a fish have to do with Jesus and the Christian faith? Think back to the Scriptures. What narratives and events come to mind that have to do with fish?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you trawl the Scriptures, you quickly discover that God’s word is teeming with fish stories and not the kind your uncle or grandpa told you. But true and joyful stories of God’s gracious, saving work in Christ. Think of the fifth day of creation where God created the sea creatures and said, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas and let birds multiply on the earth.” Think of Jonah in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights and Jesus’ own prediction of his death and resurrection with the sign of Jonah. Think of Jesus calling his disciples, many of whom were fishermen, saying, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Think of Jesus’ parable of a multitude of fish caught in the nets of his grace and mercy. Think of Jesus feeding the five thousand plus many more with five loaves of bread and two fish. Think of Jesus’ appearance to his disciples along the sea of Galilee after his death and resurrection, where he repeated his miraculous catch of fish miracle and ate roasted fish with them along the seashore.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All of these stories lead us, like a salmon, back upstream to the spawning grounds of this great symbol, to Jesus Christ, God’s Son, our Savior. Like a fisherman using a net to haul in a school of fish, early Christians gathered this biblical background into the meaning of the ichthus symbol. Long before the Ichthus could be found on car bumpers, tattooed on biceps, or dangling from jewelry, the early Christian church used this beloved symbol to confess Christ and their Christian faith. The Ichthus symbol was also an acronym confessing the divinity of Christ and his saving work on our behalf.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In English, the Greek is typically transliterated as ICHTHUS. Each Greek letter stood for the following.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ἰ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ησοῦς 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Χ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ρῑστός 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Θ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           εοῦ 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Υ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ἱός 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Σ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ωτήρ"
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Iēsoûs Khrīstós, Theoû Huiós, Sōtḗr
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           or
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Ichthus is a confession in picture form, a visual sermon of the gospel of Christ crucified. Christians used it to identify one another in times of grave persecution and martyrdom, and to catechize the faithful in the words and ways of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, the Savior. The history of the Ichthus symbol is the story of God’s baptized people confessing the person and work of Christ our savior, even in the darkest days of Christian persecution.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of the earliest references to the fish as a symbol of the Christian faith comes from Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215). In his work Pedagogus, book three, chapter 11, he gives the following advice to Christians on the use of symbols or images to be used on a signet ring.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “And let our seals be either a dove, or a fish, or a ship scudding before the wind, or a musical lyre, which Polycrates used, or a ship's anchor, which Seleucus got engraved as a device; and if there be one fishing, he will remember the apostle, and the children drawn out of the water.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The matter-of-fact way Clement includes the fish as a symbol strongly suggests that by the time he wrote these words the Ichthus symbol was so widely used and well known among Christians that it needed no explanation. Christians would have easily recognized and known its significance. Some have even suggested that the Ichthus symbol originated in Alexandria, Egypt due to its importance in the early Christian church and its status as a well-known seaport in the ancient world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Clement’s words “Drawn out of water,” also point us to a deeper theological meaning of the Ichthus symbol. The Ichthus was certainly a confession of Christ and his saving work, but it also became a baptismal symbol, identifying Jesus as the Big Fish and Christians as his little fish. Just as fish were drawn into the nets and out into the boat, so too, Christians are drawn out of water through Holy Baptism into Christ’s body, the Church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The early church father Tertullian (c. 160-220) rigs Baptism and the Ichthus symbol together as well. In his treatise De Baptismos, he writes,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Happy is our sacrament of water, in that, by washing away the sins of our early blindness, we are set free and admitted into eternal life! …But we, little fishes, after the example of our ΙΧΘΥΣ Jesus Christ are born in water, nor have we safety in any other way than by permanently abiding in water.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tertullian’s words are a beautiful witness to the reality that in Christ, our Big Fish, we, his little fish, are born from above in the waters of Holy Baptism, and our life as Christians is found in the promise that comes to us in the word and water of Baptism.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When you see the Ichthus, you see what Christians have seen for thousands of years, a picture that confesses, communicates, and teaches us the love of God in Christ Jesus his Son, our Savior.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Later on, in the fourth century, St. Augustine (354-430) references the Ichthus in his famous tome The City of God. “Of these five Greek words (Iesous, Christos, Theou, Uios, Soter), should you group together the letters, you would form the word ichthus, fish, the mystical name of Jesus the Christ who, in the abyss of our mortality, as though in the depths of the sea, was able to remain alive, that is, free from sin.” (The City of God 23)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From Genesis to the Gospels; from Clement of Alexandria to Augustine of Hippo; from the first century to the twenty-first century, a simple, ordinary fish has been used by God’s people to illustrate his extraordinary mercy to us in Jesus Christ our savior. When you see the Ichthus, you see what Christians have seen for thousands of years, a picture that confesses, communicates, and teaches us the love of God in Christ Jesus his Son, our Savior. It is an image that anchors believers across the centuries to Christ, our Big Fish, who unites us little fish with him in the living waters of our Baptism.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s rather amazing if you think about it and points to the wonders of God’s gift of the imagination, a symbol used by Christians in the first century and throughout history, continues to confess Christ’s person and work for us in the twenty-first century. The Ichthus, like many popular Christian symbols, adorns our lives, homes, and churches; it catechizes our imaginations with the gospel and points us to Jesus Christ, God’s Son, our Savior.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/a-true-fish-story" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/a-true-fish-story
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 25 Aug 2022 14:57:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-25-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-24-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-24-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-24-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Dinner Party...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Everyone loves a party, especially if we like the hosts and the interesting guests they always invite. Throughout his narrative Luke observes that Jesus of Nazareth was someone hosts and hostesses liked to have on their guest list.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus has always intrigued people. Even today people indicate they would love to have him on their guest list. But Jesus often proved to be an unpredictable guest, saying the unexpected in the course of a meal. And while the religious establishment were threatened by him, they kept him on their guest list – in the hope of trapping him during conversation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Luke chapter 14 we find Jesus at a dinner party in the home of a synagogue ruler, who may also have been a member of the Jewish Council (Sanhedrin) and a Pharisee. It was another occasion when the issue of Sabbath observance arose and the Pharisees there were watching him (Jesus) closely (14:1). The appearance of a man with edema (dropsy) could well have been a trap.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the same way that hosts today often have place cards for seating their guests, so too protocols existed in the ancient world – including amongst the Jewish people. And, in the same way people today sometimes try and reposition their seating to be seen with the ‘right’ people, people then maneuvered their seats (14:7).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Observing this, Jesus did what he often did in a controversial setting: he told a parable. ‘Beware,’ he warned, ‘of taking a more prestigious position, only to find yourself relocated to a lower position by the host. It is better,’ he observed, ‘to take a lowly position first, so that if the host invites you to a higher position, you will receive the greater honor’ (14:8-10).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He also used the situation to return to his overall theme of the last day and observed that on that day there will be many unexpected reversals: “All those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (14:11).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Having started to speak he continued with yet another observation, this time to his host: “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or rich neighbors; but when you give a banquet invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (14:12b-14).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This must have been a conversation stopper. We can imagine that as they were just about to eat their next mouthful, Jesus reminded them of the poor and the hungry. ‘How dare he?’ some may have thought. ‘You arrogant upstart,’ others may have said.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One man tried to salvage the situation. Latching on to the idea of the ultimate party in heaven, he responded, “Blessed is the one who will eat bread in the kingdom of God” (14:15).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was the kind of statement made by someone who liked to think he was good at conflict resolution. We get the impression that the speaker believed in life after death and was pretty sure of where he was going.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Jesus, knowing that this comment reflected religious apathy, told another story: “Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is ready now’” (14:16).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Jesus’ day two invitations were sent out to potential guests prior to an upcoming celebration. No refrigeration meant that hostesses could not always be sure of the availability of the meat they wanted; nor could they stock up at home. Hence, two invitations: the first sent out some weeks prior to the party, the second, twenty-four hours before the event.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ audience would have easily decoded that he was speaking about God’s kingdom. The Old Testament prophets had issued the first invitation to Abraham’s vast family. And doubtless his hearers expected him to tell them how they would all be part of it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But the parable took an unexpected turn with the second invitation: “Come, everything is now ready.” But there was more: “They all alike began to make excuses”. ‘The first said, “I have just bought an investment property: I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, “I have just bought five new oxen and I need to test them: please excuse me.” Another said, “I’m on my honeymoon, so I can’t come.”’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At first glance the excuses seem plausible. But they’re not. It would have been unlikely then, as today, to purchase land without first seeing it and knowing the details. Second, to purchase oxen without first testing them in a field was again most unlikely. The third excuse is the rudest. In a village community everyone would have known in advance about major events such as banquets and weddings. Furthermore, it was the height of rudeness in the Middle East to speak on social occasions about intimate relationships between men and women.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The parable exposes the way that people in every age are so focused on the interests and cares of the material world that they have no time for God. How attracted we are by the desires of our hearts and so fail to realize that there is a much richer dimension to our existence: we are creatures, designed to know the deep love of our Creator and the rich joy, beauty and delights of his eternal kingdom.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. God our Father, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as pass our understanding: pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you above all things, may obtain your promises which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHuLOdZdqs8" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           For the Cause from Keith and Kristyn Getty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/the-dinner-party/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/the-dinner-party/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 Aug 2022 16:13:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-24-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SFOI 1000 Cincinnati Bengals Game Summary '22 - No Middle Ground</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-cincinnati-bengals-game-summary-22-no-middle-ground</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Evangelist: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/partnering-evangelists-dynamic/doerman_david"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dave Doerman
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h1&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bengals Fans: No Middle Ground  #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h1&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bengals+Fans+No+Middle+Ground+Cincinnati+Bengals+Outreach+Game+Summary.jpeg" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On August 13, 2022 Bengals fans heard the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed in the open air. And they heard this declaration: “There is no middle ground”. See the one minute video below.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many heard the gospel. According to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.bengals.com/news/evan-mcpherson-dax-hill-joe-burrow-preseason-opener" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bengals.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Head Coach Zak Taylor said, “It’s as good a crowd as I’ve seen for a preseason game”. And
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/KelseyLConway/status/1558276289903067136" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Kelsey Conway
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            posted that 60,760 attended the game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We proclaim the law of Moses and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please join us in praying for fruit from this outreach. See the one minute video below.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One Minute Video: No Middle Ground
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Music by AShamaluevMusic. Website: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ashamaluevmusic.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ashamaluevmusic.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No Middle Ground
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 5:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 3:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 12:30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelize Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We proclaim the gospel at sporting events around Cincinnati. And we do one-to-one witnessing at the University of Cincinnati. Check our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://evangelizecincinnati.com/evangelism-outreach-schedule/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelism Outreach Schedule 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           and join us as we Evangelize Cincinnati.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Finally, if you are interested in sports fan outreaches in other cities, check out 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/SFOI-1000-Football" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach International
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Ref: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://evangelizecincinnati.com/bengals-fans-no-middle-ground/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://evangelizecincinnati.com/bengals-fans-no-middle-ground/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Facebook post: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://fb.watch/eXzd3C5yj2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://fb.watch/eXzd3C5yj2/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Cincinnati-Bengals"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Cincinnati-Bengals
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 Aug 2022 03:43:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/sfoi-1000-cincinnati-bengals-game-summary-22-no-middle-ground</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bengals+Fans+No+Middle+Ground+Cincinnati+Bengals+Outreach+Game+Summary.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-23-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-23-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-23-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3 Things to Remember on the Return to School
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the start of summer, it seems like summer stretches out long. Children spend their days sleeping in and staying up late. They attend camp, swim at the pool, and play with friends. They enjoy the annual family vacation, visiting new places and having new experiences. But then all of a sudden, summer comes to an end, and it’s time to return to school once again. That transition from summer to the start of school is an adjustment—for children and adults. How can we prepare for the return to all that the school year holds?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Created for Work
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s helpful to remember that summer break is just that—a break. We then return to the normal work of life. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%201/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            teaches us that God created us as His image bearers. “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth’ ” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gen.%201%3A26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 1:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). We are tasked with ruling over the created world, tending and keeping it as God’s vice-regents. And just as God worked six days and rested on the seventh, we also spend our weekdays working and then rest on the Lord’s Day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our children’s work is to attend school. As we prepare them for its return, we can use the creation account to teach them what it means to be an image bearer. In order to fulfill their callings in life, they need to learn about the world God has made. What they learn in school each day prepares them for the work God created beforehand for them to do. While it can be an adjustment to return to the work of reading, writing, and math, our children image and glorify God as they do so.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Establish a Routine
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our God is a consistent God; He does not change. Because of this, we know what to expect from Him. Not only is consistency part of His character, it’s also how He acts. He is a God of order. He established rhythms and patterns for life, including the sun which rises and sets each day, the weekly cycles of work and rest, and the yearly seasons of growth, harvest, death, and new life. All of creation lives according to the rules and laws He established. It’s why we know that birds make their nests in the spring and that water runs downhill.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our Father values consistency and as His image bearers, we reflect Him when we establish routines for our family. It’s likely your children may have switched up their schedule for the summer. Perhaps they’ve grown used to sleeping in late. Or they’ve set aside reading for more passive entertainment. Whatever summer rhythm they’ve developed, they will need your help to develop a routine suitable for the school year. This includes regular waking and sleeping times, study and play times, activity and rest times. Spiritually, this includes patterns of time together to pray and learn from God’s Word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As you develop these routines, talk about them with your child. Teach them how God is consistent in this world and in their life. Work together to create schedules and routines that help everyone accomplish what God calls them to. Discuss together what extra activities to include in the week, whether they will help or inhibit the family’s routines, and whether the additional activities bring glory to God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ground Your Family in God’s Word
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Moses prepared God’s people to enter the promised land, he exhorted them to remember God’s Word: “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. For it is no empty word for you, but your very life. . .” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Deut.%2032%3A46%E2%80%9347/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deut. 32:46–47
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). As Christians, we know that God’s Word is the source of life and truth, yet in the craziness of daily life it’s often neglected for the sake of pressing things like getting out the door on time or finishing homework before bed. Yet our children cannot learn about the world God created apart from knowing Him. Math, science, and history unrooted from the God who created all things holds little value. We need to fill our children’s minds and hearts with the truth of who God is and what He has done. This equips them to separate truth from falsehood. It helps them develop a biblical worldview through which to filter all that they hear and see. It feeds their souls, helping them grow in their knowledge of the One who created them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As you start a new school year, incorporate Bible reading and memorization into your day. Mealtimes or evenings before bed are ideal. Use these times to talk about your children’s day, what they learned, and the interactions they had with others. Help them think through and consider how God’s Word intersects with their daily lives. What might the gospel say to how they respond to another child being mean? Or to something a teacher said that is untrue? Or to a situation that seems unfair? As you have these conversations, they will learn that God’s Word is the source of truth for all of life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The transition from summer to the return to school creates opportunities to teach our children about the God who made them. As we get back into the fall routine, may we seek to image God in our work and rest, in our schedules and routines, and in our dependence upon His Word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/return-to-school" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/return-to-school
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Aug 2022 15:03:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-23-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-22-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-22-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-22-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Unsearchable Riches
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The unsearchable riches of Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Ephesians%203:8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians 3:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My Master has riches beyond the calculation of arithmetic, the measurement of reason, the dream of imagination, or the eloquence of words. They are unsearchable! You may look and study and ponder, but Jesus is a greater Savior than you think Him to be even when your thoughts are at their best. My Lord is more ready to pardon than you are to sin, more able to forgive than you are to transgress.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My Master is more willing to supply your needs than you are to confess them. Do not tolerate small thoughts of the Lord Jesus. When you put the crown on His head, you will only crown Him with silver when He deserves gold. My Master has riches of happiness to bestow upon you now. He can make you to lie down in green pastures and lead you beside still waters. There is no music like His music that He, the Shepherd, plays for His sheep as they lie down at His feet. There is no love like His; neither earth nor heaven can match it. To know Christ and to be found in Him is real life and true joy. My Master does not treat His servants meanly; He gives to them the way a king gives to a king. He gives them two heavens—a heaven below in serving Him here, and a heaven above in delighting in Him forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His unsearchable riches will be known best in eternity. On the way to heaven He will give you all you need. He will defend you and provide for you en route, but it will be at the end of your journey when you will hear the songs of triumph, the shouts of salvation, and you will have a face-to-face view of the glorious and beloved One. “The unsearchable riches of Christ”! This is the tune for the minstrels of earth and the song for the musicians of heaven. Lord, teach us more and more of Jesus, and we will declare the good news to others.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/22/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/22/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Aug 2022 16:10:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-22-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-19-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-19-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-19-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You Are My Refuge
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2031:4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 31:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our spiritual foes belong to the serpent’s brood and seek to ensnare us by subtlety. This prayer presupposes the possibility of the believer being caught like a bird. The catcher does his work so skillfully that simple souls are soon surrounded by the net. The request is that even out of Satan’s snares the captive may be delivered; this is a proper petition, and one that can be granted: eternal love can rescue the saint from between the jaws of the lion and out of the depths of hell. It may need a sharp pull to save a soul from the net of temptations and a mighty pull to extricate a man from the snares of malicious cunning, but the Lord is equal to every emergency, and the most skillfully placed nets of the hunter will never be able to hold His chosen ones. There will be grief for those who are so clever at net laying; those who tempt others shall be destroyed themselves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “For you are my refuge.” What a wonderful encouragement is found in these few words! How joyfully may we encounter toils, and how cheerfully may we endure sufferings when we can lay hold upon the strength of the Lord. Divine power will thwart all the endeavors of our enemies, confound their politics, and frustrate their foolish tricks. Happy is the man who has such matchless might engaged upon his side. Our own strength would serve us poorly when trapped in the nets of our cunning enemy, but the Lord’s refuge is always available; we have only to ask, and we will find it near at hand. If by faith we are depending solely on the strength of the mighty God of Israel, then our dependence may become the occasion of our prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord, evermore Thy face we seek:
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tempted we are, and poor, and weak;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Keep us with lowly hearts, and meek.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let us not fall. Let us not fall.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/19/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/19/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 19 Aug 2022 14:05:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-19-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The World Games Outreach '22 Game Summary - Rich</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/the-world-games-outreach-22-game-summary-rich</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We lead them to the beauty and glory of Christ but only the Holy Spirit can convict, regenerate, and convert them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ~ Al Baker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Rich+Suplita+what+is+evangelism2.jpg+.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rich Suplita
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Pics from the World Games Outreach
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/the-world-games-july-7---17#gamesummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/the-world-games-july-7---17#gamesummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 19 Aug 2022 03:09:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/the-world-games-outreach-22-game-summary-rich</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Rich+Suplita+what+is+evangelism2.jpg+.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The World Games Outreach '22 Game Summary - Day 2</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/the-world-games-outreach-22-game-summary-day-2</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We lead them to the beauty and glory of Christ but only the Holy Spirit can convict, regenerate, and convert them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ~ Al Baker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+2nd+day+of+preaching+Al+Baker.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Al Baker -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Update on Second Day of Preaching at the World Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eight of us gathered on Friday to preach at the Plaza and Legacy Arena for various athletic competitions. The crowds were pretty slim yesterday though today should be much bigger. That's because Sumo wrestling is to occur today at the Boutwell Auditorium. This event is sold out. I guess lots of people want to see this one. We have men there this morning and afternoon to cover both sessions of the event.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we preached yesterday I was once again struck by the apathy of most people as we proclaim the excellencies of Christ, the One and only Savior. I saw no hostility or antagonism. Mostly what I saw was indifference. We warn people of impending judgment in hell if they do not repent, but that does not seem to cause them any angst at all. We proclaim the wonder of sins forgiven and the hope of eternal life in heaven and this seems to do nothing for them either. Why is that? Because they are dead in the sins. Dead people have no hunger, no thirst, no conscience.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The common problem, it seems to me, of many street preachers is to become hardened to the apathy of the people on the street, to fall back on the doctrine of election and say, "Well, I guess they are not elect. There is nothing I can do about it." Paul the apostle laid down marvelous truth about election, "God hardens whom He desires and He softens whom He desires. Yet he then says that he has great sorrow and unceasing grief for his kinsman the Jews.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was once doing door to door evangelism with Paul Golden and Paul presented the gospel to an older woman who seemed to be really be tracking with Paul as he spoke of sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come. We both thought she would call on the name of the Lord to save her. When Paul asked if she would like to do so, she politely said, "No." As we moved to the next door I saw Paul begin to weep. Paul Golden believes in election but he also has a burden for souls. Pray that we will not become hardened but have the love of Jesus on our hearts, on our faces, in our eyes, and in our voices as we preach the gospel today.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/the-world-games-july-7---17#gamesummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/the-world-games-july-7---17#gamesummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Aug 2022 22:58:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/the-world-games-outreach-22-game-summary-day-2</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+2nd+day+of+preaching+Al+Baker.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The World Games Outreach '22 Game Summary - 11 days</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/the-world-games-outreach-22-game-summary-11-days</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We lead them to the beauty and glory of Christ but only the Holy Spirit can convict, regenerate, and convert them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ~ Al Baker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+The+last+day+of+11days+here+at+the+World+Games+in+Birmingham-+Alabama+Don+-22Stonewall-22+Karns+preaching+to+the+crowds+for+the+closing+ceremony+now..png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mike Stockwell
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            is with Anne Marie Corbett at Protective Stadium, Birmingham, AL. The last day of 11 days here at the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Don "Stonewall" Karns
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            preaching to the crowds for the closing ceremony now.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/The+last+day+of+11days+here+at+the+World+Games+in+Birmingham-+Alabama+Don+-22Stonewall-22+Karns+preaching+to+the+crowds+for+the+closing+ceremony+now..jpeg" alt="what is evangelism Al Baker World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/the-world-games-july-7---17#gamesummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/the-world-games-july-7---17#gamesummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Aug 2022 22:25:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/the-world-games-outreach-22-game-summary-11-days</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+The+last+day+of+11days+here+at+the+World+Games+in+Birmingham-+Alabama+Don+-22Stonewall-22+Karns+preaching+to+the+crowds+for+the+closing+ceremony+now..png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The World Games Outreach '22 Game Summary - Joshua</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/the-world-games-outreach-22-game-summary-joshua</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We lead them to the beauty and glory of Christ but only the Holy Spirit can convict, regenerate, and convert them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ~ Al Baker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Tubbs+preaching+Christ+at+the+Kick+The+World+Games+what+is+evangelism.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mike Stockwell
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            is at Boutwell Memorial Auditorium. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joshua Tubbs
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            preaching Christ at the Kick Boxing World Games in Birmingham, Alabama now.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Tubbs+preaching+Christ+at+the+Kick+The+World+Games+what+is+evangelism.jpeg" alt="what is evangelism Al Baker World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/the-world-games-july-7---17#gamesummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/the-world-games-july-7---17#gamesummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Aug 2022 22:21:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/the-world-games-outreach-22-game-summary-joshua</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Tubbs+preaching+Christ+at+the+Kick+The+World+Games+what+is+evangelism.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The World Games Outreach '22 Game Summary - Example</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/the-world-games-outreach-22-game-summary-example</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We lead them to the beauty and glory of Christ but only the Holy Spirit can convict, regenerate, and convert them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ~ Al Baker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Al+Baker+is+example+World+Games+here+in+Birmingham-+Alabama+now..png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Mike Stockwell
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Al Baker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            is an example of how Gospel proclamation turns into Gospel conversations here at the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama now.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Al+Baker+is+example+World+Games+here+in+Birmingham-+Alabama+now..jpeg" alt="what is evangelism Al Baker World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/the-world-games-july-7---17#gamesummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/the-world-games-july-7---17#gamesummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Aug 2022 22:17:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/the-world-games-outreach-22-game-summary-example</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Al+Baker+is+example+World+Games+here+in+Birmingham-+Alabama+now..png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The World Games Outreach '22 Game Summary - Stonewall</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/the-world-games-outreach-22-game-summary-stonewall</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We lead them to the beauty and glory of Christ but only the Holy Spirit can convict, regenerate, and convert them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ~ Al Baker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Stonewall+Karns+preaching+Christ+to+fans+The+World+Games+what+is+evangelism.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mike Stockwell
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            is at Boutwell Memorial Auditorium in Birmingham, AL. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Don "Stonewall" Karns
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            preaching Christ to fans of the sumo wrestling event here at the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama now.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stonewall+Karns+preaching+Christ+to+fans+The+World+Games+what+is+evangelism.jpeg" alt="what is evangelism Al Baker World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/the-world-games-july-7---17#gamesummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/the-world-games-july-7---17#gamesummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Aug 2022 22:12:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/the-world-games-outreach-22-game-summary-stonewall</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Stonewall+Karns+preaching+Christ+to+fans+The+World+Games+what+is+evangelism.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The World Games Outreach '22 Game Summary - Preaching</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/the-world-games-outreach-22-game-summary-preaching</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We lead them to the beauty and glory of Christ but only the Holy Spirit can convict, regenerate, and convert them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ~ Al Baker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Al+Baker+preaching+Christ+at+the+World+Games+here+in+Birmingham-+Alabama+now.+what+is+evangelism.png" alt="what is evangelism with Al Baker at the World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mike Stockwell
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Al Baker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            preaching Christ at the World Games here in Birmingham, Alabama now.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Al Baker
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Report - The opening ceremony of the World Games in Birmingham began last night at the Protective Stadium. I have not heard the number of people in attendance but I would say at least 25,000. There were ten of us preaching and handing out gospel tracts and seeking opportunities to speak one on one with people. Last night we had Mike Stockwell, Robert Gray, Don Karns, Bill Adams, John Parsons, Paul Golden, Joshua Tubbs, Walter Brough, Larry Sullivan and me .We will be back today and a few others plan to join us this afternoon. We preached in several different spots around the stadium and the Plaza which is a really nice venue underneath the Interstate bridge. We had pretty free access to preach wherever we wished and the people were very respectful.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some wonder "why open air preaching. Does it do any good?" Well, we do this because Jesus commands us to preach His gospel to every creature. If everyone went to church and heard faithful preaching then I suppose open air preaching would not be necessary. We know, of course, that very few go to church. Some ask, "How many people do you lead to Christ?" I say, "Everyone who hears us." We lead them to the beauty and glory of Christ but only the Holy Spirit can convict, regenerate, and convert them. And we do it because Jesus is worthy of our praise and worship and nothing is better than lifting His name anywhere we can.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Al+Baker+preaching+Christ+at+the+World+Games+here+in+Birmingham-+Alabama+now..jpeg" alt="what is evangelism Al Baker World Games Outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/the-world-games-july-7---17#gamesummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/the-world-games-july-7---17#gamesummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Aug 2022 21:46:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/the-world-games-outreach-22-game-summary-preaching</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Al+Baker+preaching+Christ+at+the+World+Games+here+in+Birmingham-+Alabama+now.+what+is+evangelism.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-18-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-18-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-18-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On Losing One's Life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Mark%208%3A35/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 8:35
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “You have died and your life is hid with Christ in God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Col.%203%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 3:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whoever would save her life shall lose it; and whoever loses her life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. An imperious word! I expect there is no more difficult word, no word harder to slip by or around than this. Oh yes, I, like you, have heard the sermons which try, by hook or by crook, to reduce them to manageable proportions. Countless sermons about giving one's life: self-sacrifice, spending your life until it’s all gone, giving your all, pouring out the cup of devotion till its empty, and so on and so on.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But, you see, it won’t do. When it comes down to it, all too often such things just turn out to be inverse attempts to save one’s life. And on the basis of the text, I can promise you one thing: if you set out to save your life by whatever stratagem, you will lose it. It won’t do. Oh yes, there is indeed a place for such things, and they will in their way, enrich our lives and the lives of others.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But our text doesn’t speak of giving your life. It speaks of losing it. Just losing it. Can you imagine that? Just losing it? There are probably all sorts of ways I could give my life. If I give it I can to some extent stay in charge. I can say, “See, I am giving my life. Isn't that something?” But how shall I lose it? If I give my body to be burned, St. Paul says, and have not love, it profits me nothing. Even the martyr’s supreme act of self-giving could be nothing but a supreme act of self-serving.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But our text doesn’t speak of giving your life. It speaks of losing it. Just losing it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And as if that wasn't already enough, the path narrows even more. Even losing one’s life could be to no avail. One might lose one’s life, I suppose, in lots of ways. One might just trifle it away. Or, like the sheep, one might just wander off. Or the noblest being, as the gospels tell us, to lose one’s life for others, or even one's enemies. Not so here. Whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s, Jesus says, shall save it. But how shall I do that? How shall I lose my life for the gospel's sake? Surely the gospel doesn’t make such demands?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now I can’t say, I expect, just in what way you will be led to lose your life. But I do know one thing. If you are going to lose your life for the gospel’s sake, you must begin by hearing it. And if you listen closely you will hear some strange and marvelous things. For instance, that other word we read from Colossians. Did you hear that announcement? “You have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God!” Think of that! Is that not wild?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           St. Paul seems always to speak that way about our dying. It’s past tense. It’s over. You have died. You're through! If Christ died for all, then all have died. A remarkable circumstance! The death is never a project to be completed, a task to be undertaken, a way to be traversed. It’s over. Christ has done even that – indeed, especially that – for us. He has died for us. It seems we can’t even do that well. He does it for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But I suppose in that case, we might tend to feel even a little bit cheated. After all the heavy talk about losing one’s life and dying to self and all that, now we’re suddenly told it’s over? Done for us? Is this not to spiritualize the whole business? The old being in us, of course, thrills to hear the uncompromising summons to die for whatever great cause is worthy enough for attention – even if the old being has no intention of actually doing it! And having read the sermon title today, you might expect to hear this martial call to battle. But now, suddenly, to be told it’s too late and that it’s all over is too much. It’s something like the villain in the old melodramas crying out when unmasked at the end: “Curses! Foiled again!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To lose one’s life for the gospel’s sake is, of course, the most difficult thing for the old being in us to bear. But that, surely, is what is at stake here. For God is not interested in death. God is interested in resurrection, in new life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/on-losing-ones-life" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/on-losing-ones-life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Aug 2022 15:06:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-18-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-17-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-17-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hypocrisy...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No one likes a hypocrite. The English word hypocrite has its origin in the Greek word for actor and like actors, hypocrites typically love the applause of the crowd – as they say one thing and do the opposite
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come with me to a scene we find in Luke’s Gospel as Jesus traveled towards Jerusalem. The details speak of its historical authenticity – a woman crippled with an incurable sickness and a pompous leader of a synagogue with his high-minded rule-keeping. The scene unfolds in Luke chapter 13, verses 10 following.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Teaching in a synagogue one Sabbath, Jesus noticed a badly crippled woman, bowed and helpless – possibly with spondylitis deformans. It may be her infirmity itself drew attention or she may have used it as an excuse to be noticed. Certainly she had a problem.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke the physician tells us that a spirit – an evil spirit – had caused this physical infirmity for eighteen years. Inviting her to come over to him, no doubt so that everyone could see, Jesus said to her, “Woman you are set free from your ailment” (13:12). Luke tells us that Jesus laid his hands on her and immediately she was able to stand up straight again. Feeling strength and health in her body, the woman’s first response was to praise, glorify God (13:13).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The moment of joy, however, was brought to an abrupt halt when the synagogue ruler angrily stepped in: ‘You have six other days in the week for work. You are not to practice medicine on the Sabbath,’ was the force of his harsh words (13:14).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Jesus was not deterred. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? Ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the Sabbath day?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For Jesus, her healing symbolized something more than God’s power and compassion at work. It symbolized her release from the power of sin and evil. Furthermore, in saying that it was right to heal on the Sabbath, Jesus was pointing out that the Sabbath was consecrated for the ‘good and proper end’ of creation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two parables that follow underline this (13:18-20). Both highlight the prolific and pervasive growth of God’s kingdom. The parable of the mustard seed shows how, from a tiny insignificant beginning, God’s kingdom would become immense. From the modest beginning of twelve men, and one of them a traitor, in a tiny province in the Roman Empire, would grow a group numbering millions upon millions. The final return of God’s king is in mind.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you have ever made bread, you will know how the yeast finds its way through the dough, doubling its size or more, if left long enough. Similarly, God’s kingdom will find its way right through society, into the lives of insignificant men and women as well as into the corridors of political and economic power.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The healing of the crippled woman was a sign of God’s power and of Jesus’ authority. It was a sign of the decision God had made: to liberate men and women from their bondage to sickness, to sin and to Satan. This was God’s purpose.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was the choice Jesus had made. He had come to liberate men and women from their slavery to self and to sin. And God’s vision is big. Countless millions will be affected. We can be completely confident about this.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And look how Jesus treated this crippled woman. She was a nobody, an outcast, and yet he was prepared to put his reputation on the line for her. Ignoring the potential reaction of the religious elite, he made available for her the benefits of the kingdom of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What an encouragement this is for us. Everyone is acceptable. It doesn’t matter who we are: there are no exceptions. And that is why there will be many surprises on the final day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer. Lord God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many great dangers that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always stand upright: grant us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=936BapRFHaQ" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           He Will Hold Me Fast from Keith and Kristyn Getty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/hypocrisy/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/hypocrisy/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 17 Aug 2022 12:15:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-16-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-16-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-16-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is Meditation?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eastern religions often encourage their practitioners to “empty” themselves through meditation in order to achieve enlightenment or lasting peace and harmony. Such worldviews often emphasize that any attempt to focus on a particular mental object (someone or something) outside ourselves will likely interfere with the desired goal of meditation—an emptiness of mind or an altered state of consciousness. We are to turn within, they tell us, to achieve a sense of inner peace that the world around us constantly denies to us. We are to find enlightenment through the paradox of self-emptying.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On the contrary, a Christian approach to meditation cautions us about turning within ourselves precisely because we know what we will find when we do so—all sorts of sins and self-righteous judgments pronounced upon others (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gen.%206%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 6:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2017%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 17:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Our hearts are dark (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%201%3A21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 1:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ); our minds are filled with all kinds of lusts, greed, and mental futility (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Eph.%204%3A17%E2%80%9319/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 4:17–19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Try as we will, we will not be completely emptied of such things until we are glorified. Thankfully, we can confess these things to God and receive forgiveness (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20John%201%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 1:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Yet a Christian must ultimately strive to think about and meditate upon a reality outside ourselves, namely a Creator-Redeemer who is both personal and distinct from the world He has made and who is revealed to us in the so-called “two books”—the natural order and the Word of God (cf. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%2019/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christian forms of meditation are closely associated with prayer. Prayer is a conversation with another to whom we turn—someone outside ourselves. We pray to God the Father, through the mediation of Jesus Christ in His role as intercessor between God and His people (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Tim.%202%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Tim. 2:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), in the power of the Holy Spirit (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%208%3A12%E2%80%9317/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 8:12–17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). There is no possibility of prayer if we turn within. Who will answer me? Am I praying to myself? What if I get an answer? That is a sign of much deeper trouble.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Simply turning within ourselves offers no enduring hope for the relief from those stresses, pains, and frustrations that decidedly Eastern-religion practitioners of meditation are seeking. We need a Savior greater than ourselves, who, crucified for our sins and raised from the dead, has ascended to the Father’s right hand where He lives to make intercession for His people (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Heb.%207%3A25/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 7:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Such a Savior can and does hear our pleas, and He answers when we cry out to Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christian approaches to meditation focus on filling the mind with the content of God’s self-revelation. Christians meditate by reciting Scripture, confessing sin, and reflecting on the promise of the forgiveness of that sin available to us through the merits of Jesus Christ. We can reflect upon the deep truths of the Christian faith such as the Holy Trinity or the various attributes of God as revealed in His Word. We can even meditate on the simple joys arising from our union with Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit stirs us to cry out “Abba! Father!” when we think upon these things. Christian meditation is not the fruit of an empty mind, but the mind filled with God’s Word, thinking of the joy of God’s favor toward us in Christ, and the corresponding sense of wonder at God’s presence through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The practice of meditation is a common theme in Scripture and is closely tied to private worship and devotion to the things of the Lord. The word “meditate” appears twenty-three times in the Bible, nineteen of which are in the Psalms. For example, the Psalter opens with a reference to delighting in the law of God, a revelation of His will and attributes (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%201%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 1:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The image given is of someone mumbling or speaking softly to themselves as they contemplate the beauty and perfection of God’s law. The one who meditates on the will and wonders of God is blessed, unlike the one whose inner voice scoffs at God’s Word. A biblical approach to meditation is directly tied to the things revealed to us by a Creator-Redeemer. We will never find Him by looking within ourselves apart from His Word. We can only find Him through what He has made and in what He has said and done for us in Jesus Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here, too, is the explanation of why a Christian approach to meditation is not associated with any particular physical posture (although one thinks of kneeling since it is often associated with prayer), nor is a Christian to be concerned with seeking altered states of consciousness through various self-denying rituals. Christian meditation focuses on the glories and mercies of God wherever we may be and in the midst of whatever we may be doing. We must look outside ourselves to find the glories of God, not within. To look for enlightenment within is to turn away from the Creator-Redeemer who has made all things, redeems us from the consequences of our sin, and who fills our hearts with an inexpressible joy and wonder. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/meditation" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/meditation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2022 13:43:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-16-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-15-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-15-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-15-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stone or Flesh?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And I will give you a new heart . . . A heart of flesh.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Ezekiel%2036:26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ezekiel 36:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A “heart of flesh” is known by its tenderness concerning sin. To have indulged a foul imagination or to have allowed a wild desire to linger even for a moment is quite enough to make a heart of flesh grieve before the Lord. The heart of stone calls a great iniquity nothing, but not so the heart of flesh.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If to the right or left I stray,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           That moment, Lord, reprove;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And let me weep my life away,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           For having grieved Thy love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The heart of flesh is tender to God’s will. Unlike a strong heart that refuses to bow before God’s dictates, when the heart of flesh is given, the will quivers like an aspen leaf in every breath of heaven and bows like a willow in every breeze of God’s Spirit. The natural will is cold, hard iron, which refuses to be hammered into form, but the renewed will, like molten metal, is quickly molded by the hand of grace. In the fleshy heart there is a tenderness of the affections. The hard heart does not love the Redeemer, but the renewed heart burns with affection toward Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The hard heart is selfish and coldly demands, “Why should I weep for sin? Why should I love the Lord?” But the heart of flesh says, “Lord, You know that I love You; help me to love You more!” There are many privileges of this renewed heart. It is here the Spirit dwells; it is here that Jesus lives. It is fitted to receive every spiritual blessing, and every blessing comes to it. It is prepared to yield every heavenly fruit to the honor and praise of God, and therefore the Lord delights in it. A tender heart is the best defense against sin and the best preparation for heaven. A renewed heart stands on its watchtower looking for the coming of the Lord Jesus. Do you have this heart of flesh?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/15/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/15/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 15 Aug 2022 15:13:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-15-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-12-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-12-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-12-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reflections on a Rainbow
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The bow is seen in the clouds.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Genesis%209:14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 9:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The rainbow, the symbol of the covenant with Noah, foreshadows our Lord Jesus, who is the Lord’s witness to the people. When may we expect to see the token of the covenant? The rainbow is only to be seen painted upon a cloud. When the sinner’s conscience is dark with clouds, when he remembers his past sin and mourns and laments before God, Jesus Christ is revealed to him as the covenant Rainbow, displaying all the glorious hues of the divine character and declaring peace. To the believer, when his trials and temptations surround him, it is sweet to behold the person of our Lord Jesus Christ—to see Him bleeding, living, rising, and pleading for us. God’s rainbow is hung over the cloud of our sins, our sorrows, and our woes, to prophesy deliverance. By itself a cloud does not give a rainbow; there must be the crystal drops to reflect the light of the sun.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, our sorrows must not only threaten, but they must really fall upon us. There would have been no Christ for us if the vengeance of God had been merely a threatening cloud: Punishment must fall in terrible drops upon Him. Until there is a real anguish in the sinner’s conscience, there is no Christ for him; until the chastisement that he feels becomes grievous, he cannot see Jesus. But there must also be a sun; for clouds and drops of rain do not make rainbows unless the sun shines. Beloved, our God, who is as the sun to us, always shines, but we do not always see Him—clouds hide His face; but no matter what drops may be falling or what clouds may be threatening, if He shines there will be a rainbow at once.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is said that when we see the rainbow, the shower is over. It is certain that when Christ comes, our troubles withdraw; when we look on Jesus, our sins vanish, and our doubts and fears subside. When Jesus walks upon the waters of the sea, how profound the calm!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/12/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/12/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 12 Aug 2022 13:43:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-12-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-11-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-11-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-11-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Trusting God in Trial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With an entire three chapters dedicated to him in 2 Kings, it’s safe to say that Judah’s King Hezekiah is a figure worth paying attention to. He was the “son of Ahaz,” who, if you recall, was a detestable character, which makes it all the more remarkable that his son, Hezekiah, is regarded so highly. Hezekiah served as one of the last of the great kings of Judah. He was a beacon of hope and light against a bleak background of sin and darkness and ruin. But there’s particularly pivotal incident during his reign which comes to define his career as Judah’s commander-in-chief. That is, of course, the invasion of Judah by the Assyrian king Sennacherib.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This, indeed, is a historically and biblically consequential event, not the least of which because it’s recorded three times throughout Scripture (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2018%E2%80%9419/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 18—19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Chron.%2032%3A1%E2%80%9319/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Chron. 32:1–19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Isa.%2036%E2%80%9437/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 36—37
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Around this time, the world’s powers were going through a “reshuffling.” After the ruler of Assyria Sargon II died, a revolution ignited among several Assyrian occupied states. Judah is, of course, among them, with Hezekiah leading the charge to bring devotion to Yahweh back into the limelight (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2018%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 18:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). In response, the newly crowned king Sennacherib launched a massive campaign to regain control over those states and re-assert Assyrian dominance. In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2018%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 18:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Hezekiah finds himself face-to-face with an enraged overlord who was out for blood. How does Hezekiah respond when the enemy came knocking on his door? I want to consider that, and consider how we ought to respond when we find ourselves in similar times. No, we might not have foreign tyrants asking us to surrender — but there are definitely times when the enemy comes knocking, and how we respond makes all the difference.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How does Hezekiah respond when the enemy came knocking on his door?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Trials are revealing
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hezekiah is made aware of Sennacherib’s crusade and decides it would be in his best interest to apologize. He sends his betrayed sovereign a note, which in modern vernacular might simply read, “Oops, my bad.” He reneges on his earlier rebellion efforts and offers to send the Assyrian overlord a blank check to sweeten the deal (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2018%3A14%E2%80%9316/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 18:14–16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This is a stunning contrast from the Hezekiah of earlier who brazenly struck down idols in the name of faith to Jehovah (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2018%3A3%E2%80%937/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 18:3–7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This Hezekiah caves in the face of immense trial and mounting political pressure. Sennacherib responds to Hezekiah’s apology letter, though, by sending some of his court officials to the gates of Jerusalem (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2018%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 18:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He wasn’t looking for more tribute money. He was looking for Hezekiah’s unqualified surrender.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A conference ensues between the three officials of Assyria and three officials from Judah. And as the spokesman for Sennacherib speaks up, he asks a pointed question: “Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2018%3A19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 18:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He then proceeds to reveal that Judah’s loyalties weren’t fully or solely with the Lord. Their confidence was somewhere else, with someone else. Namely, with their new infatuation with the chariots of Egypt (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2018%3A20%E2%80%9325/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 18:20–25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). “Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, even upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2018%3A21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 18:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There’s a boatload of irony in that revelation, primarily because it was the very chariots of Egypt from which Yahweh had delivered his people all those ages ago in the Exodus. Now, those same chariots had become their source of confidence. And it’s not as though God didn’t warn his people of the pitfalls of trusting in chariots. The eminently wise King David once sang, “A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%2033%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 33:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). In those very hours, the prophet Isaiah, likewise, offered some choice words for Hezekiah’s “new deal” with Egypt (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Isa.%2030%3A1%E2%80%933%3B%2031%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 30:1–3; 31:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). For whatever reason, though, Hezekiah had fallen in love with the idea of having Egypt in his corner — perhaps not “replacing” his trust in Jehovah, but, it would seem, concomitant with that trust.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s the epitome of irony, then, that it took an Assyrian mouthpiece to call him out on that. Indeed, perhaps the most severe indictment on this crisis of faith in Hezekiah’s life is just the fact that an Assyrian messenger appeared to possess more wisdom than he did. This allegiance with Egypt would prove to be fateful — and that’s coming from both an Assyrian spokesman and a prophet of Yahweh (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2018%3A21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 18:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Isa.%2030%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 30:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We might talk about devotion and faith and going to church and all that, but that’s for show.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are times, I think, when that’s exactly what we need. A good “Assyrian smack in the face” is precisely what the doctor ordered to jolt us into realizing that our faith has been swindled. That we’ve fallen victim to trusting in our devices and programs more than the Lord himself. Such is what trials often do: they reveal that our trust might not be what we think it is. We might talk about devotion and faith and going to church and all that, but that’s for show. To keep up appearances. It’s lip-service. It’s putting on airs. The trials that come about often deflate such parodies of faith, revealing our foolish trust in something other than God himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Trials are deceiving
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sennacherib’s spokesman talked a big game, and, interestingly enough, he was talking in Hebrew. Hezekiah’s officers aren’t big fans of that, and plead for him to use some other language (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2018%3A26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 18:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This they did, no doubt, to keep those who might have been earshot from freaking out over the Assyrian’s threats. But the spokesman continues his rant just the same, raising his voice just so that those “on the wall” could hear every devastating syllable (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2018%3A27%E2%80%9335/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 18:27–35
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The gist of his message is the utter folly of trusting in Hezekiah or his Lord. “Don’t listen to Hezekiah, he’s a deceiver who worships at the feet of a deceitful God! Your king is a liar, and so is his Lord!” Despite being voiced by his spokesman, these are, indeed, the words of Sennacherib, cluing us in to his thinking and perspective.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In short, Sennacherib saw himself as a god. He poses as one who could give the people of Judah all that they ever wanted, even putting a “positive spin” on the idea of Judah’s citizens being displaced and “resettled.” Unlike Hezekiah, Sennacherib argues his leadership would bring abundance back to Judah. The spokesman pounds Sennacherib’s chest for him, with a smug, self-satisfied fist (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2018%3A33%E2%80%9335/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 18:33–35
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). “Who would dare resist the king of Assyria? What other god can hold a candle to him?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sennacherib himself, though, echoes this eye-brow-raising bravado in a letter addressed to King Hezekiah (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2019%3A8%E2%80%9313/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 19:8–13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The intent of which is to stir up a surge of doubt and distrust in the Lord of all things. “He can’t deliver you! He can’t rescue you! Resist me and you’ll end up like everyone else!” Such is Sennacherib’s message.And though the text doesn’t say this, I imagine Hezekiah trembled something fierce in those hours. This is Sennacherib, Lord of the Assyrians, who weren’t exactly known for being good-natured folks. Not only has Hezekiah’s faith been exposed to be not quite as sturdy as he might have thought, but also there’s good reason to doubt Yahweh’s ability to intervene. Why would he come to the aid of such a royal screw-up?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Trials are deceiving. They can swindle our hope and our trust, duping us into thinking that our God is incapable of and disinterested in delivering us. This is why the devil works overtime on believers who are enduring seasons of immense trial. He knows he can’t “un-redeem” you; that’s beyond him. But he can leave you defeated. And there’s nothing more defeating than looking up in the middle of a trial and thinking that God’s not up to the task. That he’s taken his hand of you because of what you’ve done. Sometimes the devil commandeers our trials to try and convince of just that. He wants you doubting and distrusting who God is and what God can do. He does this by flaunting your failures in your face, and by convincing you that failure makes trusting God absurd. “How silly! You think God’s gonna defend you now? After what you’ve done?” Trials can be deceiving. What are we to do?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Trials are humbling
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After Sennacherib’s spokesman finishes his spiel, the officials from Hezekiah’s court are silent. They don’t offer any kind of answer on the spot. Instead, they return Hezekiah’s throne room to mourn over their present situation (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2018%3A36%E2%80%9337/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 18:36–37
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And here, I think, something “clicked” for Judah’s king. He finally realizes how foolish and faithless he’d been, and immediately sends for the prophet Isaiah’s counsel (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2019%3A1%E2%80%934/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 19:1–4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This moment had proven too great for him. He had no reserves left. But maybe — just maybe — Yahweh would take action, considering how egregiously his name had been reproached.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah sends his reply to the troubled king: “Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2019%3A6%E2%80%937/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 19:6–7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Unlike Hezekiah’s “maybe,” the prophet’s words are sure and certain. His “thus saith the Lord” is a hopeful reminder that Yahweh’s Word is the only word that matters. And he will, of his own accord, deliver his people out of the hands of Assyria. They only needed to believe.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s a prayer of humble belief, of desperate faith. And those are exactly the sorts of prayers God loves to answer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the reception of these words, Hezekiah does what he should’ve done all along, he prays (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2019%3A14%E2%80%9319/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 19:14–19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Sermons could be spent unpacking this prayer, but, suffice to say, his words illustrate how humbled he was in the face of this trial. He confesses his predicament to the Lord, pleading with him to take action on his behalf, if for no other reason than to uphold the glory of his name as the One True God (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2019%3A19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 19:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). “God, I need your deliverance,” he seems to say, “but your glory is more important! Work out our deliverance so that others might see who the One True God really is!” It’s a prayer of humble belief, of desperate faith. And those are exactly the sorts of prayers God loves to answer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And answer he does through his prophet, who delivers another “thus saith the Lord” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2019%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 19:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Once again, Isaiah’s message back to Hezekiah is worthy of a sermon all on its own. The prophet begins by putting the king of Assyria in his place, reminding him of who it was that he was defying so outrageously. “Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2019%3A22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 19:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He then proceeds to completely decimate all of Sennacherib’s swagger by showing him that all the things he was boasting in were given to him by God (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2019%3A23%E2%80%9325/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 19:23–25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Sennacherib’s rage was laughable in the eyes of Yahweh, like a chihuahua barking at a lion. Therefore, God was set to humiliate that Assyrian ruler with a great and mighty humiliation, one which would see him treated like nothing more than a beast of burden (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2019%3A28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 19:28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Every fearsome plan posed by that tyrant would be turned back, with Sennacherib being forced to turn around in shame and defeat. He’d be sent home packing, like a dog with its tail between its legs (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2019%3A32%E2%80%9333/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 19:32–33
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And just as swift as Sennacherib would be defeated, so, too, would Hezekiah be delivered (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2019%3A29%E2%80%9331/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 19:29–31
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The Lord himself would take it upon himself to defend his people. “For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2019%3A34/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 19:34
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This is just what he does. This is what he delights in doing. He sees the plight of his children and takes action on their behalf. An “angel of the Lord” visits the Assyrian camp, wiping out the lot of them in a single night (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2019%3A35/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 19:35
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Sennacherib, then, woke up to a campground full of corpses, causing him to hightail it out of town (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2019%3A36%E2%80%9337/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 19:36–37
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And so it was that God’s people were saved, with nary a Judean soldier lifting a finger.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Trials are humbling. They often force us on our knees. And I think that’s the point. We oftentimes try to weather and withstand life’s trials on our own, in our own strength. Which, frankly, is nothing but pride on our part. The trials you and I face were never meant to be faced on our own. Like Hezekiah, you and I have a God who delights in coming to the defense of his own. He wants to hear from you. Yahweh took action upon Hezekiah’s humble prayer. And, even still, he relishes in coming to the aid of those who cry out to him. The point is, “trusting in God in trial” doesn’t mean we get issued a sword and spear to thwart the devil’s temptations. Rather, “trust in God in trial” means we fight our battles by kneeling and praying to “the Holy One of Israel,” who works out our deliverance by himself. “The zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2019%3A31/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 19:31
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And here’s the breathtaking truth of it all: when we kneel and trust in the Lord’s deliverance, we’re putting our trust in a deliverance that’s already been won. The “angel of the Lord” in verse 35 is a remarkable Old Testament figure who pops up on none too few occasions. He’s the same angel with whom Jacob wrestled all through the night. The same angel who appeared to Moses in the burning bush. The same angel who visited with Joshua just before the siege on Jericho. The same angel who greeted Gideon, giving him courage to face the Midianites. The same angel who manifested in the blaze with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, delivering them out of the flames unscathed. This is Mal’āḵ Yahweh, the Son of God, the One who answers our prayers with the invigorating reminder that he has already won. We can trust in him during our trial, we can fight on our knees, because Mal’āḵ Yahweh fights for us. He’s won the day already. He’s traversed the battlefield called Golgotha and come out the Victor. And, by faith, that victory is ours.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.1517.org/articles/trusting-god-in-trial
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Aug 2022 14:46:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-11-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-10-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-10-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-10-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Hinge of History...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In The Weekend Australian (August 6-7, 2022), Dr Greg Sheridan, well-respected foreign affairs writer, observed: ‘The world moved a few steps closer to war this week – war of unimaginable consequences between the world’s two superpowers. We’re still probably a long way from war, but war got closer, more possible, more imaginable’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is a day coming when the decades-long relative peace we have enjoyed in the West is broken?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In every age people are looking for meaning and security. Jesus of Nazareth understands our needs, our longings, and not least our desire for peace. Yet in Luke chapter 12, verses 49 though 56 we encounter some of his toughest words.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In verse 49 we read: “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fire and water were symbols of judgment in the Old Testament. Water devoured the people of Noah’s day and fire destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus is saying that with his coming amongst us the time of divine judgment is set. Our cry for justice will be answered.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But we have to understand that all of us are the problem. Humanity has made incredible strides in the fields of science and technology. We can communicate with one another in nano-seconds, but we still have problems in our relationships – the tension and conflict, between nations, between ideologies and philosophies, between the sexes and amongst family members.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           William Golding, the author of Lord of the Flies, was once asked why he wrote it. He responded: I believed then, that humanity was sick – not exceptional men and women, but average men and women. I believed that the condition of humanity was to be a morally diseased creation and that the best job I could do at the time was to trace the connection between their diseased nature and the international mess they get themselves into.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is there a God who will clean up the mess? Jean Paul Sartre commented: ‘That God does not exist, I cannot deny; that my whole being cries out for God, I cannot forget’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Luke’s narrative we find teachings that many agree are the finest in history. We encounter a debater who outclassed the finest minds around him. We also discover the most impressive miracle worker the world has known: he could heal the sick, still a storm, and even raise the dead to life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ life reveals a God who stands at the heart of the universe.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But there is something much more: “I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed!” he says (12:50). His baptism is a metaphor for the event that would totally consume him – his crucifixion.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now it’s important we think this through: why did Jesus die?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his First Letter to the Corinthians, the Apostle Paul speaks of Jesus’ death: For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart” (1 Corinthians 1:18f).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the cross of Christ the power of God is at work. Paul is saying that God, in his wisdom, has used his power to provide a solution to our dilemma in a way that nothing else could.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are not here by chance simply to make the best of our fleeting life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Western nations at present don’t seem to be able to govern themselves. The problem is none of us want others to govern us. We want to be in charge.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And our natural inclination is to have the same attitude towards God. ‘God,’ we say, ‘if you are there, don’t call us, we’ll call you when we need you’. But you see what we are doing? We’re breaking the first commandment: ‘You shall love the Lord your God …’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “…What stress I am under, or, how I am straightened, until it is accomplished”, Jesus said. His death supremely reveals God’s selfless love, for it opens the door to life for a lost and unlovely world. To use the language of the Prayer Book, Jesus’ death is ‘the one perfect and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Having died the death we deserve from God, Jesus Christ is now the defense barrister who never loses the case for anyone who turns to him and belongs to him. Jesus has an infinite willingness to hear our prayers of confession.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How easy it is in the busy-ness of life to overlook Jesus’ deep desire to serve us. It’s worth etching in our minds his words, I have a baptism with which to be baptized… for they remind us of his deep love for us. They will also awaken us and alert us when we are tempted to drift away from the good that he would have us do.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So then, what should we do? Look at vv.54-56: He also said to the people: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘It is going to rain’; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat’; and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” (12:54-56).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As a child I learned the lines: ‘Red sky in the morning sailors’ warning; red sky at night sailors’ delight’. While weather forecasters don’t always get their predictions as accurate as we might like, there are certain principles that are timeless.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Why is it’, Jesus asks, ‘that you can forecast the weather, but you fail to understand the signs of the times in which you live? You fail to discern events in your midst that impact the deeper realities of your life’. People either choose to ignore or fail to understand events that point to the reality that we are not just material beings, but that our existence has come about through the work of a Creator.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So many fail to see the significance of Jesus’ life and death and resurrection. Revealing God to us in person he is the turning point, the hinge of history.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ words here are challenging and yet encouraging. They tell us that there is a God who has started a process that will lead to a final day of judgement. But the good news is that God is not only committed to justice he has done everything needed to restore our broken relationship with him. Turning to Jesus Christ is the key.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We need to pay careful attention: The message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let me encourage you not to rest until you have found forgiveness and life in Jesus Christ who is our one true hope.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. God our Father, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as pass our understanding: pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you above all things, may obtain your promises which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You may like to listen to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OibIi1rz7mw" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ Our Hope in Life and Death
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            from Keith &amp;amp; Kristyn Getty and Matt Papa.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/the-hinge-of-history/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/the-hinge-of-history/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Aug 2022 13:34:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-10-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-9-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-9-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-9-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Does God Punish Us for Our Parents' Sin?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are times when the Bible seems to contradict itself about whether we are punished for our parents’ sin—sometimes even in the same book. For instance, the second commandment forbids the worship of God through images because the Lord is “a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ex.%2020%3A5%E2%80%936/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 20:5–6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Deut.%205%3A9%E2%80%9310/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deut. 5:9–10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). We also read in the book of Numbers that the Lord will “by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Num.%2014%3A18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Num. 14:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Yet in Deuteronomy, we read, “Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Deut.%2024%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deut. 24:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Centuries later, Ezekiel warns, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ezek.%2018%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ezek. 18:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Similarly, Jeremiah prophesies of a day when “they shall no longer say: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’ ” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2031%3A29/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 31:29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). So, which is it? Does God punish children for the sins of their fathers? The answer is yes and no. Let’s get the yes out of the way first.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Adam, Federal Headship, and Original Sin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God does punish us for the sins of our first parents (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%205%3A12%E2%80%9314/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 5:12–14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Cor.%2015%3A22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 15:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This is because of the covenantal role Adam played as a federal head in the prelapsarian covenant of works. Adam uniquely represented all his posterity, such that when our first parents fell, they incurred punishment not only for themselves but for their descendants—all people who would be born into this world through ordinary generation (see Westminster Shorter Catechism 13–17). The Westminster Confession of Faith explains regarding our first parents and original sin, “They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed; and the same death in sin, and corrupted nature, conveyed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation” (WCF 6.3). The only way, then, that we’re delivered from the sin and misery brought on us by our first parents is by being united by faith to a faithful head—the Lord Jesus Christ. Concerning our federal parentage, then, God deals with us according to our parents’ sins or obedience. In this way, our answer to the question at hand depends on how we define parents in context.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now that we’ve discussed Adam and his unique role as federal head in the covenant of works, we can consider the question closer to home—your father and my father, which is typically the way the question is framed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Individual Culpability vs. Corporate Consequences
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Unlike Adam, our parents are not in a position of federal headship in a covenant of works wherein their obedience or disobedience determines everything thereafter for their descendants. Therefore, we can safely say that God does not directly punish children for the sins of their parents. Yet at the same time, the consequences of sin often affect future generations, and in this way, there is a sort of indirect punishment. For example, the sins of idolatry and false worship become deeply planted in the religious life of any society or family. This is why, for instance, in the accounts of the various successive kings in Israel, we often read of kings who follow in the ways of their fathers—whether for good or for ill. King Ahaziah, for example, “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin” (1 Kings 22:52). Idolatry and false worship aren’t easily extinguished once they’re inherited from previous generations. It takes intentional, Spirit-wrought reform, like that carried out by Josiah, who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left” (2 Kings 22:2) and destroyed the high places upon which idols were worshiped (2 Kings 23).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is no guarantee, however, that righteous fathers will beget righteous sons and wicked fathers will beget wicked sons. Josiah’s son, Jehoahaz, “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 23:32). Hezekiah, on the other hand, had a wicked father in Ahaz (2 Kings 16), yet he “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done” (2 Kings 18:3). Notice that the author of Kings mentions David as Hezekiah’s father. Hezekiah followed in the godly ways of David rather than the wicked ways of Ahaz.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In these Old Testament examples, we see that idolatry passes easily from one generation to another, and God often punished the Israelites as a result of their idolatry. Although the Lord does not punish people directly for the sins that their fathers commit (the Lord punishes those who follow in the sins of their fathers), their fathers’ sins often reverberate, and the consequences can be felt for generations to come. Also, although a righteous son will not suffer directly for the sin of an unrighteous father, he’s susceptible to following in the path of his wicked father. He will often indirectly suffer the consequences of some of his father’s unrighteous behavior. For example, if a father is given to drunkenness, his son is more likely to experience abuse and follow in his father’s footsteps. Nevertheless, each human bears the punishment for his own wickedness. As Matthew Henry says, “God does not punish the children for the fathers’ sins unless they tread in their fathers’ steps.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/does-god-punish-for-parents-sin#fn1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Therefore, our answer to the question at hand depends on how we define the word punish in context.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So What?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What does this mean for us? We can draw several applications, but let’s just note a few. First, we must be quick to repent, being especially careful with sins that have so easily entangled our family members in the past. Our sins, if not mortified, will affect our children. Second, we’re reminded of the importance of Christian parents’ properly discipling and praying for their children. Typically, God blesses through familial lines. Third, sin has direct consequences for those who commit it, but it can also have indirect consequences for those around us and future generations. Last, we’re not slaves to the sins of our parents. We are either slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%206%3A12%E2%80%9323/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 6:12–23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). God has providentially placed us in our respective families, cultures, and societies, with all the privileges, temptations, and disadvantages that come with that context (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%2017%3A26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 17:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The parentage that truly matters is whether we’re under the headship of Adam or Christ (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%205%3A12%E2%80%9321/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 5:12–21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/does-god-punish-for-parents-sin" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/does-god-punish-for-parents-sin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Aug 2022 16:16:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-9-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-8-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-8-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-8-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All is Possible!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All things are possible for one who believes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Mark%209:23/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 9:23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many professed Christians are always doubting and fearing, and they forlornly think that this is the inevitable state of believers. This is a mistake, for “all things are possible for one who believes”; and it is possible for us to arrive at a place where a doubt or a fear shall be like a migrant bird flitting across the soul but never lingering there. When you read of the high and sweet communions enjoyed by favored saints, you sigh and murmur in the chamber of your heart, “Sadly, these are not for me.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But, climber, if you exercise your faith, you will before long stand on the sunny pinnacle of the temple, for “all things are possible for one who believes.” You hear of exploits that holy men have done for Jesus—what they have enjoyed of Him, how much they have been like Him, how they have been able to endure great persecutions for His sake—and you say, “But as for me, I am useless. I can never reach these heights.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But there is nothing that one saint was that you may not be. There is no elevation of grace, no attainment of spirituality, no clearness of assurance, no place of duty, that is not open to you if you have but the power to believe. Lay aside your sackcloth and ashes, and rise to the dignity of your true position; you are impoverished not because you have to be but because you want to be. It is not right that you, a child of the King, should grovel in the dust. Rise! The golden throne of assurance is waiting for you! The crown of communion with Jesus is ready to adorn your brow. Wrap yourself in scarlet and fine linen, and eat lavishly every day; for if you believe, you can eat the royal portion, your land will flow with milk and honey, and your soul shall be satisfied in God. Gather golden sheaves of grace, for they await you in the fields of faith. “All things are possible for one who believes.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/08/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/08/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Aug 2022 14:47:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-8-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-5-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-5-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-5-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An Obligation of Testing
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Shall your brothers go to the war while you sit here?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Numbers%2032:6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Numbers 32:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Family brings its obligations. The people of Reuben and the people of Gad would have been unbrotherly if they had claimed the land that had been conquered and had left the rest of the people to fight for their portions alone. We have received great benefits as a result of the efforts and sufferings of the saints in years gone by, and if we do not make some return to the Church of Christ by giving her our best energies, we are unworthy to be enrolled in her ranks. Others are bravely combating the errors of the age or excavating the dying from amid the ruins of the Fall, and if we fold our hands in idleness we put ourselves in danger. The Master of the vineyard inquires, “Why do you stand here all day doing nothing?” What is the lazy man’s excuse?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Serving Jesus becomes the duty of all because it is cheerfully and generously rendered by some. The toils of devoted missionaries and fervent ministers shame us if we continue to sit in laziness. It is the residents of “easy street” who are tempted to run from trials: They would like to escape the cross but still wear the crown; to them the question for this evening’s meditation is very relevant. If the most precious are tested in the fire, are we to escape the crucible? If the diamond must be cut and fashioned on the wheel, are we to be made perfect without suffering? Who has commanded the wind to stop blowing because our ship is on the ocean? Why should we be treated better than our Lord?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The firstborn endured suffering, so why not His younger brothers? It is a cowardly pride that would choose a soft pillow and a silk couch for a soldier of the cross. Far wiser is the one who first resigns himself to God’s will and then as he grows in grace learns to delight in it. So he picks berries on the path of duty, gathers lilies at the foot of the cross, and like Samson discovers honey in the lion.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/05/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/08/05/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 05 Aug 2022 12:55:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-5-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-4-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-4-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-4-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Failure of the Modern Apologist
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We used to think 2+2 = 4. We used to believe that facts were based upon empirical evidence. We used to rely on the definition of a word for a common understanding. And we used to think that truth was a static reality.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I will admit, even typing out the above sentences makes me cringe. For many reasons, perhaps: I love math, savor language, and my theological teeth were cut on evidential apologetics. To even suggest these are claims of an outdated world makes me a bit sick to my stomach. Unfortunately, I have navigated the frustrations of “common core” math with my own kiddos. I have watched the technological universe manufacture un-tested realities that our culture readily consumes. I have listened as unassuming words slowly transition from their simple meanings. But I have tried to plug my ears and stick out my tongue for long enough. Even though the assault on external authority and objective truth has been recently more than I want to bear.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The most savage of controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way. “Persecution is used in theology, not in arithmetic, because in arithmetic there is knowledge, but in theology there is only opinion,” said Analytic philosopher, Bertrand Russell. And yet, one can be persecuted right now, for the knowledge that there are universal principles in mathematics or science and that there are all-inclusive truths which apply to every person. Analytic philosophers be damned, persecution is for everyone these days.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our modern conversations have undergone a drastic refocusing of authority and truth towards the individual self. No longer do external institutions claim to operate by their own authority and power (unless they are personally granted with such authority and power by one's internal psychology). Protection and expression of one’s inner voice has become the greatest good, and our culture’s common understanding of freedom. Your feelings are just as authoritative as mine, about anything and everything, including the real world in which we exist together. To express the authentic self is our culture’s most virtuous and noble task. To deny this expression is to deny a person of their personal freedoms. No longer is oppression external: whether it be physical, financial, and political. Instead, we are defined by internal feelings. And our culture has agreed to accept these subjective assessments as a basis for reality.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One can imagine and create any existence for themselves. In previous ages, we have been limited by the physical reality in which our bodies, our relationships, and even time and space exist. But since the advancement of technology, we have grown to expect any reality our hearts desire. Our inner feelings and identity are the real guide to reality, and we now have the ability to bend molecules around ourselves. Not science, nor math, nor tradition, nor external law holds ultimate power anymore.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Christian apologist now experiences a new challenge. While it’s easy to complain about “the kids these days,” it’s unhelpful to chastise a generation that has been incubated in psychology as the only reality. Our problem, as Christians defending the faith, comes when considering this generation’s experienced truth. Most of reality, now, from education, to family life, to our social politics, does not operate in a world of external reason.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We may remember when apologetics seemed as simple as endorsing an objective truth, an external reality, an evidence based-reason on which we could all agree. Both in terms of a “natural” morality, and the salvific hope offered by Christ, we could draw on Biblical sources, logical connections, and historical evidence. The defense for the Christian faith presumed commonly understood standards of truth and authority in an external metaphysical universe.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Whenever you find a man who says he doesn’t believe in a real Right and Wrong, you will find the same man going back on this a moment later. It seems, then, we are forced to believe in a real Right and Wrong. People may be mistaken about them, just as sometimes people get their sums wrong; but they are not a matter of mere taste and opinion any more than the multiplication table. Now if we are agreed about that, I go on to my next point, which is this. None of us are really keeping the Law of Nature. If there are any among you, I apologize to them. They’d better switch to another station, for nothing I’m going to say concerns them. And now, turning to the ordinary human being who are left…” (C.S, Lewis, Mere Christianity).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           C.S. Lewis may be likewise baffled by both objective reality and morality spinning into a legitimate belief that multiplication tables, pronouns, and even genders are really just a matter of emotion. The common popular opinion is not agreement about the foundational logic on which to base truth, or if a universal truth even exists. Even more, this pandemic of thought is not confined to an uneducated section of society who just need to hit the books in formal logic. Rather, our world has evolved. Our hearts hold on to invisible new gods. Our minds are enslaved under a powerful new sovereign that we have yet to call to account. However, our sin is nothing new, at all. So, it may be time to admit that even our good and proper answers are for questions that are now no longer asked.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The challenge we now face is not about what the answer is and always has been: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes will not perish but have eternal life.” Our challenge today is to inspire trust and curiosity so this generation will openly ask the question, who speaks the words of truth?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/the-failure-of-the-modern-apologist" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/the-failure-of-the-modern-apologist
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Aug 2022 13:25:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-4-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>George Whitefield Program '22 Ministry Report - Stirling</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/george-whitefield-program-22-ministry-report-stirling</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The only hope that this world has is in Christ.  What a blessing to fellowship with these brothers and fellow evangelists.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Stirling+Long+George+Whitefield+Program.png" alt="do the work of an evangelist"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - George Whitfield Program - Summer Fellowship Conference. GWP provides the necessary support and training so you can preach the Gospel in the highways and hedges. This is my second year. What an exciting time studying the Book of Proverbs. “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NABRE‬‬
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long+George+Whitefield+Program.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference#ministryreports"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference#ministryreports
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Aug 2022 23:30:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/george-whitefield-program-22-ministry-report-stirling</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Stirling+Long+George+Whitefield+Program.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>George Whitefield Program '22 Ministry Report - Darrel</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/george-whitefield-program-22-ministry-report-darrel</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The only hope that this world has is in Christ.  What a blessing to fellowship with these brothers and fellow evangelists.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+George+Whitefield+Program+Me+reading+scripture+during+prayer+time.png" alt="do the work of an evangelist"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Comments and Pics from Darrel Davis
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            -
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           June 23 - What a blessed time here at the GWP Conference. Great fellowship with like-minded brothers and wise instruction. Looking forward to using this material and motivation to move forward as a full-time missionary evangelist to the streets.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelists, pastors, teachers communicate the completed Word of God “building on the foundation of the apostles and prophets”; so these offices continue until Christ returns.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           a) Pastors &amp;amp; Teachers speak the Word to the church, shepherd the church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           b) Evangelists speak the word to those outside the church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           June 29 - “Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.” (3Jn 1:5-7)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I never noticed this passage until 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/joe.hin?__cft__[0]=AZWuMbVB-6rcqli8dpB-CP0h0caQfO1rLjWs-Kp3SpUiNIFwWsxQDBnrqjS8UcKd1ZaxEoAwSpbIgZO5RvrLJ052OAu2jFsEGdc1sTqfPuQ9Tg&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            preached on it at the GWP Conference. Gaius was being commended for his hospitality and generosity as he supported some of the many faithful itinerant ministers of the gospel who proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ wherever God led them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These servants of the Lord depended upon God to supply their needs through other believers - much like itinerant evangelists and missionaries today. Something to think about...
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above - Some pictures from the GWP Conference this week taken by Anglican Bishop Rios from Cartagena Colombia, I learned a lot from Bill Adams this week. (Photos by the Bishop)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference#ministryreports"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference#ministryreports
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Aug 2022 23:25:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/george-whitefield-program-22-ministry-report-darrel</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+George+Whitefield+Program+Me+reading+scripture+during+prayer+time.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>George Whitefield Program '22 Ministry Report - Group photo</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/george-whitefield-program-22-ministry-report-group-photo</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The only hope that this world has is in Christ.  What a blessing to fellowship with these brothers and fellow evangelists.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+George+Whitefield+Program+group+photo.png" alt="do the work of an evangelist"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Darrel Davis
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - What a blessing to fellowship with these brothers and fellow evangelists. I enjoyed the GWP conference and thank the Lord for all I learned last week. Now is the time to put the hand to the plow and don't look back.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/George+Whitefield+Program+group+photo.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference#ministryreports"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference#ministryreports
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Aug 2022 23:17:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/george-whitefield-program-22-ministry-report-group-photo</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+George+Whitefield+Program+group+photo.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>George Whitefield Program '22 Ministry Report - Joe video</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/george-whitefield-program-22-ministry-report-joe-video</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The only hope that this world has is in Christ.  What a blessing to fellowship with these brothers and fellow evangelists.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Joe+video+Do+the+work+of+an+evangelist.png" alt="do the work of an evangelist"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joshua Richards
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Please pray for my Brothers 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/joe.hin?__cft__[0]=AZVlaZRPz9F52FwqeiUxzOZejCcNauy-nS9x0_zhtAbmagvwnXSECieGpJ2C8ltHRO3fbQ5h8bFMBvAy1C9j4pNBnAu46XCsFWUkfKwd_5JX5aRJDNC-faGaufjes66sSfzhpyj5qL6tqSxt804XFo0DeRPaoYUQTeIbedARRhB5z9ceZK8z8hwRnyl7iqsDdnAvgFLHIbMETtGVGZNQOoKw&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/will.dieterich.100?__cft__[0]=AZVlaZRPz9F52FwqeiUxzOZejCcNauy-nS9x0_zhtAbmagvwnXSECieGpJ2C8ltHRO3fbQ5h8bFMBvAy1C9j4pNBnAu46XCsFWUkfKwd_5JX5aRJDNC-faGaufjes66sSfzhpyj5qL6tqSxt804XFo0DeRPaoYUQTeIbedARRhB5z9ceZK8z8hwRnyl7iqsDdnAvgFLHIbMETtGVGZNQOoKw&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Will S Dieterich
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            who describe their time with others at the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/anglicanevangel/?__cft__[0]=AZVlaZRPz9F52FwqeiUxzOZejCcNauy-nS9x0_zhtAbmagvwnXSECieGpJ2C8ltHRO3fbQ5h8bFMBvAy1C9j4pNBnAu46XCsFWUkfKwd_5JX5aRJDNC-faGaufjes66sSfzhpyj5qL6tqSxt804XFo0DeRPaoYUQTeIbedARRhB5z9ceZK8z8hwRnyl7iqsDdnAvgFLHIbMETtGVGZNQOoKw&amp;amp;__tn__=kK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           George Whitefield Program
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sportsfanoutreach?__cft__[0]=AZVlaZRPz9F52FwqeiUxzOZejCcNauy-nS9x0_zhtAbmagvwnXSECieGpJ2C8ltHRO3fbQ5h8bFMBvAy1C9j4pNBnAu46XCsFWUkfKwd_5JX5aRJDNC-faGaufjes66sSfzhpyj5qL6tqSxt804XFo0DeRPaoYUQTeIbedARRhB5z9ceZK8z8hwRnyl7iqsDdnAvgFLHIbMETtGVGZNQOoKw&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/heath.pucel?__cft__[0]=AZVlaZRPz9F52FwqeiUxzOZejCcNauy-nS9x0_zhtAbmagvwnXSECieGpJ2C8ltHRO3fbQ5h8bFMBvAy1C9j4pNBnAu46XCsFWUkfKwd_5JX5aRJDNC-faGaufjes66sSfzhpyj5qL6tqSxt804XFo0DeRPaoYUQTeIbedARRhB5z9ceZK8z8hwRnyl7iqsDdnAvgFLHIbMETtGVGZNQOoKw&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             are the teachers this year and are gifted at their craft to gather laborers for the harvest and train them to serve Him. Pray about attending next year!  Watch video below: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference#ministryreports"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference#ministryreports
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Aug 2022 23:11:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/george-whitefield-program-22-ministry-report-joe-video</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Joe+video+Do+the+work+of+an+evangelist.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>George Whitefield Program '22 Ministry Report - Day 1</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/george-whitefield-program-22-ministry-report-day-1</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The only hope that this world has is in Christ.  What a blessing to fellowship with these brothers and fellow evangelists.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Bill+Adams+kicking+off+day+1+the+George+Whitefield+Prgram+summer+training.+Sports+Fan+Outreach+-sfoi.png" alt="do the work of an evangelist"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sportsfanoutreach?__cft__[0]=AZV3vn3BDPj8RjraH-sIbOMnIiCdHcooIj42RAPGy4rTTrRKPNaGIfbiL4lXSWlZCj4dJkHShV6uY6jwge3TaXP_3UXqgV7YSHIJcNeq0W1NdQkcjR3AIZcLdjTPCp-R9hEuLGKEhVLBiHbr82zweQosPwa-rw09Ggvg38zgkxaDmoOkz2EZbcPPwtz2QKXLklc&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            kicking off day 1 the George Whitefield Program summer training. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org/?__cft__[0]=AZV3vn3BDPj8RjraH-sIbOMnIiCdHcooIj42RAPGy4rTTrRKPNaGIfbiL4lXSWlZCj4dJkHShV6uY6jwge3TaXP_3UXqgV7YSHIJcNeq0W1NdQkcjR3AIZcLdjTPCp-R9hEuLGKEhVLBiHbr82zweQosPwa-rw09Ggvg38zgkxaDmoOkz2EZbcPPwtz2QKXLklc&amp;amp;__tn__=kK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bill+Adams+kicking+off+day+1+the+George+Whitefield+Prgram+summer+training.+Sports+Fan+Outreach+-sfoi.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference#ministryreports"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference#ministryreports
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Aug 2022 22:53:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/george-whitefield-program-22-ministry-report-day-1</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Bill+Adams+kicking+off+day+1+the+George+Whitefield+Prgram+summer+training.+Sports+Fan+Outreach+-sfoi.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-3-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-3-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-3-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Don't Waste Your Life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Don’t Waste Your Life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is the title of a book John Piper wrote in 2003. Recounting something of his own teenage and early adult experiences in the late 1960s, he observes, ‘existentialism was the air we breathed. And the meaning of existentialism was that “existence precedes essence”. That is, you first exist and then, by existing, you create your essence. You make your essence by freely choosing to be what you will be. There is no essence outside you to conform to. Call it “God” or “Meaning” or “Purpose” – it is not there until you create it by your own courageous existence’ (p.14).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today, almost 20 years later, I echo Piper’s 2003 comment, ‘this sounds strangely like our own day…’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the Gospel of Luke chapter 12, verses 35-40 Jesus of Nazareth draws out a bigger picture of our existence: “You must also be ready, for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour”, he says (12:40).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In speaking about an unexpected hour of his coming, that is, his return, Jesus implies that we are much more than the sum of our parts – that we exist, not by happenstance, but by design. Despite the voices in the western world today, there is something, no, someone, far greater than we can imagine – who has given us life (existence) and who gives our life meaning (essence).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Contrary to many in our society who refuse to take Jesus seriously, eminent historians such as Dr. Edwin Judge comment:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘An ancient historian has no problem seeing the phenomenon of Jesus as an historical one. His many surprising aspects only help anchor him in history. Myth or legend would have created a more predictable figure. The writings that sprang up about Jesus also reveal to us a movement of thought and an experience of life so unusual that something much more substantial than the imagination is needed to explain it’ (EA Judge, emeritus professor of history and director of ancient history at Macquarie University, Sydney).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To treat the four Gospel accounts of Jesus as authentic is key to understanding who we are.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today and over the coming Wednesdays we’ll be looking in advance at the lectionary Gospel readings for the upcoming Sundays – all from the ‘travel narrative’ in the Gospel of Luke. So come with me to Luke 12:35-40.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be prepared. In speaking about a day of his coming Jesus uses the metaphor of a wealthy man who was away from home at an important wedding. The man’s servants, Jesus says, must be ready for his return no matter how late the hour: “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him when he comes and knocks” (12:35-36).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s easy to miss the force of these words. In the same way the servants needed to be ready for the return of their master, we need to be prepared for Jesus’ return.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is something special here we often overlook: “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes,” Jesus says. “Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them” (12:37). To be blessed by God is to be the beneficiary of his goodness and open-handed generosity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, Jesus is saying that on his return, he himself will serve his faithful people who are alert and actively preparing for his coming. “If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!” (12:38)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deep Joy. We can only begin to imagine the deep joy that we will experience if Christ finds us faithful when he returns.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ imagery here indicates three things about the timing of his coming. It is imminent, the master could return at any time; there is delay, the master seems to be taking his time. And there is a third element: surprise. In 12:39 Jesus references a householder not knowing when the thief will come.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are seriously mistaken if we think we know the time of this. Yes, some who profess to be God’s people are constantly looking for signs. Some even set a date and give away all their possessions. But they ignore Jesus’ words: ‘When the day comes, it will come as a surprise’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The reality is that one day all men and women will stand before God. While this is a frightening thought, it is also encouraging, for it means that justice will be done and all wrongs in the world throughout the centuries will be perfectly addressed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But this is not Jesus’ focus here: he is addressing his people. The sobering thought here is that all of us who profess to be his followers are answerable to him – not just for the things we have done, but also for the things we have not done.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He is challenging us all to ask, What kind of life am I living? Am I growing in the faith? Am I simply serving my own interests in life or am I honoring the Lord in my thoughts, my words and my actions? How do I use the gifts, skills and material resources the Lord has given me? And what about my relationships – with my family and my friends, my colleagues and in the wider community?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Am I prepared for the Lord’s return? And am I helping others to prepare for the return of the King – using the opportunity to introduce them to him before it’s too late? How am I using the time the Lord has given me? Will I find on that final day that I have lived a wasted life?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Lord God, you know that we cannot put our trust in anything that we do: help us to have faith in you alone, and mercifully defend us by your power against all adversity as, through your grace, we endeavor to serve you faithfully throughout our life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/dont-waste-your-life/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/dont-waste-your-life/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Aug 2022 14:04:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-3-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-2-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-2-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-2-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What Is Unconditional Election?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Throughout the twentieth century, it was not uncommon for individuals to so associate the doctrine of election with John Calvin that they mistakenly concluded that the concept of election had originated with him. Far from finding its origins in the Genevan Reformer, the doctrine of election has long held a place in the history of the church because it is everywhere taught in Scripture. The early church theologian Augustine, in his tractate on 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2015%3A15%E2%80%9316/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 15:15–16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , appealed to the clear teaching of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Romans%2011%3A5%E2%80%936/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 11:5–6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            regarding the doctrine of election. He wrote:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What was it then that He chose in those who were not good? For they were not chosen because of their goodness, inasmuch as they could not be good without being chosen. Otherwise, grace is no more grace, if we maintain the priority of merit. Such, certainly, is the election of grace, whereof the apostle says: “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant saved according to the election of grace.” To which he adds: “And if by grace, then is it no more of works; otherwise, grace is no more grace.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Augustine was underlining the importance of the unmerited nature of election. God did not choose those He would save through Christ on account of anything in them by which they could have merited that salvation. God did not foresee something in those He saves that moved Him to choose them. God did not even choose them on account of Christ. Rather, He chose them even though they had nothing with which to merit His grace and had, in fact, demerited His favor. The idea of unmerited election is encapsulated in the Calvinistic acronym TULIP under the designation unconditional election (the U in TULIP). But what do Reformed theologians mean when they speak of the unconditional nature of election? Dr. R.C. Sproul defined unconditional election in the following way: “The Reformed view of election, known as unconditional election, means that God does not foresee an action or condition on our part that induces Him to save us. Rather, election rests on God’s sovereign decision to save whomever He is pleased to save.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The term unconditional can be somewhat misleading. It does not mean that there is no cause for the electing grace of God. Rather, it simply means that there is no cause or condition in us. The Scriptures make clear that the condition (if we may speak of it in that way) of God’s election of His people is His mere “good pleasure” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Eph.%201%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 1:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). As the Reformed theologian Francis Turretin explained, “Election was made from God’s mere good pleasure . . . good pleasure excludes every cause out of God upon which election may depend.” In this sense, we may speak of a condition or cause of election in God alone. However, it also means that there is no cause or condition for His electing grace outside of Himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Embracing the unconditional nature of election is vital if we are to come to understand the greatness of God’s grace. God does not confer His grace upon us because of any good in us—whether past or future good. In fact, the Scripture describes man’s depravity in the most straightforward way when it says:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%203%3A10%E2%80%9312/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 3:10–12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first doctrine represented in the acronym TULIP sets the logical course for this subsequent doctrine of unconditional election. The doctrine of total depravity (perhaps better termed pervasive depravity) necessitates unconditional election. Since we justly deserve God’s wrath and are without hope apart from the saving grace of Jesus Christ (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Eph.%202%3A1%E2%80%933/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 2:1–3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), our salvation must depend entirely on the electing grace of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many attempts have been made to explain away the doctrine of unconditional election. Semi-Pelagian theologians (i.e., Arminians) insist that God chose a people to save before the foundation of the world after looking down the corridor of time and noting a decision they would make to trust in Christ. In this proposal, God doesn’t know all that He will do; He learns something that He didn’t foreknow. The biblical doctrine of election is built on the foreknowledge of God, not on the fore-learning of God (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%208%3A29%3B%2011%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 8:29; 11:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The doctrine of unconditional election is one of the most precious doctrines concerning God’s salvation. It is the foundation of our understanding of grace, the guarantee of the application of redemption, and the reason to praise God for the glory of His grace. The addition of any condition outside of God changes the very nature of these gifts and takes glory from God and gives it to the creature.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-is-unconditional-election" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-is-unconditional-election
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Aug 2022 17:25:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-2-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 8-1-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-1-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 8-1-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lord of the Harvest
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You crown the year with your bounty.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2065:11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Psalms 65:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All the year round, every hour of every day, God is richly blessing us; when we are asleep and when we awaken, His mercy waits upon us. The sun may leave us a legacy of darkness, but God never ceases to shine upon His children with beams of love. Like a river, His loving-kindness is always flowing, with a fullness as inexhaustible as His own nature. Like the atmosphere that constantly surrounds the earth and is always ready to support the life of man, the kindness of God surrounds all His creatures; in it, as in their element, they live and move and have their being.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Just as the sun on summer days gladdens us with warmer and brighter rays than at other times, and as rivers in certain seasons are swollen by the rain, and as the air itself is sometimes filled with fresher breezes than at other times, so is it with the mercy of God; it has its golden hours, its overflowing days, when the Lord magnifies His grace before the children of men. The joyful days of harvest are a special season of abundant favor. It is the glory of autumn that the ripe gifts of providence are then generously bestowed; it is the mellow season when we enjoy all that we had hoped for. The joy of harvest is great. The reapers are happy to fill their arms with the abundance of heaven.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The psalmist tells us that the harvest is the crowning of the year. Surely these crowning mercies merit a crowning thanksgiving! Let us render it by the inward emotions of gratitude. Let our hearts be warmed; let our spirits remember, meditate, and think upon this goodness of the Lord. Then let us praise Him with our lips and honor and magnify His name who is the source of all this goodness. Let us glorify God by offering our gifts to His cause. A practical proof of our gratitude is a special thank-offering to the Lord of the harvest.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 01 Aug 2022 15:06:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-8-1-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>George Whitefield Program '22 Ministry Report - First Evening</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/george-whitefield-program-22-ministry-report-first-evening</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The only hope that this world has is in Christ.  What a blessing to fellowship with these brothers and fellow evangelists.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Brother+Heath+Pucel+opening+up+the+first+evening+service.png" alt="do the work of an evangelist"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - Brother 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/heath.pucel?__tn__=-]K*F" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            opening up the first evening service.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brother+Heath+Pucel+opening+up+the+first+evening+service-fbff3bf2.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference#ministryreports"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference#ministryreports
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2022 18:44:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/george-whitefield-program-22-ministry-report-first-evening</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Brother+Heath+Pucel+opening+up+the+first+evening+service.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-29-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-29-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-29-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Belonging
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All that the Father gives me will come to me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%206:37/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            John 6:37
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This declaration involves the doctrine of election: There are some whom the Father gave to Christ. It involves the doctrine of effectual calling: These who are given must and shall come; however stoutly they may set themselves against it, yet they shall be brought out of darkness into God’s marvelous light. It teaches us the indispensable necessity of faith, for even those who are given to Christ are not saved except they come to Jesus. Even they must come, for there is no other way to heaven but by the door, Christ Jesus. All that the Father gives to our Redeemer must come to Him; therefore none can come to heaven except when they come to Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Oh, the power and majesty that rest in the words “will come.” He does not say they have power to come, nor that they may come if they will, but they “will come.” The Lord Jesus by His messengers, His Word, and His Spirit sweetly and graciously compels men to come in, that they may eat of His marriage supper; and this He does not by any violation of the free agency of man, but by the power of His grace. I may exercise power over another man’s will, and yet that other man’s will may be perfectly free, because the constraint is exercised in a manner accordant with the laws of the human mind. Jehovah Jesus knows how by irresistible arguments addressed to the understanding, by mighty reasons appealing to the affections, and by the mysterious influence of His Holy Spirit operating upon all the powers and passions of the soul so to subdue the whole man, whereas he was once rebellious, that he yields cheerfully to His government, subdued by sovereign love. But how shall those be known whom God has chosen? By this result: that they do willingly and joyfully accept Christ and come to Him with simple and unfeigned faith, resting upon Him as all their salvation and all their desire. Reader, have you come to Jesus in this way?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2022 14:45:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-29-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-28-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-28-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-28-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Church Fathers: Cyril of Alexandria, Saint and Sinner
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Anyone who looks at the church today and craves the long-past glories of true faith ought to look at its actual history. The oft-reported stories of sexual and fiscal impropriety in the contemporary church are nothing new. The halcyon days when the church’s leaders were truly faithful are as imaginary as human potential and free will. The desire to make the church great again has to reckon with its actual history, including the lives of the saints.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cyril of Alexandria is an exemplar. He is known as the prime proponent of a doctrine that asserted Jesus was both fully human and fully divine. But his pugnacity in Christological controversies led him to what modern sensitivities consider a long and sordid history before that fight. He is the ur-example of a Christian as both saint and sinner.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our Cyril shouldn’t be confused with another well-known Cyril who was a missionary to the Slavs and gave us the Cyrillic alphabet. Our Cyril (AD 376-444) was archbishop of Alexandria, one of five centers of Christianity in the ancient church along with Jerusalem, Antioch, Constantinople, and Rome. Along with his African contemporary Augustine, Cyril led the fight for orthodoxy in response to teachings that weakened Christ’s work and dulled the church’s witness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His pugnacity in Christological controversies led him to what modern sensitivities consider a long and sordid history before that fight.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cyril’s fervor for pure explication of the gospel was present throughout his career. He wrote numerous exegetical works, including commentaries on the Pentateuch, Isaiah, and minor prophets. His greatest contribution, however, comes in his battle with Nestorius over Christ’s nature: How was the human Jesus who walked the paths of Judea also divine? How was the one who rules on high also the one who voiced a cry of dereliction from the cross.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cyril asserted that both the divine and human are united and fully present in the person of Jesus: “I say that it is appropriate neither for the Logos of God apart from the humanity, nor for the temple born of the woman not united to the Logos, to be called Christ Jesus.” Even though Scripture sometimes speaks of one nature or the other, divine or human, Cyril argued that “he is not treated unjustly by either way of speaking, on account of the conjunction of the two [natures] into a unity.” Christ is and must be both born in Bethlehem and existing from the foundation of the world. Thus, for Cyril, what happens to Jesus as human also happens to God and vice versa. The theological term for this is the communication idiomatum, or the exchange of attributes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nestorius, the bishop of Constantinople, objected, citing 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%202%3A52/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 2:52
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . After the incident of the boy Jesus in the temple, he “increased in wisdom and in years and in divine and human favor.” Nestorius inferred that “He is brought to perfection who increases little by little,” thus, that there is a separation present in Jesus. But Cyril countered that Jesus’ divinity could have easily happened without growth and change, but it would have necessitated “a monstrous affair and a violation of the words of the economy [of salvation].” In other words, Jesus’ increase happened because the divine took on the human fully. For an extended treatment of this important debate, see Jaroslav Pelikan’s 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Tradition-Development-Doctrine-Emergence/dp/0226653714/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3K9D4V4B8JB98&amp;amp;keywords=The+Christian+Tradition%2C+A+History+of+the+Development+of+Doctrine%3A+1+The+Emergence+of+the+Catholic+Tradition+%28100-600%29.&amp;amp;qid=1658342842&amp;amp;sprefix=the+christian+tradition%2C+a+history+of+the+development+of+doctrine+1+the+emergence+of+the+catholic+tradition+100-600+.%2Caps%2C256&amp;amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Christian Tradition, A History of the Development of Doctrine: 1 The Emergence of the Catholic Tradition (100-600).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cyril and Nestorius were the Luther and Zwingli of their age, and their dispute has been an ongoing tug-of-war in the centuries since then. The proper term for this doctrine is 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/the-mix-that-makes-salvation-work-aka-the-hypostatic-union-of-christ" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           “the hypostatic union of Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ” Although the phrase didn’t appear in English until the seventeenth century, the idea was already present in the Apostles’ Creed, which confesses that the Son of God was “conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.” Cyril’s approach was grounded both in the Scriptures and in the church’s prior confessions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In spite of his theological acumen, Cyril has plenty of strikes against him — at least to our contemporary standards of decency, our desire to acknowledge the marginalized and aggrieved, and our avoidance of the slightest strain of hypocrisy. Cyril accompanied his uncle Theophilus to a synod in Constantinople at which St. John Chrysostom was subjected to false accusations and deposed. He closed the Novatian churches, whose members were followers of a self-described antipope, and he expelled the Jews from Alexandria. In addition, Cyril has also been charged by historians today of having had a hand in the execution of the famous female philosopher, Hypatia of Alexandria.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Apart from the theological underpinnings in the church’s witness that are linked to Cyril’s work, most Christians today encounter him when they wonder why the date of Easter changes. Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the first day of spring. Cyril created an influential “Paschal table” which predicted the dates of Easter for a 19-year lunar cycle.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cyril died in his late sixties in AD 444 but wasn’t officially named a saint by the Catholic church until 1982. He is regarded by the Roman church as Bishop, Confessor, Teacher of the Faith and Doctor of the Church. His feast day is celebrated on June 28.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/church-fathers-cyril-of-alexandria-saint-and-sinner" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/church-fathers-cyril-of-alexandria-saint-and-sinner
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2022 14:43:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-28-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-27-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-27-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-27-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord Reigns...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Introduction – John Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 96 is set in a cluster of psalms that form a celebration of joyful praise to God. Announcing God’s reign over his creation, Psalm 96 alerts us to God’s justice and the mystery of his mercy, even in the face of our unfaithfulness. Nothing can stop the LORD from being himself: slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the Anglican Connection Conference last year, Dr. Jim Salladin, Senior Minister of Emmanuel Anglican Church, New York City, gave two Bible talks on Psalm 96 – morning and afternoon. Here is his second Reflection with the title, ‘The LORD Reigns’. While his notes were prepared for a spoken rather than a written presentation, we are grateful for his permission to use them for this week’s ‘Word on Wednesday’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reflection: Psalm 96 (2) – Jim Salladin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are picking up where we left this morning. Psalm 96, verses 7-13. Now, you remember this morning we looked at the first 6 verses of the Psalm. And we said that worship animates evangelism. Worship motivates gospel ministry.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So the Israelite Psalmist stands up, looks out on to the whole Gentile world and says, “Hey, whole world, listen up! Join me. Get on board with declaring God’s glory. Evangelize and tell everyone about the Lord of Israel!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And do you know why you should do that? Because he is surpassingly worthy, glorious, beautiful. Worship drives gospel ministry. That was this morning. But there is still a bit of a nagging question. Here is the question: What produces worship?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you see the question? If we will only really evangelize when we worship the LORD, then what is it that will get us to worship the LORD? Now we hinted at the answer this morning, but now Psalm 96 gives us more details. And here is what I want you to see: the Gospel imparts the joy of worship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let me explain. Look at verse 10. Now verse 10 is important because it gives us the Gospel. What I mean is that verse 10 is the message that Psalm 96 wants us to proclaim. And the Gospel of Psalm 96 might surprise you: Say among the nations, the LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the nations with equity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is it is. That is the Gospel. The LORD reigns as King. He is coming to judge the world! Is that the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the word ‘Gospel’? It sort of surprises me, but we’ll come back to it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           First, watch the joy that breaks forth. Verse 11:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar and all that fills it;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes, to judge the earth…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Did you catch that? The Gospel is: ‘The LORD is King. He is coming to judge! The response is: The crowd goes wild; the universe explodes in cosmic joy. The Gospel ignites the world in the joy of worship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is how God brings the human heart to a place of worship. Remember the question from this morning: How can I get my heart to worship? This is the answer. The human heart ignites with worship when we internalize the Gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Gospel of the LORD’s reign &amp;amp; judgement ignites the cosmos to worship and it also ignites the human heart. Which explains why it is so important that as Gospel proclaimers we apply the gospel to ourselves before we apply it to others.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But go back to the reading because I want to know why does God’s reign and God’s judgment produce joy. God’s reign and God’s judgment do not seem like happy things. Why does that Gospel produce joy? I think this might be easier for a lot of people to grasp now than it was just a few years ago.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When I was younger it was vogue to deny the existence of evil. But I don’t know anyone doing that much now. It seems like everyone knows that something is really messed up. Now no one agrees what is causing the problem but everyone thinks something is wrong. And everyone wants someone to set it right. Democrats think the Republicans are the problem; Republicans think the Democrats are the problem, but the one thing everyone can agree on is that we need a good leader who will set things in order.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now the Bible goes way deeper. It is not just the Republicans; it is not just the Democrats who are the problem. It is Sin. All of us have repudiated God’s Kingship. All of us have staged an insurrection against God and we have enthroned ourselves. But it ends up that we are horrible kings. In fact, we are so awful at running the world that we end up ruining not only our own lives, not only each other, not only the nations, but we have ruined the whole universe in a deep and profound way.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are in a hopeless state of insurrection and we really need a good leader who will set things in order. And that is why when the Cosmos hears the Gospel, that the King is returning, that the LORD will judge – even the trees start to rejoice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But slow down. If the King is returning, if the King will judge, then where does that leave the insurrectionists? You see this is why the Gospel makes me nervous. This is why the Gospel sort of scares me, because I am an insurrectionist. And if the LORD reigns then it means I don’t. And if the LORD judges, then it means I am condemned.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear…’ You see, this why verse 10 leads us to the Cross. Because it ends up a long time later the LORD was enthroned on a Cross. And while Jesus, the LORD was dying on the Cross, God the Father was judging my insurrection. Jesus was voluntarily taking my place suffering my penalty so that I could be declared ‘NOT guilty’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And when Jesus rose from the dead, he proved first, that the time of amnesty had begun, and second that he would one day judge all who refused the amnesty. Now friends, look at Jesus. He is the LORD who reigns. He is the LORD who judges. And when you are an insurrectionist who has now received mercy, you can’t help but rejoice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I mean, verse 11 says, the heavens and the earth and the sea and even the trees rejoice, but no one rejoices like a forgiven sinner, those who have been forgiven much, love much and only a forgiven sinner can appreciate the glory of the Gospel and the glory of God. The Gospel imparts the joy of worship and worship drives Gospel proclamation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, how does all this apply? It applies in all sorts of ways, but at least it gives us motivation, confidence and something of a method. We already said this morning that this gives us motivation. We will be bold in our proclamation when our hearts are warmed with the glory of the LORD. But it also gives us confidence if the LORD really is more glorious than any other competitor. Then who ever we talk to we can know without doubt that Jesus is precisely what they need.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And finally it gives us some help toward a method. Psalm 96 tells us to lift up the glory of Jesus and show how he is greater than everything else. And when the Spirit makes Jesus’ glory clear, people will drop their idols and turn to Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But in another way, the best application is verse 7: Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples; Ascribe to the LORD, glory and strength; Ascribe to the LORD, the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And then, with heart filled with worship, go and declare his glory among the nations. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/the-lord-reigns-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/the-lord-reigns-2/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2022 14:40:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-27-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-26-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-26-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-26-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What Does Sola Fide Mean?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In 1571, Queen Elizabeth I’s Reformed Church of England adopted its Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion. Article 11 made its Protestant credentials clear on the doctrine of justification:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort; as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What does that phrase “faith alone,” or, sola fide, mean? To understand this is “wholesome” or beneficial to our spiritual health and well-being. It’s also “very full of comfort” to us in our spiritual struggles.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           First, we’re speaking of “faith alone” in relation to the doctrine of justification, which is that “we are accounted righteous before God.” How can we—sinners—be righteous before God, who is sinless and holy? This is one of the most ancient questions: “Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Job%204%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Job 4:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). After all, the Apostle Paul later declared this universal truth: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%203%3A23/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 3:23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The way sinners like you and me can be righteous before God is “imputation,” meaning, “we are accounted righteous before God” by God Himself!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Second, how is it possible for a holy and righteous God to “account” us sinners as righteous? He can’t just sweep our sins under the rug and forget that they’re there, like a child cleans his or her room. He’s holy, just, and righteous; sin must be punished. The basis upon which God can make such a declaration is “only for [because of] the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” He fulfilled for us the law that we have broken; He shed His most precious blood to make a sacrifice and satisfaction for us; He turned away God’s wrath and indignation against us. In His infinite wisdom, God’s justice and mercy met on the cross of Christ. There, His justice condemned His own Son so that He won’t condemn us. There, His mercy delivered us from His wrath.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thus we have been “justified by his grace as a gift” because “through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus . . . God put [him] forward as a propitiation by his blood . . . to show God’s righteousness . . . that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%203%3A23%E2%80%9326/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 3:23–26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). To state in the negative how our holy and righteous God can “account” us sinners as righteous, it is “not for [because of] our own works or deservings.” We cannot be justified by our own works (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gal.%202%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal. 2:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). In the words of the homily mentioned above, “although this justification be free unto us, yet it cometh not so freely unto us, that there is no ransom paid therefore at all.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Third, it is “by faith,” or more precisely, “by faith only,” that we receive God’s declaration about us on the basis of Christ’s righteousness. Faith receives Christ. It is the means by which we are justified; it’s not the reason why: Jesus is. Thus true, justifying faith not only believes Holy Scripture and all its doctrines, but even more, it is “also to have a sure trust and confidence in God’s merciful promises.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/sola-fide-mean#fn1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            In other words, faith is not merely knowledge nor even assent to that knowledge. The demons have this “faith” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/James%202%3A19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           James 2:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This kind of “faith” allows you to still wallow in your sins:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For how can a man have this true faith, this sure trust and confidence in God, that by the merits of Christ, his sins be forgiven, and be reconciled to the favor of God, and to be partaker of the kingdom of heaven by Christ, when he lives ungodly, and denieth Christ in his deeds?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/sola-fide-mean#fn2" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is why we as Protestants always need to assert that justification by faith alone doesn’t mean that this justifying faith lives alone in us without true repentance, hope, love, and the fear of God. Yet, as far as our being accounted righteous before God by God, sola fide means God graciously justified us apart from our works.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The “what” of sola fide leads to “why” it matters. Remember, it is “wholesome” and “very full of comfort.” The profit of this doctrine “advances and sets forth the true glory of Christ, and beats down the vain glory of man.” When you and I consider the infinite gifts that God gives, though we are undeserving, we are led to drop to our knees in humble adoration! Justification sola fide does not lead the true believer into spiritual slothfulness, but
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           to render ourselves unto God wholly with all our will, hearts, might, and power; to serve him in all good deeds, obeying his commandments during our lives; to seek in all things his glory and honour, not our sensual pleasures and vainglory; evermore dreading willingly to offend such a merciful God and loving Redeemer in word, thought, or deed . . . [to] move us for his sake also to be ever ready to give ourselves to our neighbours, and, as much as lieth in us, to study with all our endeavor, to do good to every man. These be the fruits of true faith: to do good, as much as lieth in us, to every man; and, above all things and in all things, to advance the glory of God, of whom only we have our sanctification, justification, salvation, and redemption. To whom be ever glory, praise, and honour world without end. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/sola-fide-mean#fn3" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/sola-fide-mean" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/sola-fide-mean
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2022 14:38:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-26-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-25-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-25-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-25-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wayward Sheep
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           … In their distress earnestly seek me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Hosea%205:15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hosea 5:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Losses and adversities are frequently the means that the Great Shepherd uses to bring home His wandering sheep; like fierce dogs they worry the wanderers back to the fold. Well-fed lions defy our attempts to tame them; they must be brought down from their great strength, and their stomachs must be lowered, and then they will submit to the tamer’s hand. How often have we seen the Christian rendered obedient to the Lord’s will by the absence of bread and the presence of difficulty. When rich and increased in goods, many professors carry their heads much too loftily and speak exceeding boastfully. Like David, they flatter themselves: “My mountain stands firm; I shall never be moved.”1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When the Christian grows wealthy, is in good repute, or has good health and a happy family, he too often admits Mr. Carnal-Security2 to feast at his table, and then if he is a true child of God there is a rod preparing for him. Wait awhile, and perhaps you will see his substance melt away as a dream. There goes a portion of his estate—how soon the acres change hands. That debt, that dishonored bill—how fast his losses roll in; where will they end? It is a blessed sign of divine life if, when these embarrassments occur one after another, he begins to be distressed about his backslidings and turns afresh to God. Blessed are the waves that wash the mariner upon the rock of salvation!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Losses in business are often sanctified to our soul’s enriching. If the chosen soul will not come to the Lord full-handed, it shall come empty. If God, in His grace, finds no other means of making us honor Him among men, He will cast us into the deep; if we fail to honor Him on the pinnacle of riches, He will bring us into the valley of poverty. Yet do not faint, heir of sorrow, when you are rebuked in this fashion; rather, recognize the loving hand that chastens and say, “I will arise and go to my Father.”3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) See Psalm 30:6-7
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           2) The Holy War (John Bunyan)
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           3) Luke 15:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/7/25/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/7/25/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2022 14:36:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-25-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>George Whitefield Program '22 Ministry Report - Tim Live</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/george-whitefield-program-22-ministry-report-tim-live</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The only hope that this world has is in Christ.  What a blessing to fellowship with these brothers and fellow evangelists.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Tim+Live.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SFOI Live with Special Guest,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Tim Ferguson 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/georgewhitefieldprogram" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #georgewhitefieldprogram
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Testimony from Tim Ferguson after attending George Whitefield Program
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch below:
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference#ministryreports"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference#ministryreports
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 28 Jul 2022 22:06:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/george-whitefield-program-22-ministry-report-tim-live</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Tim+Live.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>George Whitefield Program '22 Ministry Report - Will</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/george-whitefield-program-22-ministry-report-will</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The only hope that this world has is in Christ.  What a blessing to fellowship with these brothers and fellow evangelists.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Will+Dieterich+GWP+ministry+reports.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Will Dieterich
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Images George Whitefield Program - Do the work of an Evangelist
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference#ministryreports"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference#ministryreports
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 28 Jul 2022 21:55:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/george-whitefield-program-22-ministry-report-will</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Will+Dieterich+GWP+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-22-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-22-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-22-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Behold
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Behold the man!’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%2019:5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            John 19:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If there be one place where our Lord Jesus most fully becomes the joy and comfort of His people, it is where He plunged deepest into the depths of woe. Come, gracious souls, and behold the Man in the garden of Gethsemane; behold His heart so brimming with love that He cannot hold it in—so full of sorrow that it must find expression. Behold the bloody sweat as it distills from every pore of His body and falls upon the ground. Behold the Man as they drive the nails into His hands and feet. Look up, repenting sinners, and see the sorrowful image of your suffering Lord. Consider Him as the ruby drops stand on the thorn-crown and adorn with priceless gems the diadem of the King of Misery. Behold the Man when all His bones are out of joint, and He is poured out like water and brought into the dust of death; God has forsaken Him, and hell surrounds Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Look and see, was there ever sorrow like His sorrow that is done unto Him? All passersby pause and look upon this spectacle of grief, a wonder to men and angels, an unparalleled phenomenon. Behold the Emperor of Woe who had no equal or rival in His agonies! Gaze upon Him, you mourners, for if there is no consolation in a crucified Christ there is no joy in earth or heaven. If in the ransom price of His blood there is no hope, there is no joy in the harps of heaven, and the right hand of God shall know no pleasures forevermore.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We need only sit more continually at the cross to be less troubled with our doubts and woes. We need only see His sorrows, and our sorrows we shall be ashamed to mention; we need only to gaze into His wounds and heal our own. If we would live properly, it must be by the contemplation of His death; if we would rise to dignity, it must be by considering His humiliation and His sorrow.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 22 Jul 2022 14:59:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-22-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-21-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-21-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-21-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hate and Death Flipped Upside Down
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus stunned his auditors, saying, “I tell you who hear me, ‘Love your enemies, do good to them…’” (Luke 6:27). To our natural way of thinking, this is all turned around: “Hate your enemies; do them harm” makes more sense and is eminently doable, too. And the reason it comes so naturally is that it is self-justifying. They are the problem. If it weren’t for them. Vilification of the other is married to the justification of the self.But again, Jesus takes things to a whole different level with his, “But I tell you.” That “I” makes all the difference because he is the all-authoritative One (Matt. 28:18). He is the king. By his dictum, he establishes new states of affairs. Here he opens the door to a new world, indeed, to the very kingdom of God itself — a kingdom of mercy: love your enemies. Those who oppose you, who repudiate your life: love them; pray for your persecutors — pray for their conversion, for their salvation: “Be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). Be impossibly merciful like God, because it is now the Spirit of God that possesses you, you who are baptized. Don’t be like the world that loves the friend and hates the enemy. Be like your Father in heaven who causes the sun to rise on good and evil, on his friends and his foes, who sends rain on the just and the unjust, saint and sinner alike. Even more than that: who sent his Son to take away the sin of the world, to redeem and justify the world in his own death, who came to save sinners and to die for the ungodly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Love your haters. Pray for your persecutors. Go beyond the circle of those who like you and praise you and affirm you to those who despise you, slap you in the face, steal from you. When you go that extra mile with your enemy, then you are venturing into Jesus-Territory – a frontier where love is for the loveless, mercy for the merciless, redemption for the unredeemable, salvation for the unsalvageable. And venturing there, you will find just how deep the corruption of sin goes through you and how high the demands of the law are to you, and how utterly dependent we are upon the grace of God and that his grace is truly sufficient for us; his mercies new each morning. Step by step, law by law, jot by tittle, Jesus has raised the bar of the law to insurmountable heights. From murder and divorce and adultery of the heart to love for enemy and a second cheek to one who would slap your face. And as impossibly high as the bar made be for us, the Gospel of God’s mercy toward us in Christ Jesus is even higher.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 6:27-36 is a lesson on the magnitude of divine grace set in stark polarity to our inabilities outside of his grace.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be merciful as your Father in heaven is merciful. Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The law can’t get you there. The law can hold out the standard, but it can’t help you meet it. It can raise the bar, but it can’t lift you over it. It can declare to you what is necessary for life with God, but it can only deliver you dead at his doorstep. Were you a sinless saint, well then, this law would be automatic to you, second nature. You would do it without thought or struggle. You would do it as naturally as breathing. You would automatically turn the other cheek, walk the extra mile, give to beggar and borrower, love your enemy, pray for your persecutor. You would be Adam before the Fall, the image of God who made you. You would be merciful as the Lord your God is merciful, perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect. You would be his Son. But that is not how we are by nature. Instead, we need perfection, a righteousness that is supernatural — alien to our nature. We need grace and mercy to be manifest in the flesh for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The gospel of Luke 6:27-36 declares that there is one who is merciful as the Lord our God. There is one who is perfect as his Father in heaven, who is the very image or icon of the invisible God (Col. 1:15). There is one man who embodies all people, who strides through the frontier of human impossibility and does the law down to the least little jot and the smallest tittle of detail.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            He loves his enemies.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            He prays for his persecutors.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            He gives his cheeks to those who slap him.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            He carries his cross the extra mile.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            He dies for his enemies.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            He dies for imperfect you to render you perfectly righteous before his Father.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus came to do the law and so saves us by fulfilling our obligations before the law. He left his Father’s glory; He emptied himself of all the perks and privileges of being the eternal Son of God. He took up our humanity, our flesh and blood. He humbled himself and became obedient to his own law. He did it perfectly, and it killed him. The law that always accuses, always demands, always kills. The wages of sin is death. The power of sin to kill is the law. Jesus became sin for us so that the law would kill him. The King, the Christ, can represent his people, and so he became us under the law to bear the penalty of the law, though he himself was without sin. Sin was put to death in his flesh in your place, and so the law is satisfied. Perfect justice is attained.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The law drops us dead at the feet of Jesus so that Jesus can raise us from the dead.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The law still kills, and that means it kills you. Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. Because sin must be put to death, but the law is not the last word. Christ is, for he is the Word — the Word made flesh and given for the life of the world (John 6). And now the law brings you to Christ. Not as a living saint but as a dead sinner. And the law drops you down dead at the feet of Jesus—and it is just where you need to be. Just where every sinner needs to be. Dead at the feet of Jesus. “You were dead in your trespasses and sin, but God made you alive in Christ Jesus.” “He became sin for us who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The law drops us dead at the feet of Jesus so that Jesus can raise us from the dead. And in raising us, Jesus does two things for us.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           First, he forgives. He has taken your sin from you and placed it as far from you as the east is from the west. He has buried all your murders, adulteries, divorces, anger, resentments, bitterness, your failure to love your enemy and to give to him who asks. You are forgiven in Christ. He has washed you in his blood and buried you in his death. You are baptized, a reborn child of God.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Second, he gives you something you don’t have: his holiness, his righteousness, his perfection, his Holy Spirit, under the law. They’re yours in him. In him, you are holy. In him, you are righteous. In him, you are innocent, blameless, perfect. Not in yourself, but only in Christ are you these things. He takes the law into his own hands and gives it to you as a fulfilled gift. He is your holiness, your righteousness, your innocence and perfection under the law so that when the devil, the world, or your conscience accuse you with the law and say, “Look at you! How can you call yourself a child of God?” you stand in Jesus with your baptism and say, “Nevertheless, I am baptized! And if I am baptized, I have the promise that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and body.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Be merciful just as your Father is merciful. Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And in Christ, you are by faith. So we walk with him in the Spirit, and we watch him fulfill the law and die our death and rise to raise us with his life in the recounting of the holy gospel. And now, for us, both come in a meal, for both are but qualities, properties of Christ Jesus himself. Put your mind at rest concerning this impossible law. Put it to rest by a graphic communion with him who is holy and perfect: This is the Holy Communion for you. This is the meal of perfection that perfects the imperfect. For as he is, so shall we be — by this Word and by this meal.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/hate-and-death-flipped-upside-down" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/hate-and-death-flipped-upside-down
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 21 Jul 2022 16:57:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-21-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-20-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-20-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-20-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Worship Animates Evangelism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Introduction – John Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury during the Second World War, remarked: ‘The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members.’ How often we put aside the missional nature of Christianity that bubbles throughout the Bible – and not least that we find in the Psalms.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the Anglican Connection Conference last year, Dr. Jim Salladin, Senior Minister of Emmanuel Anglican Church, New York City, gave two Bible Reflections, morning and afternoon, on Psalm 96. He spoke on the missional focus of the Psalm’s theme that there is only one LORD.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here is the first of Jim’s reflections with the title, ‘Worship Animates Evangelism’. While his notes were prepared for a spoken rather than a written presentation, we are grateful for his permission to use them for this week’s ‘Word on Wednesday’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reflection: Psalm 19 (#2) – John Yates III
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Well good morning everyone. It is great to be part of the conference today. Let’s get to it. We are looking at Psalm 96 this morning and this afternoon.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Right now the focus is verses 1-6 And I want to talk about motivation for evangelism. What motivates us to proclaim the Gospel? What motivates evangelism?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now this is a huge issue isn’t it? I mean most Bible believing Christians know we should all do evangelism. But the reality is evangelism is scary – a lot of our people are ashamed and let’s face it, aren’t you ashamed sometimes?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, what motivates evangelism? What animates evangelism? What moves it from duty to delight? Answer: According to Psalm 96 it is worship. Worship animates evangelism. You will proclaim the Gospel when you are captivated by God’s glory. Let me show you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 96 is super strange for a bunch of reasons. Here is one reason it is strange. It is a worship song packed full of commandments. Look at the first few verses. The Psalm is quivering with commands: Sing! Sing! Sing! Bless! Tell! Declare! That is just the first 3 verses.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Clearly this Psalm wants us to do something. What does it want us to do? We find out in verse 3: Declare [the LORD’s] glory among the nations. There it is:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This Psalm is a commission to proclaim, tell and declare the LORD’s glory. Or in verse 2, the LORD’s salvation to all nations. It is a little bit like the Great Commission:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 96 says: “Hey, whole world, listen up! Join me. Get on board with declaring God’s glory among all nations. Proclaim his glory, evangelize and tell everyone about the LORD of Israel! Now that is surprising. Does that surprise you? Did you know the Great Commission is anticipated in the Old Testament?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But again my question is why? Why does this Psalm think that we should proclaim the LORD among all the nations? And he answers that question in verse 4. Why should we proclaim the LORD among the nations? What is the motivation for Gospel ministry?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Verse 4: For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Psalmist is convinced that the LORD is great, so great and so magnificent, so powerful and so glorious that he outshines every other god any nation could imagine. The Psalmist is driven by the conviction that the LORD is glorious. His proclamation is driven by worship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Look with me more closely at verse 5. Do you see the contrast between worthless idols and the LORD who made the heavens? His argument there is sort of interesting. I expect the Psalm to say: The LORD is real. The idols are fake.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That is true, but that is not the Psalm’s point. The argument is: ‘The LORD is way more valuable than idols. The argument is: The LORD is more worthy of worship than idols. Idols are stupid and worthless. And when you really see the glory of the LORD, when you see the LORD who created everything, then you will drop your idols like a bad habit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Can you see it is an argument animated by worship. It is an argument that only works if you really think that the LORD is supremely valuable. And we can fill in a bit more detail here.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In verse 5 the LORD is valuable because he created everything. In verse 2, the LORD is glorious because of his works of salvation. The LORD is glorious because of both creation &amp;amp; redemption. The Psalmist says: Look at all God did in creation – all the beauty of this world, the sky, the mountains, works of art, humanity itself. God made it all. So all you find compelling in this world, is just a shadow of his glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But then add to that all God did in redemption and in salvation, all God did for Israel – the Passover and the Exodus, the Mana in the Wilderness, all of it – put all that together and you will see that the LORD’S glory dwarfs all possible competitors.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now friends, that conviction, that heart worship is what drives boldness in evangelism, when you can see (verse 6) the splendor and majesty, the strength and beauty that are before the LORD. That is when it makes sense to obey the commands to sing and sing, and sing and bless, tell, declare his glory among the nations. Worship drives evangelism.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Does it drive you? Many of us are pastors. You know how sometimes you get people;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           they are pretty moral. Maybe their hearts are cold; they might not be converted; they are not driven by love yet. Well, what do they need? They need the gospel. They need verse 3; they need the glory of God to be declared to their hearts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But guess what? It’s possible to is possible to be a preacher. It is possible to be a pretty good preacher, an expositor of the Bible. It is possible to say all the right things and yet still to have a cold heart.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Can you (verse 6) see something of the LORD’s splendor and majesty, his strength and beauty? When you say (verse 4) that the LORD is great, is that mainly a correct statement, or is it also the conviction of your soul? Well, if you look at your heart and find it cold, what do you need?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I think you are orthodox enough to know the answer: you need the Gospel. You need verse 3, the glory of God declared to you. And you know that you see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. He died so that our heart of stone could be replaced with a heart of flesh. He became sin so that we might become the righteousness of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Look at him. Receive his mercy again and you will see his splendor. Jesus was glorified when he was lifted up on the Cross. He was lifted up so that we could be lifted out of our sin. Sing his glory among the nations. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/worship-animates-evangelism-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/worship-animates-evangelism-2/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 20 Jul 2022 14:15:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-20-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-19-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-19-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-19-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Waiting in Faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When Abraham arrived in Canaan, it was by no means a great nation. But he dwelt there, living in tents. God may have prepared a mansion for him in heaven, but in Canaan all he had was a tent. The only parcel of Canaan he ever actually owned was his burial plot.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Most importantly, Abraham waited. This is perhaps the hardest test of faith. Unrealized expectations make for bitterness and despair in many people's lives. But Abraham waited in faith, just as God later required of the prophet Habakkuk, when He said: "Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry" (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Hab.%202%3A2%E2%80%933/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hab. 2:2–3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Abraham waited in faith and died in faith. With the rest of the Old Testament saints, it was said: "And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us" (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Heb.%2011%3A39%E2%80%9340/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 11:39–40
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Coram Deo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you have a good testimony of faith? Have you learned to wait in faith for God to move on your behalf?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/waiting-faith" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/waiting-faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jul 2022 12:28:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-19-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-18-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-18-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-18-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Spirit of Order
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They [locusts] do not jostle one another; each marches in his path.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Joel%202:8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Joel 2:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Locusts always keep their rank, and although their number is legion, they do not crowd upon each other, so as to throw their columns into confusion. This remarkable fact in natural history shows how thoroughly the Lord has infused the spirit of order into His universe, since the smallest animate creatures are as much controlled by it as are the rolling spheres or the angelic throng. It would be wise for believers to be ruled by the same influence in all their spiritual life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In their Christian graces no one virtue should usurp the sphere of another or feed off the rest for its own support. Affection must not smother honesty, courage must not elbow weakness out of the field, modesty must not jostle energy, and patience must not slaughter resolution. So also with our duties. One must not interfere with another; public usefulness must not injure private piety; church work must not push family worship into a corner. It is wrong to offer God one duty stained with the blood of another. Each thing is beautiful in its season, but not otherwise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The same rule applies to our personal position. We must take care to know our place, take it, and keep to it. We must minister as the Spirit has given us ability, and not intrude upon our fellow servant’s domain. Our Lord Jesus taught us not to covet the high places, but to be willing to be the least among our brothers and sisters. Let us say no to an envious, ambitious spirit; let us feel the force of the Master’s command and do as He bids us, keeping in step with the rest of the company. Tonight let us see whether we are keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace, and let our prayer be that in all the churches of the Lord Jesus peace and order may prevail.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 Jul 2022 14:19:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-18-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-15-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-15-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-15-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ's Delivery
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He appeared first to Mary Magdalene.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Mark%2016:9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 16:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus “appeared first to Mary Magdalene,” probably not only on account of her great love and persevering seeking, but because, as the context intimates, she had been a special trophy of Christ’s delivering power. Learn from this that the greatness of our sin before conversion should not make us imagine that we may not be specially favored with the very highest grade of fellowship. She was one who had left all to become a constant attendant on the Savior. He was her first, her chief, object.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many who were on Christ’s side did not take up Christ’s cross; she did. She spent her substance in relieving His wants. If we would see much of Christ, let us serve Him. Tell me who they are who sit most often under the banner of His love and drink the deepest from the cup of communion, and I am sure they will be those who give most, who serve best, and who abide closest to the bleeding heart of their dear Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But notice how Christ revealed Himself to this sorrowing one—by a word: “Mary.”1 It needed but one word in His voice, and at once she knew Him. Her heart expressed allegiance by another word, but her heart was too full to say more. That one word would naturally be the most fitting for the occasion. It implies obedience. She said, “Master” [KJV]. There is no state of mind in which this confession of allegiance will be too cold. When your spirit glows most with the heavenly fire, then you will say, “I am your servant. . . . You have loosed my bonds.”2 If you can say, “Master,” if you feel that His will is your will, then you stand in a happy, holy place. He must have said, “Mary,” or else you could not have said, “Rabboni,” “Master.” See, then, from all this how Christ honors those who honor Him, how love draws our Beloved, how it needs but one word of His to turn our weeping to rejoicing, how His presence makes the heart’s sunshine.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) John 20:16
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           2) Psalm 116:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/7/15/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/7/15/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 Jul 2022 14:17:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-15-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-14-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-14-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-14-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Having Done All to Stand
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           History’s Mirror.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While mighty men and influential kings assert their will, nothing happens outside of God’s will. His Word is the dominant, overriding force of history, every moment of which unfolds according to his sovereign Word, not man’s. That, I think, makes for a good thesis by which we can understand the historian’s intent behind tracing the histories of God’s people through the Books of the Kings. Tracking with the winding accounts of the downfall of God’s covenant people is a resonant endeavor — and not just because I enjoy pondering the events of history and how they echo today, but also because the story of Israel’s and Judah’s downfall is our story, too. The tragedy which befell God’s people bespeaks the tragedy of humanity. The collapse of king after king after king is a mirror preserved for the likes of you and me. And this mirror is held up for us so that we might see the disintegration and devastation which ensues when sin and sedition and strife become normative.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, the mirror of history shows us exactly what it looks like when God and his Word aren’t just ignored but are abandoned entirely. And the painful part is that we’re meant to see ourselves in that reflection. That’s a tedious endeavor, to be sure. But within the realization and admission that we have more in common with history’s failures, we, likewise, confess that we are desperate for a deliverer. For outside aid. For assistance that comes to us. And that’s sort of the point of history, I do believe. History is the painful realization that we aren’t the ones who can save the world but, rather, we’re the ones who get saved. We are the helpless whom God delights to strengthen. We are the lost whom the Son traverses high and low to find. Realizing that puts us in good company, situating us right where God wants us: at his feet ready to receive what he delights in giving.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Spitting On Your Heritage.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After switching back and forth between the kingdoms in chapter 15, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2016/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            focuses solely on the kingdom of Judah. The historian picks up right where he left off, with Jotham’s son Ahaz ascending the throne (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2015%3A38%3B%2016%3A1%E2%80%932/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 15:38; 16:1–2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It will soon become clear that with Ahaz’s coronation, the apple has fallen woefully far from the tree, as the saying goes. The utterly awful Ahaz proceeds to bring Judah to all-time-lows socially, politically, and spiritually. The truly disturbing fact, though, lies in his blatant disregard for his Davidic heritage. Rather than establish his ways “in the sight of the Lord,” Ahaz follows “the way of the kings of Israel” and “the abominations of the heathen,” trampling all over the rich history of promise and hope which was given to the kings of Judah (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2016%3A3%E2%80%934/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 16:3–4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; cf. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Sam.%207/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Sam. 7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He was content with imitating the waywardness of Israel’s kings and mimicking the wickedness of pagan overlords.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And the kicker is that it’s Ahaz himself who paves the way for this latest embrace of debauchery. He’s the ringleader of this descent into darkness, most glaringly exemplified in his appalling act of making “his son to pass through the fire” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2016%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 16:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Ahaz sealed his commitment to obey his newfound pagan deities by burning the flesh of his own son, which serves as the grotesque epitome of rejecting God and his Word (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%207%3A31/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 7:31
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ezek.%2016%3A21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ezek. 16:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The king’s atrocious embrace of infanticide was an overt transgression of God’s ancient command to his people that such practices be abolished out of the land (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Deut.%2018%3A9%E2%80%9310/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deut. 18:9–10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). God’s chosen people were to have nothing at all to do with such horrific rituals and heinous customs. Thus, while King Ahaz might’ve thought of himself as a “progressive” leader, what with his wholesale implementation of these new worship practices, he was actually regressing the people of God by several centuries.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This regression manifests politically, too, as Syria and Israel make war with Judah (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2016%3A5%E2%80%936/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 16:5–6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). During the conflict, Ahaz loses control over the city of Elath, which was a critical trading port at the mouth of the Red Sea. Judah’s economy was gut-punched by these incursions. And who do you think King Ahaz turns to in this time of desperation and abject need? That’s right, Tiglath-pileser III, king of Assyria. This tactic isn’t all that surprising, as Ahaz already demonstrated a flagrant disregard for anything remotely related to Yahweh.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even still, it’s somewhat shocking how hastily and pitifully he turns to the Assyrian overlord for aid. He bows before Tiglath-pileser, referring to himself as his “servant and son,” and asking him to be his savior (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2016%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 16:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And to sweeten the deal, Ahaz decides to liquidate the bank accounts of the temple and the palace in order to pay off his new despotic deliverer (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2016%3A8%E2%80%939/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 16:8–9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This “deal with the devil” is even more inexcusable when you consider that it was none other than the eminent prophet Isaiah who offered Ahaz a timely word from the Lord during this exact crisis (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Isa.%207%3A1%E2%80%939/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 7:1–9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This oracle assured him of deliverance, of consummate victory over his invaders. But even after Ahaz was given this word of divine counsel and comfort and assurance, he proceeded to spit upon those words as he rushed to kiss the feet of that Assyrian tyrant. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kings-Power-Fury-Focus-Bible/dp/1845500962" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dale Ralph Davis sums it up
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            well when he writes, “Ahaz repudiates the Davidic covenant as he licks Tiglath-pileser’s boots” (233).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rebellion With a Capital-R.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This, of course, was very cutting edge, very “progressive” for the kingdom of God’s people. After Tilglath-pileser routed Judah’s adversaries at Damascus, Ahaz decides to pay a visit to that site of Assyrian triumph, perhaps looking to stay in the good graces of his new Assyrian savior. Once there, however, he becomes enamored with the way the people of Damascus worshiped. He sees their altar and immediately knows he has to have one for himself (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2016%3A10%E2%80%9313/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 16:10–13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The historian mentions the city of Damascus some six times in a mere three verses; a not so subtle nod that this venture to bring the religion of Syria back home was not at all what God had in mind. It’s an appalling, reprehensible move. And once again, it’s King Ahaz who’s at the center of it. He copies the plans and commissions the priests to build this new altar according to his exact specifications. And to further emphasize Ahaz’s defiance of Yahweh, the historian tells us all about how he meddles with the layout and liturgy of God’s house, moving the altar and interfering with the offerings (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2016%3A14%E2%80%9318/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 16:14–18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This, to be sure, was way more serious than a simple afternoon of rearranging furniture. This was an unabashed act of contempt for the authority and dignity of God’s Word. It’s Rebellion, with a capital-R. You almost can’t get more obvious in your disdain and disgust for Yahweh and his Word than the attempt to refashion his worship according to what suits you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Priest Who Doesn’t Fold.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the end, all Ahaz accomplished was to bring the people of Judah into full submission not to Lord Jehovah but to Lord Tiglath-pileser. He was their master, their director. Ahaz was a thoroughly corrupt king — and corrupt leaders are going to act corruptly. No surprise there. What is surprising, though, is the glaring inaction of Urijah the priest. Urijah is the “man of the cloth” who’s mentioned throughout Ahaz’s idolatrous initiative, but each time he comes up, he does a whole lot of nothing (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2016%3A10%E2%80%9311%2C%2015%E2%80%9316/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 16:10–11, 15–16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He’s an incredibly passive priest, caving to the whims of his mad king and following along with whatever venture he had brewing. Urijah protested nothing, made no stand for truth, and offered little in the way of resistance or resilience, even as his king trampled all over the precious words and ways of God. It’s alarming how pathetically this spineless steward of God’s truth abdicated his calling as a priest of God. Instead of upholding the power and preeminence of the Word, he relinquishes said calling in favor of appeasing his king. “As you wish, oh king,” I can hear him say.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Incidentally, while King Ahaz might get most of the attention throughout this chapter, what with his child sacrifice couched as religious progressivism, Urijah the priest is the more critical character. For better or worse, he is our proxy, our example. In a way, he represents the church. As a priest, Urijah’s assignment was to maintain and cultivate a holy reverence in the hearts of the people of God through the ministry of the Word of God. Nothing and no one was to trump the authority of that Word, and the priests were to see to that. In a similar way, you and I have been given the same charge. We are God’s “royal priesthood” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Pet.%202%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Pet. 2:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). We’ve been ushered into priestly service by the blood of Yahweh incarnate (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Isa.%2061%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 61:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rev.%201%3A6%3B%205%3A10%3B%2020%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Which means that we, too, have been called to minister God’s Word into the hearts and lives of everyone around us. This, to be sure, cannot be done if we’re kneeling before the whims of the world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nothing that honors God ever results from the church taking its cues from outside sources. When the church resigns itself to the impulses of politicians or personalities, it has already lost. When the absolute authority of King Jesus is compromised, everything else will soon follow suit. Compromise is swiftly followed by crumbling. It’s like that old adage says: “If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.” Urijah’s failure serves to remind us of the gravity of our errand. Ours is a world not too dissimilar from the one described by the historian — one that’s fraught with disarray and disorder. And what are God’s priests to do in such an environment of upheaval? What are we to do as the world around us rushes hastily to “hell in a hand-basket”? In short, “take your stand”: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Eph.%206%3A11%E2%80%9313/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 6:11–13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The priests of God are those who relish and revel in the concrete truths of his revealed Word. They stand in the armor of God which is afforded to them in the gospel of God. They abide the growing maelstrom of compromise and corruption not because they possess some adamantine resolve, but because they are flanked by a greater Priest who doesn’t fold, or fail, or waver in his ministry on behalf of his beloved. Instead of indifference, this Great High Priest is interested and concerned for the well-being of those under his care, so much so that he’s willing to take their place of death if it means they are preserved. The “merciful and faithful high priest” of the gospel (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Heb.%202%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 2:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) puts himself in harm’s way in order to secure the eternal welfare of those he loves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/having-done-all-to-stand" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/having-done-all-to-stand
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 14 Jul 2022 21:35:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-14-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-13-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-13-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-13-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Word of God...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Introduction – John Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Last year the Anglican Connection held an online conference with the theme, ‘The Unchanging God in a World of Change’. As the Bible provides timeless answers to questions about life various speakers brought us reflections on the Scriptures to remind us or to help us learn of God and the world in which we live.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dr. John Yates, Senior Minister of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Raleigh, NC, gave us two meditations on Psalm 19. With John’s permission, here is his second reflection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reflection: Psalm 19 (#2) – John Yates III
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This morning we listened in to the silent song of heaven in the opening verses of Psalm 19. Bruce Waltke and Jim Houston wonderfully summarize the impact of that song when they write that, “The firmament’s uninterrupted proclamation of God’s glory is copious, extravagant, powerful, and inescapable.” (Houston &amp;amp; Waltke, p.360). It’s an apt description, isn’t it?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But the testimony of the heavens takes up only the first 6 verses of this Psalm. From v.7 on, no longer is it the sun, moon and stars singing God’s praise. Now it is David’s turn, and in taking up the song he shifts his attention to another source of divine knowledge: God’s law.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With this new focus David changes his language. In vv.1-6, the term he used for God was the Hebrew word El, which is a general term affirming that God is supreme and all-powerful. But from v.7 on David uses Yahweh, a personal and particular name given by God himself and shared with his people. Yahweh is the name of the covenant-maker, the God who reaches down into creation in order to make himself known by direct revelation to his people. And David carefully uses this name 7 times – the number of completion and perfection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While the grandeur of the heavens elicits awe in the opening lines, the intimacy of direct and personal revelation draws forth devotion in the verses that follow. David writes,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In vv.7-9 David uses 6 different terms for God’s revealed word. He speaks of law, testimony, precepts, commandments, and rules or decrees – covering every aspect of God’s self-revelation. He also speaks of the purifying fear of the Lord, which is the attitude of every heart that rightly encounters God’s word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What does this polyvalent word from God accomplish? David explains in rapid-fire succession. First it revives – it gives new life. Second, it takes the simple, the ill-equipped, the ignorant and makes them wise. Third, it brings forth deep-seated joy. Fourth, it makes the eyes of those who read and obey it sparkle with righteousness. Fifth, it produces pure, single-hearted, fearful devotion to God himself. Finally, it sets all who hear it on a firm and unalterable foundation – the eternal and unchanging character of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While the heavens declare the glory of God, it is the law of Yahweh that reveals his love and goodness. The heavens tell us that there is a sovereign, powerful God who created all things in a precise and orderly manner. But only God’s law can convince us that this God is good and loving and so concerned for the people he created that he invites them to call on him by name.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In vv.10-11 David’s exploration of the goodness of God’s word continues as he offers insight into the value, desirability and effectiveness of this word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s word is more valuable than even the most well-refined gold. In other words, there is nothing on earth that surpasses it in value. God’s word is also desirable, sweeter even than the sweetest honey left trapped in the honeycomb. There is nothing that tastes as good as God’s word or is as deeply satisfying to consume. As Thomas Cranmer wrote in his preface to the Great Bible, “in the Scriptures are the fat pastures of the soul.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Finally, the one who heeds God’s word and obeys it is warned of dangers and rewarded by faithfulness. God’s revelation to us accomplishes something. It is powerfully effective to rescue and to bless those who keep it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Back in v. 4 David invited us to consider the sun: 1.3 million times the size of earth, containing 98% of the mass in our solar system, and burning at a temperature of 27 million degrees Fahrenheit at its core. This blazing sphere cries out “glory” like no other star in the sky. But the power of it’s testimony pales in comparison to the words of God himself. This is what David is trying to show us in vv.7-11.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No wonder Spurgeon once said of God’s word: “it is a crime to add to it, treason to alter it, and felony to take from it.” (See Houston &amp;amp; Waltke, p.365).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With this torrent of praise for the goodness of God’s word we might expect the psalm to end. But it doesn’t. There is one more section, one more change in focus – this time it is a shift inward. Verse 12,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The shift is abrupt and superficially surprising. We want David’s poem to end on a high. Instead it concludes with a plea rooted in the humility of one who has stood beneath the glories of heaven and reveled in the love of God’s revealed law. For David, this is the natural and necessary conclusion to his reflections.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He knows that his wanderings, his errors, his hidden faults and flaws make no sense at all in light of what he has seen and said. But he knows they are there and that he is ultimately powerless in the face of them. So he pleads not just for mercy but for protection and purification. He asks the all-powerful God who made the heavens, and the loving Lord who revealed his law, to reign in his life and strengthen him for obedience.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The whole psalm progresses with the logic of grace, and comes to its quiet climax in v.14 when David refers to God as his redeemer. The term is pregnant with meaning in the context of God’s law. It comes from the verb that describes the work of a near relative whose obligation is to rescue, protect, and restore life and liberty when a family member has strayed or been enslaved or abused.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The God whose glory fills the skies is David’s kinsman redeemer. How? David likely doesn’t fully understand himself. But we do. We know that the ultimate revelation of God’s glory and God’s love is not the stars that dazzle or the word that reveals. It is the only-begotten Son, slain from the foundation of the world. For Jesus came as our kinsman redeemer and laid down his own life that we might be restored to God our father.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Though the song of glory sung by the heavens echoes over us, and the revelation of divine love pours forth from God’s word, we cannot comprehend him until we meet his Son. Only in Jesus, our kinsman redeemer, do we see the full extent of God’s glory and love. And it is only through Jesus that we can hear the song of heaven and rightly read his word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So we pray with David: Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/the-word-of-god-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/the-word-of-god-2/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 Jul 2022 16:10:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-13-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bonnaroo Music Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - Joshua</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-joshua</link>
      <description>outreach international</description>
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            More people hearing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ - that's what it is all about!!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Joshua+Richards+Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+Outreach+outreach+international+9.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joshua Richards
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - As promised, here are the rest of the photos from the Bonnaroo Music Festival Outreach that I was not able to upload due to no cell reception. There were many mockers, and some who legitimately were sharing a false Gospel getting people to pray a sinners prayer, but there were some that stopped to just listen to the preaching. One of them I talked with briefly was named Ryan. As I talked to him, he Interrupted me so he could continue listening to the preaching. We also had I believe 2-3 Brothers who preached open air for the very first time. God was faithful as always. Pray for these dear souls!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2022 21:06:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-joshua</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+report+Joshua+Richards+Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+Outreach+outreach+international+9.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bonnaroo Music Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - Terry</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-terry-video</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            More people hearing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ - that's what it is all about!!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Terry+video+.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joshua Richards
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother Terry
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            preaching open air at Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, TN. Cell reception is awful at the moment, so more ministry photos coming at a later time. We had many, many one on one's, handed out hundreds of tracts and preached open air to thousands of young folks seeped in debauchery, drugs, alcohol, and heresy. Thanks be to God for His Gospel! 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXc1dYtbHUXeQbPLZG1muDt6JPm3UUDMvHjpJFNjKt0V8M-CBoze9MkKaiyib1tWDIh-ru4pESsneb_bFKmt40ZtaJOnl7ZCYq_dEyUfs5EghXngXtnm4-PUSAwOyL05zXeSdhjXMqxdb4pkVyz5gc-8ABcVlzllk11rb0t7tXxcg&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/evangelism?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXc1dYtbHUXeQbPLZG1muDt6JPm3UUDMvHjpJFNjKt0V8M-CBoze9MkKaiyib1tWDIh-ru4pESsneb_bFKmt40ZtaJOnl7ZCYq_dEyUfs5EghXngXtnm4-PUSAwOyL05zXeSdhjXMqxdb4pkVyz5gc-8ABcVlzllk11rb0t7tXxcg&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #evangelism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch here
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            : 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/100014037816915/videos/599779281397149/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/100014037816915/videos/599779281397149/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2022 21:01:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-terry-video</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Terry+video+.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bonnaroo Music Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - Images</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-images</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            More people hearing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ - that's what it is all about!!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Stirling+Long+Birds+Eye+View+Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+Outreach+outreach+international.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Stirling Long
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Here’s a bird’s eye view of the task of Open Air Preaching at the Bonnaroo Music Festival. The authorities only allowed access to this Music Festival on certain roads. We we’re ably supported by the Pastors and congregation of “ Believers Chapel “ the Church of our organizer Brother Terry Cohea. It was wonderful to see so many men from this small congregation having a heart for the lost and wanting to fulfill the Great Commission. “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark‬ ‭16:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long+Birds+Eye+View+Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+Outreach+outreach+international.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2022 20:49:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-images</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Stirling+Long+Birds+Eye+View+Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+Outreach+outreach+international.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bonnaroo Music Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - Parade</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-parade</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            More people hearing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ - that's what it is all about!!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Pride+Parade.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Another Pride Parade this time at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester TN. There’s something amiss in our Nation when sin and debauchery is paraded with such arrogance and enthusiasm. This parade is a tiny picture of our Culture in America where a Holy Righteous God is totally absent and there is no fear of Him and His commandments are trashed or disdained by people loving their wickedness. A lifestyle where delusional thought is that it is easier to join in and belong. Holding true to the Bible instruction that we all are sinners and we love our sin. The more I go outside the church and preach the more I believe the accuracy of my bible. Romans 1 tells us that we suppress the truth of God by our unrighteousness. Forgetting what the prophet stated in Isaiah 2:12. “For the Lord of hosts will have a day of reckoning Against everyone who is proud and lofty And against everyone who is lifted up, That he may be abased.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭2:12‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2022 20:34:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-parade</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Pride+Parade.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bonnaroo Music Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - John</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-john</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            More people hearing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ - that's what it is all about!!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Group+Video+Main+image+Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+-Christiansportsoutreach.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Brother
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John Coble
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Open Air Preaching at Bonnaroo Music Festival today. Preaching how we all have broken God’s Laws. “Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are subject to the law, so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment.” Romans‬ ‭3:19‬ ‭CSB‬‬
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2022 20:31:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-john</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Group+Video+Main+image+Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+-Christiansportsoutreach.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-12-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-12-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-12-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ Did it All
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nestled along the Rhine River, Heidelberg was the site for the General Chapter, or assembly, of the Augustinian Order in May 1518. Staupitz, the general vicar (or head) of the order, seized this moment for Luther to speak to the crisis caused by the Ninety-Five Theses. Luther responded by drafting a new set of theses, the Twenty-Eight Theses for the Heidelberg Disputation. Though far less known than the theses nailed to the church door, these theses are the most important text during this period of Luther’s development. At one point in his life, Luther would declare, “Crux sola est nostra theologia,” meaning, “The cross alone is our theology.” That singular expression crystalizes what Luther was aiming at in the Twenty-Eight Theses at Heidelberg. Before enumerating the theses, Luther wrote a short introductory paragraph as a preface. The preface is essential for understanding the work as a whole. Luther starts off by noting that he distrusts “completely our own wisdom,” and so he relies on and draws from “St. Paul, the especially chosen vessel and instrument of Christ, and also from St. Augustine, his most trustworthy interpreter."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Latin expression ad fontes, “to the sources,” served as the Renaissance battle cry. It meant going back to the originals, or the fountainheads. This can be seen in the revival of Greco-Roman architecture and art. It can be seen in the desire to read Plato and Aristotle directly, instead of reading layers of medieval interpretations of Plato and Aristotle. In theology, it meant reading the Bible, and Augustine too, rather than reading layers of commentary on the primary sources. Ad fontes of the Renaissance is mirrored in the counterpart sola Scriptura of the Reformation. Luther’s short preface declares the sources of his teaching—Paul and Augustine. He also admits—and we need to see this—that the hearers and readers of the Twenty-Eight Theses will have to determine how “well or poorly” Luther deduced them from Paul and Augustine. Luther’s source, however, was the fountainhead. It was the “source” that led him to see how wrong the practice of penance became back in October 1517. The more Luther looked to the sources, the more wrong he saw in the church of his day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After the short paragraph preface comes the Twenty-Eight Theses. They compare and contrast what Luther calls a “theologian of glory” and a “theologian of the cross.” Typically, we associate glory, especially the glory of God, with good things. In this case, however, Luther sees a theologian of glory as a bad thing. A theologian of glory is the same as the false prophet who declares peace in thesis 92 of the Ninety-Five Theses. In Heidelberg thesis 21, Luther writes, “A theologian of glory calls evil good and good evil.” In using the term glory, Luther is talking about the inane idea that humanity itself has its own glory, or that humanity has the ability to please God and to perform righteousness. This idea leads the theologian of glory to disdain God’s grace. Divine grace is the good thing that a theologian of glory calls evil. In short, the theologian of glory exults in human ability and in works-righteousness. Standing in contrast to the theologian of glory is the theologian of the cross. The theologian of the cross starts with us—more specifically, with our misery. Thesis 18 reads, “It is certain that man must utterly despair of his own ability before he is prepared to receive the grace of Christ.” Consequently, thesis 25 informs us, “He is not righteous who does much, but he who, without work, believes much in Christ.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The theologian of glory actually does far worse than call grace evil. The theologian of glory, the one who trusts in human ability and trusts in the accumulation of merits and works, actually despises Christ. Then, in the last of the Twenty-Eight Theses, Martin Luther writes what very well may be the most beautiful sentence he ever wrote: “The love of God does not find, but creates, that which is pleasing to it.” The love of God will never find anything pleasing to it in us, because we are all sinners who are unrighteous and utterly distasteful to the Holy God. And so, God makes us righteous. He (re)creates us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many years later, in 1545, Luther reflected on his conversion, and offered up an extraordinary account of this event, one that hinges on understanding the difference between the active and the passive. So, Luther tells us:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Meanwhile, I had already during that year returned to interpret the Psalter anew. I had confidence in the fact that I was more skilful, after I had lectured in the university on St. Paul’s epistles to the Romans, to the Galatians, and the one to the Hebrews. I had indeed been captivated with an extraordinary ardor for understanding Paul in the Epistle to the Romans. But up till then it was not the cold blood about the heart, but a single word in Chapter 1, “In it the righteousness of God is revealed” that had stood in my way. For I hated that word “righteousness of God,” which, according to the use and custom of all the teachers, I had been taught to understand philosophically regarding the formal or active righteousness, as they call it, with which God is righteous and punishes the unrighteous sinner.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Though I lived as a monk without reproach, I felt that I was a sinner before God with an extremely disturbed conscience. I could not believe that he was placated by my satisfaction. I did not love, yes, I hated the righteous God who punishes sinners, and secretly, if not blasphemously, certainly murmuring greatly, I was angry with God, and said, “As if, indeed, it is not enough, that miserable sinners, eternally lost through original sin, are crushed by every kind of calamity by the law of the decalogue, without having God add pain to pain by the gospel and also by the gospel threatening us with his righteousness and wrath!” Thus I raged with a fierce and troubled conscience. Nevertheless, I beat importunately upon Paul at that place, most ardently desiring to know what St. Paul wanted. At last, by the mercy of God, meditating day and night, I gave heed to the context of the words, namely, “In it the righteousness of God is revealed, as it is written, ‘He who through faith is righteous shall live.’” There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that by which the righteous lives by a gift of God, namely by faith. And this is the meaning: the righteousness of God is revealed by the gospel, namely, the passive righteousness with which merciful God justifies us by faith, as it is written, “He who through faith is righteous shall live.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates. There a totally other face of the entire Scripture showed itself to me. Thereupon I ran through the Scripture from memory. I also found in other terms an analogy, as, the work of God, that is what God does in us, the power of God, with which he makes us wise, the strength of God, the salvation of God, the glory of God. And I extolled my sweetest word with a love as great as the hatred with which I had before hated the word “righteousness of God.” Thus that place in Paul was for me truly the gate to paradise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is the gospel. This is the doctrine of justification by faith alone. The key here is that Luther is passive. Christ takes on his sin. Christ achieves righteousness, in His obedience in His life and in His death on the cross. This was Luther’s discovery. Christ did it. All of it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/christ-did-it-all" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/christ-did-it-all
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2022 15:05:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-12-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bonnaroo Music Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - Tim</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-tim</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            More people hearing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ - that's what it is all about!!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Group+Video+Main+image+Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+-Christiansportsoutreach.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Stirling Long
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Brother
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tim Ferguson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Open Air Preaching at Bonnaroo Music Festival. Preaching the Gospel. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be just and justify the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans‬ ‭3:23, 26‬ ‭CSB‬‬
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2022 04:57:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-tim</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Group+Video+Main+image+Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+-Christiansportsoutreach.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-11-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-11-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-11-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our First Duty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Joel%201:3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Joel 1:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In this simple way, by God’s grace, a living testimony for truth is always to be kept alive in the land: The beloved of the Lord are to hand down their witness for the Gospel and the covenant to their heirs, and these again to their next descendants. This is our first duty; we are to begin at the family hearth: He is a bad preacher who does not commence his ministry at home. The heathen are to be sought by all means, and the highways and hedges are to be searched, but home has a prior claim, and woe to those who reverse the order of the Lord’s arrangements.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To teach our children is a personal duty; we cannot delegate it to Sunday school teachers or other friendly helpers. These can assist us but cannot deliver us from the sacred obligation; substitutes and sponsors are wicked devices in this case: Mothers and fathers must, like Abraham, command their households in the fear of God and talk with their offspring concerning the wondrous works of the Most High.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Parental teaching is a natural duty. Who is better fitted to look after the child’s well-being than those who are the authors of his actual being? To neglect the instruction of our children is worse than brutish. Family religion is necessary for the nation, for the family itself, and for the church of God. By a thousand plots empty religion is secretly advancing in our land, and one of the most effectual means for resisting its inroads is routinely neglected—namely, the instruction of our children in the faith. It is time for parents to awaken to a sense of the importance of this matter. It is a pleasant duty to talk of Jesus to our sons and daughters, and the more so because it has often proved to be an accepted work, for God has saved the children through the parents’ prayers and admonitions. May every house into which this volume shall come honor the Lord and receive His smile.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2022 14:05:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-11-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bonnaroo Music Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - Gary</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-gary</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            More people hearing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ - that's what it is all about!!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Group+Video+Main+image+Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+-Christiansportsoutreach.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Brother
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gary Purgason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Open Air Preaching at Bonnaroo Music Festival this morning. “There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven: a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build;”  ‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1-3‬ ‭CSB‬‬
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 08 Jul 2022 20:21:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-gary</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Group+Video+Main+image+Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+-Christiansportsoutreach.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-8-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-8-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-8-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You Are My Salvation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2025:5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Psalms 25:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When the believer has begun with trembling feet to walk in the way of the Lord, he still asks to be led onward like a little child upheld by its parent’s helping hand, and he yearns to receive further instruction in the alphabet of truth. Experimental teaching is the burden of this prayer. David knew much, but he felt his ignorance and desired to be still in the Lord’s school: four times over in two verses he applies for a scholarship in the college of grace. It would be better for many professors if instead of following their own devices and cutting out new paths of thought for themselves, they would inquire for the good old ways of God’s own truth and beseech the Holy Ghost to give them sanctified understandings and teachable spirits.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “For you are the God of my salvation.” Jehovah is the Author and Perfecter of salvation to His people. Reader, is He the God of your salvation? Do you find in the Father’s election, in the Son’s atonement, and in the Spirit’s quickening all the grounds of your eternal hopes? If so, you may use this as an argument for obtaining further blessings; if the Lord has ordained to save you, surely He will not refuse to instruct you in His ways. It is a happy thing when we can address the Lord with the confidence that David displays here; it gives us great power in prayer and comfort in trial.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “For you I wait all the day long.” Patience is the fair handmaid and daughter of faith; we cheerfully wait when we are certain that we shall not wait in vain. It is our duty and our privilege to wait upon the Lord in service, in worship, in expectancy, in trust all the days of our life. Our faith will be tried faith, and if it is of the true kind, it will bear continued trial without yielding. We shall not grow weary of waiting upon God if we remember how long and how graciously He once waited for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 08 Jul 2022 16:32:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-8-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-7-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-7-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-7-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rainstorms and Reformations
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rita. Katrina. Mitch. Andrew. These are all seemingly ordinary, harmless names. But when mixed with sustained winds of a category one, two, or three hurricanes, pounding rain bands, and a towering storm surge to top it all off, those ordinary names become infamous, violent storms. Storms like these change the world, change the landscape. Rivers plume and floods leaving their banks. Levees break, spilling into flood plains. Landslides move mountains and hillsides with the speed of a toddler spreading out his toys.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In a matter of minutes, storms change people as well and often for generations to come. Just ask anyone that lives in Tornado Alley or hurricane country. Towns and bridges wash away in the torrent leaving people stranded, homeless, or worse. Thriving communities are wiped off the map. Lives and livelihoods are ruined in a catastrophic blink of an eye.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not all violent storms create a path of destruction, however. At least one storm in history left not destruction but a reformation in its wake. On July 2, 1505, Martin Luther was nearing the end of his journey after visiting his parents. He was walking from Mansfeld back to Erfurt, where he had begun his studies to become a lawyer a little over a month prior. Near the town of Stotternheim, the clouds darkened. The winds picked up. Thunder clapped. Lightning flashed. Luther found himself in the middle of an early summer thunderstorm, not uncommon in east-central Germany.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Like the North American prairies, east-central Germany can pour down some vicious weather, with enough thunder and lightning to make it seem like the whole world is inescapably ablaze. Luther was on foot one day, near the town of Stotternheim, when he got caught in a torrent. The storm outside matched the conflict raging within himself. Overwhelmed, caught up in his terrors once more, he cried out for protection to the patron saint of miners, ‘St. Anne, help me, I will become a monk.’” (James A. Nestingen. Martin Luther: A Life. Minneapolis: Fortress Press. P. 13, 2003)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In time, this storm would give way to political, ecclesiastical, and theological changes in the landscape of Germany, the western church of the 16th century, and far beyond. Generations and generations have been affected by this storm and its after effect: the great rediscovery of the gospel by Luther in the Reformation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But all of that was far from Luther’s mind in 1505, nearly twelve years before he wrote the ninety-five theses and several more before he would mature into the pastor, theologian, and reformer we celebrate today. Historians differ on what was going through Luther’s mind as he took this leave of absence from law school. This was no stroll around the neighborhood, but a preplanned, purposeful journey, a quest you might say. Of what? That is the million-gilder question. What thoughts clouded Luther’s mind as he walked from Mansfeld to Erfurt?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Perhaps he had already been wrestling with his decision to go to law school. This pleased his father Hans. But did it please Luther? Perhaps thoughts of his recent completion of a master’s degree filled his mind. Perhaps Luther was battling his own anfechtung, the German word he used to describe his suffering, despair, and anguish. Perhaps, like many in Luther’s day, spiritual and personal matters weighed heavily on his mind as well. More than likely, though, it was a tempest of all of these thoughts and more. Luther’s heart and mind were a convergence zone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           St. Anne, however, could not help Luther. Only Christ could do what Luther asked: “Help me.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But the eye of the storm for Luther dwelt the fears that are common to us all. One’s own mortality. One’s sinfulness. God’s holiness. Punishment. Fear. God the almighty judge. These were common thoughts for Luther and many in the medieval period. Luther’s fears gave way to dread. Dread gave way to anxiety. Anxiety gave way to despair. As Jonathan Edwards would later write, Luther considered himself a sinner in the hands of an angry God. That’s at least part of the reason he cried out to St. Anne in the storm. If Christ was an almighty, holy judge, surely the patron saint of miners would come to his aid.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           St. Anne, however, could not help Luther. Only Christ could do what Luther asked: “Help me.”And he did, even though Luther’s misguided, misunderstood vow to become a monk, which he eventually made when he joined the black cloister of the Augustinians on July 17, 1505.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Like storms past and present, this storm changed Luther and, in time, changed the world for generations to come. Like Elijah in the cave, however, it was not the raging winds over Stotternheim that ultimately changed Luther, though God used that storm to set him on a new course. Rather, it was the still small, Spirit-filled voice of Jesus in the Scriptures that soothed, consoled, and brought joy to Luther’s troubled conscience. Through the Psalms, prophets, and letters of Paul, through his lectures, teaching, and preaching, Luther came to see that he was not alone in the storm, but rather that God was in the storm with him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through Martin Luther, God would unleash a far greater storm than the one which overwhelmed Luther on July 2, 1505. God caused a good storm to fall upon the heart and mind of Luther and those who heard, and still hear, his teaching and preaching that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ crucified for sinners. In time, Luther discovered that the gospel was an EF 5 tornado swirling with comfort and consolation of the free forgiveness of sins for Christ’s sake. And this gracious storm fell upon the consciences of people long stricken by the thundering judgment of the law. In the years following this July storm, God hurled a category five hurricane of good news, comfort, and grace in Christ crucified right down on Luther and the church. Many faithful, baptized believers, whose consciences had been buffeted by long years of the church’s penitential system and its storm surge of legalism and works righteousness finally felt the relief in hearing the good news that Christ is their redeemer, and their shelter in the storm.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At Stotternheim, Luther saw God in the storm. What he later came to realize, though, was that the God he feared as inexorable and untouchable is the very same God who was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary to reveal his inexhaustible love for sinners. The same God who Luther feared in the storm was the same God who brought down the most violent storm of judgment upon his own Son on the cross for Luther, for you, and for all. The same God to whom Luther made vows to as he entered the monastery was the very same God who vowed from all eternity to save Luther and to save you. There on a mountain, the sky darkened. The clouds enveloped Jesus on the cross. A tempest swirled about him, the maelstrom of sin and death. And then, three days later, the eternal calm after the storm. The tomb was empty. Christ is risen. Death is ruined. Our sin is wiped out and washed downstream. All of Luther’s fear, despair, sin, dread of death, and judgment - along with ours - was swallowed up by the storm of the centuries, Jesus’ death and resurrection for you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/rainstorms-and-reformations" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/rainstorms-and-reformations
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jul 2022 16:03:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-7-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-6-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-6-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-6-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Glory of God...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Introduction – John Mason
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Last year the Anglican Connection held an online conference addressing the theme, ‘The Unchanging God in a World of Change’. As the Bible provides timeless answers to questions about life various speakers brought us reflections on the Scriptures to help us learn of God and the world in which we live.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dr. John Yates, Senior Minister of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Raleigh, NC, gave us two meditations on Psalm 19. With John’s permission, here is his first reflection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 19 Reflection (1) – John Yates III
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 19 is well-known to all of us, and for good reason. As CS Lewis unabashedly wrote, “I take this to be the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.” (Reflections on the Psalms, London 1958, p.63).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This psalm of David begins with an emphatic declaration of the glory of God in the heavens in vv.1-6, pivots to a profound proclamation of the gifts of God in scripture in vv.7-11, and then concludes with a heartfelt confession and plea in vv.12-14.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we focus on the first 6 verses this morning I want to ask two rather simple questions. The first is this: What exactly are the heavens doing? Verse 1,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To put it simply, the heavens are praising God. But this is no normal song of praise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first thing to notice about it is that it is continuous. “Day to day” and “night to night” signify that the song is unending. The heavens never pause for breath. They never take a rest, which means that a melody of praise has played in the heavens since God first separated the firmaments and named them. Every age, epoch and season has been serenaded by it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The second thing to notice about the heavens’ praise is that it is inaudible. It is nonetheless intelligible. It reveals the vast storehouses of God’s knowledge, which unlike human knowledge cannot be taught but is simply possessed by God. His knowledge and understanding is so vast it can only be displayed in the infinitude of space.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The third thing to notice is that this song is totally unconstrained. It knows no national borders or physical barriers. It covers every nook and cranny of the earth, and is therefore inescapable. It is everywhere all at once.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These are the first things we notice about the song of the heavens as the poem begins. In the second half of v.4, then, a shift takes place. David narrows the focus of his reflection, moving from the broad expanse of the cosmos to the more familiar track of the sun. David writes,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In them [the heavens] he has set a tent for the sun,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In that last phrase, the unconstrained and inescapable nature of heaven’s witness is illustrated by the searching heat of the sun – something every Jew living in the land of Israel would have experienced first-hand on the long, hot days of a Mediterranean summer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But David is doing more than repeating his opening theme here. By likening the sun to a happy bridegroom he is painting a more complete picture of the character of heaven’s praise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The sun is like a man in the fullness of life who strides across the heavens in a demonstration of strength, full of the joy of his exertion. The sun is doing what it was made to do and loving every minute of it. We get a hint here of the profound truth that the praise of the heavens is not an accident; it is essential to the vocation of creation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not to be lost in this wonderful imagery is the fact that the sun is simply part of God’s creation. In David’s world the pagans worshiped the sun as a god. The Babylonians even referred to the sun-god as a bridegroom. For David, however, the sun gives worship rather than receiving it. It is a powerful witness – but only a witness – to the far greater glory of its creator.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The subtle polemic of this portrayal is reinforced in the second half of the psalm when Yahweh is named as the one who gives the law and establishes righteousness. Among the pagans that was the work of the sun-god. We know this from the stele that contains Hammurabi’s law code, where the sun-god, Shamash, is portrayed as giving the law to the king. As David will soon explain, however, the sun only heralds the one true God who alone reveals his law directly to Moses.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What are the heavens doing? They are bearing incessant and unconstrained witness to the glory of God over every inch of creation. In doing so they are joyfully manifesting part of their very purpose in creation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But what is the content of their revelation? What knowledge, exactly, do the heavens reveal? This, our second question, needs to be addressed briefly before we conclude.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is a noticeable lack of content in the proclamation of the heavens. We are told of the vastness of God’s knowledge and his incomparable glory, but little is actually said about God. Quite a bit, however, is implied in David’s description.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           First we see order and intent. The heavens are well organized; the sun skillfully sent on its daily circuit. The “handiwork” of God is evident across the expanse of the firmament. The God whose glory the heavens’ proclaim is orderly and intentional in all that he creates.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Second, we see engagement and accessibility. God is involved in his creation. He has not simply wound the spring and walked away. He sets a tent for the sun, and daily guides its course. He is also accessible – meaning that he has chosen to make himself known and to reveal his glory. The extent to which he can be known, and by whom he can be known, is left a mystery at this point, but will soon be revealed in the latter half of the psalm.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Finally, we see distance. Even though he is active and engaged, the God of David still stands apart from his creation. He is un-created, and he alone. The song of the heavens is a declaration of his unique glory – his weightiness, dignity and authority.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The content of heaven’s declaration may be limited, but it is still substantial. This is a god unlike any other known to the ancient world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we conclude I want to leave you with a brief thought about David himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A psalm like this requires a lot of staring up into space: head high, shoulders back, mouth agape, mind spinning. It is the fruit of observing the glories of the heavenly spheres, attending to their silent speech and contemplating divine intent. Only a man looking up and outside of himself could pen a poem like this. Only a man keen to see God’s glory and to name it could explore creation in this way.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In asking us to consider the glory of the heavens David invites us to do the same. He invites us to stop looking at our feet or gazing at our navels, to straighten our backs, and to throw back our heads in wonder. He invites us to see the heavens from a fresh perspective, to seek out and name God’s glory wherever we see it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In David’s delightful description the heavens fulfill their vocation by proclaiming the glory of God – by giving him praise. This vocation is not unique to the sun, moon and stars. It is ours as well. And while we may never write a poem like this, we are right to seek out God’s glory and to proclaim it boldly to the world around us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/the-glory-of-god-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/the-glory-of-god-2/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jul 2022 15:27:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-6-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bonnaroo Music Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - Stirling Video</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-stirling-video</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            More people hearing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ - that's what it is all about!!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Group+Video+Main+image+Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+-Christiansportsoutreach.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Open Air Preaching at the Bonnaroo Music Festival. Preaching the Gospel- the Good News which should be in our hearts and on our lips. “For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools” Romans‬ ‭1:21-22‬ ‭CSB‬‬
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Jul 2022 16:42:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-stirling-video</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Group+Video+Main+image+Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+-Christiansportsoutreach.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bonnaroo Music Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - Terry</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-terry</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            More people hearing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ - that's what it is all about!!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Group+Video+Main+image+Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+-Christiansportsoutreach.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Brother
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Terry Cohea
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Open Air Preaching at Bonnaroo Music Festival. Preaching the Gospel the Good News what Jesus Christ has done for us by His Death, Burial and Resurrection. “so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — in heaven and on earth and under the earth —” Philippians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭CSB‬‬
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Jul 2022 16:39:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/bonnaroo-music-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-terry</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Group+Video+Main+image+Bonnaroo+Music+Festival+-Christiansportsoutreach.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Riverbend Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - Thank you</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-thank-you</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for the ministry of the Gospel of Christ going forth in preaching and many Gospel tracts and conversations of the Gospel in Chattanooga, TN at Riverbend.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ministry+Reports+Tim+Ferguson.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brad Madewell
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Thanks for your prayers as we are sharing Jesus Christ one more afternoon in Chattanooga. Brother Tim Ferguson preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch it below:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Jul 2022 22:25:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-thank-you</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ministry+Reports+Tim+Ferguson.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Riverbend Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - 3 Wonderful Days</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-3-wonderful-days</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for the ministry of the Gospel of Christ going forth in preaching and many Gospel tracts and conversations of the Gospel in Chattanooga, TN at Riverbend.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ministry+Reports+3+wonderful+days+.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for 3 wonderful days at Riverbend -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark Yoho Brad Madewell
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            &amp;amp;
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brandon Allen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            preaching at Riverbend.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Jul 2022 21:50:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-3-wonderful-days</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ministry+Reports+3+wonderful+days+.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Riverbend Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - Gospel Tracts</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-gospel-tracts</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for the ministry of the Gospel of Christ going forth in preaching and many Gospel tracts and conversations of the Gospel in Chattanooga, TN at Riverbend.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ministry+Reports+Gospel+Tracts+Riverbend+Festival.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Bill Adams
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preaching at Riverbend as Tim Ferguson offers Gospel tracts to people. #riverbend #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Gospel+Tracts+Riverbend+Festival.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Jul 2022 21:35:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-gospel-tracts</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ministry+Reports+Gospel+Tracts+Riverbend+Festival.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Riverbend Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - Alex Burt</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-alex-burt</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for the ministry of the Gospel of Christ going forth in preaching and many Gospel tracts and conversations of the Gospel in Chattanooga, TN at Riverbend.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ministry+Reports+Alex+Burt+Riverbend+Festival.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Alex Burt
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Was blessed to preach at Riverbend yesterday. Couldn't make it back today. Please pray for the men who are out there preaching today. Tim Ferguson , Bill Adams , Brad Madewell , Brandon Allen and Mark Yoho #sfoi #riverbend
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Alex+Burt+Riverbend+Festival.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Jul 2022 21:12:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-alex-burt</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ministry+Reports+Alex+Burt+Riverbend+Festival.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Riverbend Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - Mark Yoho</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-mark-yoho</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for the ministry of the Gospel of Christ going forth in preaching and many Gospel tracts and conversations of the Gospel in Chattanooga, TN at Riverbend.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mark+Yoho+video+ministry+reports.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark Yoho
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            lifting up the Lord Jesus Christ at Riverbend.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch it below:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Jul 2022 20:05:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-mark-yoho</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mark+Yoho+video+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-5-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-5-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-5-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How Do We Define the Church?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What does God love most in the world? When He looks down at the snow-topped mountains that He has made, they are breathtaking and beautiful, seemingly reaching up to heaven itself. Likewise, when He looks down on the ocean that He has made, it is sometimes tranquil and sometimes tempestuous, yet always teeming with life, mirroring back to God His creative glory. Even man retains a peculiar privilege, in that man alone is said to bear the image of its Creator with knowledge, righteousness, holiness, and dominion over the other creatures. But of all these things, it is the church that God loves the most in this world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Bible calls the church “the body of Christ” that He nourishes and cares for as He does Himself (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Eph.%205/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The church is His glorious temple, in which He is pleased to dwell (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rev.%2021%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. 21:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It is His fullness, in the sense that the Father in heaven promised Jesus a great reward that includes His church (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Col.%201%3A18%E2%80%9320/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 1:18–20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The church is also His adopted family whom He loves and protects (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gal.%204%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal. 4:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Jesus came into the world not only in obedience to the Father’s will, fulfilling the mission the Father sent Him to accomplish (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2017%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 17:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ); He also came into the world because of His great love for His church. Like a husband come to rescue his bride, a king come to save his people, or a shepherd come to rescue his sheep, Jesus came into the world because of His great love for His church. There is nothing in all this world that Jesus loves more than His church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But what is the church, and when did it begin? Though the flower of the church truly blossoms in the New Testament, its seed begins to sprout noticeably in the soil of the Old Testament. In a certain sense, Adam and Eve were the first members of the church—at least, the church “under age” (Westminster Confession of Faith 19.3). When sin entered the world, God implemented His plan to save a people for Himself, a people who would be saved from sin and its wages—death. Their hope of salvation was not found in themselves, but in the promise, God made to send a Servant-Savior-Seed who would come in time in order to destroy the works of the intrusive serpent and redeem the people of God. Well before Jesus came into the world, God was gathering a people to Himself who would be, in time, united to Christ as beneficiaries of His redemptive work.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Nowhere is this clearer than with the people of Israel, the called-out people of God who descended from Adam and Abraham, and from whom Jesus would descend. When God called Israel out of Egypt, He called Israel His “son” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Hos.%2011%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hos. 11:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Israel was set apart from the world foremost by the promise of God’s presence, but also by the covenant promises and commands God gave to Israel. But perhaps most significantly, God enshrined His promise to dwell in the midst of His people by granting them a temple in which His presence would spiritually dwell. This was the capstone of Israel’s identity in the world. God brought them out of Egypt, but far more importantly, God kept His promise to dwell in the midst of His people, to bless them, to guide them, to meet with them, and to receive their worship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To be clear, not all Israel was true Israel in God’s sight. The church, even in the Old Testament, had both a visible and invisible component to it. If we can imagine two circles, one inside the other, the outer circle was the visible church—all Israel. The entire nation had been called out of Egypt and composed the gathered people of God. But only those within Israel who had faith would be saved everlastingly (the inner circle). Thus, there was a visible and invisible church, even in the Old Testament. That distinction remains in the New Testament, as not everyone baptized into the visible church, whether children or adults, are necessarily a part of the invisible church. They must enter that inner circle by faith; only then can they truly and everlastingly be a part of the body of Christ, His bride and His fullness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The church is identified by three marks: the faithful preaching of God’s Word, the proper administration of the sacraments, and church discipline. These are the essential qualities of a church. They overlap with the ordinary means of grace: the preaching of God’s Word, the sacraments, and prayer. As Calvin said, where we find these things faithfully practiced, there we find a true church. These are the things that matter most in a church—not the style of music, the length of the service, or the number of people our age. The marks and means of the church are essential to her identity and should be at the core of how we think about the church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The great privilege of a Christian is not only to be loved by Jesus, but to love Him and all that He loves. If His greatest love in this world is His church, we should love it as well. In many ways, it is the most beautiful way in which we express our love for Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/define-church" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/define-church
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Jul 2022 14:29:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-5-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Riverbend Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - Preaching</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-preaching</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for the ministry of the Gospel of Christ going forth in preaching and many Gospel tracts and conversations of the Gospel in Chattanooga, TN at Riverbend.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ministry+Report+Riverbend+Festival+Brad+Madewell+Mark+Yoho+Tim+Ferguson.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Preaching with these Saints is always a joy we had a good night at Riverbend
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brad Madewell Mark Yoho Tim Ferguson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            praise the Lord 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Riverbend+Festival+Brad+Madewell+Mark+Yoho+Tim+Ferguson.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Jul 2022 14:00:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-preaching</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ministry+Report+Riverbend+Festival+Brad+Madewell+Mark+Yoho+Tim+Ferguson.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Riverbend Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - Bill Adams</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-bill-adams</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for the ministry of the Gospel of Christ going forth in preaching and many Gospel tracts and conversations of the Gospel in Chattanooga, TN at Riverbend.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ministry+Reports+Bill+Adams+-riverbend+sfoi.org.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Open Air Preaching #riverbend sfoi.org
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Jul 2022 21:51:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-bill-adams</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Ministry+Reports+Bill+Adams+-riverbend+sfoi.org.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-4-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-4-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-4-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Clean Hands
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2024:4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Psalms 24:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Outward practical holiness is a very precious mark of grace. It is to be feared that many professors have perverted the doctrine of justification by faith in such a way as to treat good works with contempt; if so, they will receive everlasting contempt at the last great day. If our hands are not clean, let us wash them in Jesus’ precious blood, and so let us lift up pure hands unto God. But “clean hands” will not suffice unless they are connected with “a pure heart.” True religion is heart-work. We may wash the outside of the cup and the plate as long as we please, but if the inward parts be filthy, we are filthy altogether in the sight of God, for our hearts are more truly ourselves than our hands are. The very life of our being lies in the inner nature, and hence the imperative need of purity within. The pure in heart shall see God; all others are but blind bats.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The man who is born for heaven “does not lift up his soul to what is false.” All men have their joys by which their souls are lifted up. The worldling lifts up his soul in carnal delights, which are mere empty vanities; but the saint loves more substantial things; like Jehoshaphat, he is lifted up in the ways of the Lord. He who is content with husks will be reckoned with the swine. Does the world satisfy you? Then you have your reward and portion in this life; make much of it, for you will know no other joy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Does not swear deceitfully.” The saints are men of honor still. The Christian man’s word is his only oath; but that is as good as twenty oaths of other men. False speaking will shut any man out of heaven, for a liar shall not enter into God’s house, whatever may be his professions or doings. Reader, does the text before us condemn you, or do you hope to ascend into the hill of the Lord?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Jul 2022 16:19:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-4-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 7-1-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-1-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 7-1-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the Cool of the Day...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Genesis%203:8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 3:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My soul, now that the cool of the day has come, retire awhile and hearken to the voice of God. He is always ready to speak with you when you are prepared to hear. If there is any slowness to commune, it is not on His part, but altogether on yours, for He stands at the door and knocks, and if His people will but open, He rejoices to enter. But in what state is my heart, which is my Lord’s garden? May I venture to hope that it is well trimmed and watered and is bringing forth fruit fit for Him? If not, He will have much to reprove, but still I pray Him to come to me, for nothing can so certainly bring my heart into a right condition as the presence of the Sun of Righteousness, who brings healing in His wings.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come, therefore, O Lord, my God, my soul invites You earnestly and waits for You eagerly. Come to me, O Jesus, my well-beloved, and plant fresh flowers in my garden, such as I see blooming in such perfection in Your matchless character! Come, O my Father, who is the Gardener, and deal with me in Your tenderness and prudence! Come, O Holy Spirit, and saturate my whole nature, as the herbs are now moistened with the evening dews. O that God would speak to me. Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears! O that He would walk with me; I am ready to give up my whole heart and mind to Him, and every other thought is hushed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I am only asking what He delights to give. I am sure that He will condescend to have fellowship with me, for He has given me His Holy Spirit to abide with me forever. Sweet is the cool twilight, when every star seems like the eye of heaven and the cool wind is as the breath of celestial love. My Father, my elder Brother, my sweet Comforter, speak now in loving-kindness, for You have opened my ear and I am not rebellious.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/7/1/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/7/1/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Jul 2022 16:16:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-7-1-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-30-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-30-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-30-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Faithful God of the Fickle and Feeble
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As the historian of the Books of Kings retraces the rise and fall of God’s people, he, likewise, beams a bright light on who God is himself. The predominant motif throughout all these narratives is making known both the depths of man’s depravity and the depths of Yahweh’s patience. These accounts are tailor made to bring us face-to-face with the Lord who suffers long over, with, and for his people. Time and time again, he delays judgment until the last conceivable moment. He defers the needed polemic to some such prophet he’s commissioned to do his bidding. His heart is for his people to turn to him. And he stops at nothing if it means they would but see how much he loves them. “He would move heaven and earth to be near them,” asserts Sally Lloyd-Jones. “Whatever happened, whatever it cost him, he would always love them” (8).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That never-stopping love of the Father is, without a doubt, put to the test throughout the ceaseless march of time, as the people of God repeatedly thrust themselves into the oblivion of trusting other gods. The history of God’s people is, likewise, the harrowing history of the tragedy of clutching to carved images for everything that only the One True God can offer. To be honest, it’s quite exhausting to read account after account of Yahweh bringing about his people’s restoration and renewal only for it all to be squandered in the blink of an eye by his people’s egregious decision making. Perhaps, then, we have more in common with those ancient Israelites than we like to think. But such is why I’m grateful to glean from Israel’s history, where in response to his people’s constant unsteadiness, the God of all exhibits his infinite steadfastness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Man’s faith is fickle.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            begins, the historian quickly situates us into the historical context by reverting to his tried and true method of royal summation. That vicious judge Jehu is gone, with his son Jehoahaz assuming the throne (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This, of course, is the same Jehu who dispensed such ruthless judgment on the lineage of Ahab, leading to Yahweh’s assuring word that even his children “of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2010%3A30/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 10:30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Jehoahaz, then, is the first fulfillment of that promise. But rather than see the hand of the Lord on his daddy’s rise to power, Jehoahaz keeps the “bane of Israel” alive. “And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For all that God had promised and fulfilled, he and his Word remained unheeded and disregarded. Yahweh barely registered a passing thought in the hearts of those with whom he had covenanted. Instead, Israel clung to the abominable gods of Jeroboam’s phony religion (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Kings%2012%3A25%E2%80%9333/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Kings 12:25–33
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The hearts of God’s people were in the vice-grip of idolatry and iniquity, pushing the persevering patience of the Lord to the max. It would appear, however, that God had had enough this time, as the historian tells us that “the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Yahweh’s indignation bubbles to the surface in response to his people’s infidelity. His nostrils flare with holy fury. And, as a result, he raises up King Hazael of Syria to cut down the people of Israel. This work of heavenly pruning is effective, as Hazael leaves the Israelite army in shambles, “like the dust by threshing” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But as the Syrian invaders march to war, Jehoahaz gets on his knees and begs God for a miracle. “And Jehoahaz besought the Lord, and the Lord hearkened unto him: for he saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). There are several wonderful tidbits in this verse, among which is the historian’s unmistakable nostalgia for compassionate concern for his people. The phrasing evokes that moment from ages before, when Yahweh noticed the oppression of his people at the hands of the Egyptians (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ex.%203%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 3:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), which bespeaks the humbling realization that God always takes notice of his people’s plight — even when they themselves were the ones who put themselves in such a predicament.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Despite being on the receiving end of God’s uncanny deliverance, Israel stubbornly continued going their own way, clutching the counterfeit gods of Jeroboam’s phony religion
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More remarkable, perhaps, than that is just the sheer fact that God listened to Jehoahaz’s prayer. This was a king who hadn’t once concerned himself with Yahweh or his Word, and yet, Yahweh was attentive to his cry. With political pressures reaching a fever pitch, Jehoahaz talks to the Lord, and “the Lord hearkened unto him.” And more than merely listening, the Lord took action on behalf of his people. “And the Lord gave Israel a saviour, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians: and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents, as beforetime” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Israel is miraculously delivered by the hand of a savior who was sent to them. Now, there’s some debate over who this savior might’ve been, historically speaking. However, much of that is inconsequential to the historian’s point. The point is, Yahweh intervenes, of his own accord, to secure the salvation of those he loves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And what was the result? National revival? A massive resurgence of temple attendance? Wholesale renewal of interest in Yahweh? Actually, none of those things occurs. Yahweh’s patient faithfulness wasn’t enough to stir the hearts of his people back to him. Despite being on the receiving end of God’s uncanny deliverance, Israel stubbornly continued going their own way, clutching the counterfeit gods of Jeroboam’s phony religion (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Even after the Lord mercifully rescue them out of harm’s way, they remained in their sin. And as much as I don’t want to admit it, that’s me. My heart, my faith is incredibly fickle. I change allegiances more than the weekly weather forecast. And I’d wager you’d have to say the same.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When we find ourselves in a crisis, we end up making all kinds of promises about how we’re going to “change our ways,” and all that. But when the heat cools and the pressure subsides, we revert to the mean. We go back to our same old, same old, seemingly unfazed and unmoved by the merciful patience of God. That, indeed, is the motif which colors the history of Israel as a whole. And, what’s more, it’s the motif which brings to bear the sum and substance of Scripture itself. Namely, that those who are so fickle and so inconstant are in desperate need of something (or Someone) who is always faithful.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Man’s faith is feeble.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After the historian puts a bow on King Jehoahaz’s reign, he utilizes even less ink to summarize the reign of his son, Jehoash (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A10%E2%80%9313/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:10–13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). There isn’t much to report, though, with the kingdom of Israel continuing in the same wretched trajectory as before. However, there is one anecdote that’s important enough to be be detached from the rest of his summary. It is the account of the prophet Elisha’s death, which, likewise, exposes the feeble faith of Israel’s king. The prophet had fallen terribly ill, so much so that he was essentially reclining on his deathbed (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The king comes to visit the ailing man of God, and the sight of his frail frame brings tears to his eyes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           King Jehoash weeping over dying Elisha is significant for a few reasons, mostly because hadn’t made the God whom Elisha served and represented part of his life to any degree up to that point. And yet, even still, he recognizes the weightiness of the moment. In a surprising turn of events, the king greets the prophet with the same admirable title which was formerly conferred on Elijah. “O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof,” he wails (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; cf. 2:12). Elisha’s death signaled the end of an era. The kingdom was already largely defenseless after Syria had left the Israelite military in shambles (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But now, devastatingly, the voice of Israel’s God was fading. Elisha, though, puts his final few breaths to good use, taking the king through an “acted oracle,” that is, a prophecy with object lessons:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows. And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands. And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the Lord's deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them. And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A15%E2%80%9319/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:15–19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At first glance, this is more than a little strange. The king is commanded to let an arrow fly out the window of his tower, and so he does. Then he’s told to shoot arrows at the ground, but he, apparently gets that part of the process wrong, leading to the man of God to become angry with him — so much so, in fact, that he amends his original prophecy. The arrows are an obvious emblem of Israel’s triumph in battle. As Jehoash loosed them out the east window, he let them fly in the direction of his enemies, foretelling the swift and sure victory that was guaranteed for God’s people. So long as the king trusted in Yahweh’s promise, Israel’s enemies didn’t stand a chance (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The dilemma arises when Jehoash is commanded to “smite upon the ground.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The historian tells us that the king struck the ground thrice before ceasing. This enrages the prophet, since he should’ve known to strike the ground “five or six times.” Some have attempted to ascribe meaning to the specific number of strikes that were in order. But, I think, the point is not necessarily the number of times the king hits the ground as much as it is the king’s nonchalant and unconvinced compliance to the prophet’s request. Jehoash’s inclination was, “Meh, that’s probably good enough.” He wasn’t genuinely acting on the words of promise delivered to him by the prophet, he was just going through the motions. Elisha, I’m sure, gave him a stern, knowing glare. Rather than take Yahweh at his word, the king acted as if those words were dubious or doubtful. His faith was feeble and frail, at best. He was possessed by a severely limited grasp of Yahweh’s ability to deliver on what he said. Therefore, instead of consuming his enemies, he’d only smite them (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A19%2C%2025/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:19, 25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). His feeble faith led to feeble results. And I think that describes more than we would ever care to admit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our faith is encumbered, more than anything else, by the limits we ourselves impose upon it. We believe but only feebly, only in a limited capacity. We say we believe in the forgiveness of sins, but we often live as though that’s not true. We say we believe in God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, but we often live as if he’s not interested in us at all. We say we believe that Jesus is “the mighty King, the Master of everything,” but we often live wringing our hands in fear over the unknown days that lie ahead. I wonder what would happen, though, if we wholeheartedly believed what we said we believe? I think we wouldn’t live in trepidation because we’d know that we are wholly forgiven. Our days would be invigorated by the solid and steadfast love of the Father, which crests the rising tide of sin, hopelessness, and despair. In grace, though, we are permitted to cry, “I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Mark%209%3A23%E2%80%9324/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 9:23–24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God is faithful forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The undercurrent of Scripture is the sheer fact that Jehovah God is a God of his word. He always delivers on what he says. This is evident when you notice that even King Jehoash’s feeble faith is honored by the Lord (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A19%2C%2025/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:19, 25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). To bring home God’s great faithfulness even further, however, the historian zooms back out to examine the faith of God during the time of Jehoahaz. Remember, during his reign Israel is suffering under the oppressive thumb of Syria. This, of course, is a consequence of God’s people turning their backs on Yahweh once again. But, in an unthinkable expenditure of grace, what do we find God doing in return? “But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. And the Lord was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A22%E2%80%9323/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:22–23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The undercurrent of Scripture is the sheer fact that Jehovah God is a God of his word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even as God’s chosen people are turning away from him, God is turning towards them. He compassionately regards the tribulation of his people, dealing with their incessant fickleness and inexhaustible feebleness with a unilateral love that is infinitely constant. Immediately preceding that merciful declaration, however, is an entirely unexpected and almost unnerving scene of God’s immaculate power. Smack dab in the middle of these stories of disbelieving kings, the historian inserts a glimpse of what’s to come, both for Israel and the world. Elisha has passed on, with his remains already in the process of decay, when a band of marauders from Moab bear down on the Israelite border. A group of friends had intended to spend their morning giving their beloved friend a proper burial, but the sight of those Moabite raiders startles them, so much so that they toss their friend’s body into the tomb of that late prophet. However, that friend doesn’t join the ranks of the rotting cadavers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Instead, as the historian reports, “When the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). As soon as his lifeless corpse touches the bones of that dead prophet, “he revived.” Breath returned to his lungs and life coursed through his veins. He that was dead was alive again. A reasonable amount of questions surely race to your mind. How long he was dead? What did he do when he revived? And what did those who saw him die do when he was alive again? Inquiring minds would like to know! But, alas, the historian’s inclusion of this remarkable tale is a timeless message reminding us all of God’s prerogative to breathe life into things that are dead. Just as this man was “revived” by being “cast” into the place of death, so, too, would Israel be “revived” in their place of exile.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Try and fathom what those words must have sounded like to the exiled Israelites who were reading them. They were in the place of exile, the place of death, right then. But, as the historian reminds them, they wouldn’t remain there forever, neither would they be utterly destroyed or cast down (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%2037%3A24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 37:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). “The men threw the body into Elisha’s tomb and there was new life,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kings-Power-Fury-Focus-Bible/dp/1845500962" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dale Ralph Davis comments
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “so whenever God throws Israel into exile there will still be hope” (199). The One True God is faithful to his Word forever. He is a God who “cannot lie” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Num.%2023%3A19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Num. 23:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Titus%201%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Titus 1:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Heb.%206%3A18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 6:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Not one of God’s promises, not even a single syllable, has ever fallen to the ground or missed its target.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even now, even today, that remains true. Our faithful God is great in faithfulness (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Lam.%203%3A22%E2%80%9323/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lam. 3:22–23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He abounds in steadfast love and patience for those who are fickle, feeble, and faithless. To such, he offers infinite steadfastness. To such, he offers himself. To the very same gaggle of Israelites who were going astray, God gave a Savior (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) — which is precisely what he has done for each and every sinner who has ever lived (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%205%3A6%2C%208%2C%2010/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 5:6, 8, 10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He enters the tomb of our traitorous hearts and raises us to “newness of life.” He descends to our place of exile and death in order to bring about our resurrection. He is faithful to his Word, forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/the-faithful-god-of-the-fickle-and-feeble" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/the-faithful-god-of-the-fickle-and-feeble
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2022 15:07:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-30-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-29-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-29-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-29-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ambition...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I have a simple question: What is your ambition in life?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With the celebration of the seventy-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II, attention has been given to her commitment to serve her people. Service, not self-service, has been a characteristic of her reign.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The themes of royalty and service stand out in Dr. Luke’s record of the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth. One of the constant features of Jesus’ public life is his service. Although, he is God’s king, he never used his divine powers out of self-interest or self-aggrandizement, but for the good of others.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the opening lines of Luke chapter 10, we read that Jesus sent out seventy (or seventy-two) of his followers on a training mission so they could experience first-hand what ministry in his name means. Three themes stand out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1. Prayer. In sending out the seventy Jesus wanted his disciples to involve others in their ministry. Because God’s good news is for all peoples, many more than the disciples would be needed. The harvest is plentiful,’ Jesus said, ‘but the laborers are few; pray the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field’ (10:2).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Book of Revelation tells us that in the last day the Kingdom of God will include a huge multitude, drawn from every nation and tribe and from every generation. It will be as countless in size as the sands on the seashore and the stars in the sky.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A vast international company like this will require the involvement of thousands – people who are willing to leave their comfort zones and commit to serving the cause of Jesus Christ; people who, left to themselves, would sit comfortably in church on Sundays and in front of the television during the week.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Reformation Anglicanism Archbishop Ben Kwashi writes, ‘In much of the world today there are churches seemingly everywhere and very many Christians, yet with little positive impact on society’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How important it is that we pray the Lord of the harvest to stir up amongst his people a gospel mindset and the resources that are needed for the work of gospel ministry.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2. Partnership. Jesus’ instructions Luke records here were specific to a particular mission. The seventy were to ‘carry no purse, no bag, no sandals’ (10:5). Rather they were to trust God to provide for their material needs.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus also impressed on them the urgency of their work: ‘Greet no one on the road,’ he said (10:5). Saying Hello to someone in the Middle East can be time-consuming. Jesus is saying that someone with a job to do can’t let themselves be caught up in small talk with everyone they meet. It doesn’t mean God’s people are to be dismissive and discourteous. Rather, Jesus draws attention to how easily we can be distracted from the ministry he is passionate about – namely rescuing the lost, giving them new life and hope in his name.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How then were the seventy to find bed and board? Jesus answered by saying: ‘Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’’ (10:5-8).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           People who are involved in ‘full-time ministry’ are to receive their support from others who are not so called. But ministers are not charity cases: ‘They work as hard as anyone,’ Jesus is saying, ‘and they deserve their wages’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, he also sounds a warning. Our ministry may be rejected: But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near” (10:10-11).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           None of us likes rejection. But Jesus warns this is a real possibility. Christian ministry can be unpopular, even dangerous work. ‘I send you out as lambs amongst wolves,’ he says elsewhere. ‘Not everyone will want your message: in some places whole societies will reject you.’ And, Jesus adds: ‘You are to accept the rejection; but warn those who reject you that the kingdom of God is near.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ministry is about life and death issues. Men and women can reject other views about life with impunity, but when we reject God’s Messiah we put our souls in jeopardy. The stakes are high when we hear God’s gospel and when we open a Bible. We are given a choice: will we reject or accept the message? “He who listens to you, listens to me” Jesus said; “He who rejects you, rejects me; and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me” (10:16).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3. Warning. The seventy returned from their mission trip and were enthusiastic about the way God had changed lives. Their ministry was authenticated as they saw people from all walks of life receiving the message of God’s kingdom. Who wouldn’t be excited?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Jesus has some sobering words. He not only alerts his young followers to times of ministry disappointment, he also alerts them to the perils of ministry success. Taking them aside he points out that the arrival of God’s kingdom heralded the downfall of the evil powers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Ministers of God’s good news will see signs of my greater power and lives being changed for good. But don’t let this success go to your head. Remember Satan himself fell because of spiritual pride. Your greatest reason for joy is that your names are written in heaven’ (10:20).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Three very important themes emerge in 10:1-20. We see that God’s ambition is to draw into his kingdom countless numbers of people from all walks of life. We also see the conjunction of ministry and prayer. Alongside the ministry of God’s Word is the ministry of prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is your ambition? Jesus challenges us to ask how can we serve in God’s plan to rescue men and women and bring them into his kingdom.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Lord, give your people grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure hearts and minds to follow you, the only true God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Teach us, gracious Lord, to begin our works with reverence, to go on in obedience, and finish them with love; and then to wait patiently in hope, and with cheerful countenance to look up to you, whose promises are faithful and rewards infinite; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/ambition/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/ambition/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2022 15:00:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-29-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-28-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-28-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-28-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Was Jesus in the Grave for Three Days?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The celebrated church father, Augustine of Hippo, wrote, “What then is time? Provided that no one asks me, I know. If I want to explain to an inquirer, I do not know.” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/jesus-grave-three-days#fn1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            He made this observation after a lengthy discussion on the nature of time and eternity. While his discussion was more abstract than the question at hand, Augustine’s statement reminds us that the concept of time is complex. Still, we all operate with a pretty straightforward understanding of minutes, hours, days, weeks, and years.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But our way of counting time is not the only way. The Bible was written by authors from a variety of backgrounds, in a period and culture far different from ours. To be sure, none of these factors undermine the overall divine authorship of the Scriptures. On the other hand, recognizing these differences helps us understand what the authors meant—and did not mean—when they used everyday language to record when an event happened.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In fact, the New Testament is eager for the reader to understand that it is documenting events that occurred in space-time history, as we understand it in an everyday sense. Time markers abound in its pages, from when Jesus met the terrified disciples on the turbulent sea (Mark 6:48), to the time He was crucified (Matt. 27:45), to how long He was in the grave (Luke 9:22; 24:7; 1 Cor. 15:4).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As the texts above indicate, the biblical authors taught that Jesus was in the grave for three days. The Gospels tell us He was crucified on Friday and rose from the grave on Sunday (Mark 15:42–47; 16:1; Matt. 27:57–61; 28:1; Luke 23:50–56; 24:1; John 19:38–42; 20:1). But there seems to be a difficulty which surfaces when we compare these accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection and our Lord’s words in Matthew 12:40: “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Critics allege that we cannot reconcile Jesus’ words with the Gospel accounts of His death, which place it at the “ninth hour” (Mark 15:34), or 3 p.m. in modern terms. If Jesus died at 3 p.m. on Friday and was raised early Sunday morning, how can we square those facts with Jesus’ statement in Matthew 12:40? The Scriptures seem inconsistent here. Skeptics have long seized on this seeming contradiction to discredit the doctrine of biblical inerrancy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The difficulty is apparent, not real. Returning to our earlier discussion on the nature of time, we need to step back and recognize that the Jews of the first century counted days differently than we do today. According to their understanding of days, part of any day counted as a full day. Again, most of us do not mark time like this. If, for example, a newspaper report describes a certain person doing something for three days, we immediately think of three, twenty-four-hour days.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But once we understand how Jesus and the majority of Jewish people around Him understood days, the seeming contradiction vanishes. Jesus’ death at 3 p.m. on Good Friday counted as one day, His entombment all day Saturday counted as the second day, and His resurrection on Sunday morning counted as the third day. Therefore, Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew 12:40 and the facts of His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection are not at odds, but simply reflect the common way of understanding days in the first century.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As with many other so-called Bible contradictions, a bit of reflection and some understanding of cultural differences help us see that there is no inconsistency at all. We are once again reminded that the Bible is truth (John 17:17). We can trust it. The facts it records really happened, even if they were detailed in a way foreign to our modern sensibilities.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The more pressing question is, “Do we believe the Bible?” The futile search by critics to find Bible discrepancies like the one discussed here reveals an unbelieving heart. We must make sure such skepticism does not characterize our own hearts. Instead, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/jesus-grave-three-days" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/jesus-grave-three-days
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Jun 2022 13:26:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-28-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-27-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-27-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-27-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What Is Your Calling
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/1%20Corinthians%207:20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            1 Corinthians 7:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some people have the foolish notion that the only way in which they can live for God is by becoming pastors, missionaries, or Bible teachers. How many would be excluded from any opportunity of spiritual usefulness if this were the case. Beloved, it is not office—it is sincerity; it is not position—it is grace that will enable us to serve and glorify God. God is definitely glorified at the workbench, where the godly worker fulfills his task singing of the Savior’s love. In this humble setting God is glorified far more than in many a lofty pulpit where official religion performs its scanty duties. The name of Jesus is glorified by the taxicab driver as he blesses God and speaks to his passengers of the living hope. He will be more useful than the popular preacher who goes about peddling the Gospel for profit. God is glorified when we serve Him in our proper vocations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Take care, dear reader, that you do not neglect the path of duty by leaving your occupation, and take care you do not dishonor your profession while in it. Think little of yourselves, but do not think too little of your callings. Every lawful trade may be sanctified by the Gospel to noblest ends. Turn to the Bible, and you will find the most menial forms of labor connected either with most daring deeds of faith or with persons whose lives have been illustrations of holiness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Therefore do not be discontented with your calling. Whatever God has made your position or your work, remain in that, unless you are quite sure that He calls you to something else. Let your first concern be to glorify God to the best of your ability where you are. Fill your present sphere to His praise, and if He needs you in another, He will show it to you. This evening lay aside anxious ambition, and embrace peaceful content.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 27 Jun 2022 13:18:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-27-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-24-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-24-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-24-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From the Jaws of Death
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said … ‘Be it known to you, O King, that we will not serve your gods.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Daniel%203:16,%2018/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Daniel 3:16, 18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The narrative of the manly courage and marvelous deliverance of these three holy children, or rather champions, is well calculated to engender in the minds of believers firmness and steadfastness in upholding the truth in the teeth of tyranny and in the very jaws of death. Here is a wonderful example especially for young Christians, teaching them that when it comes to faith in action they must never sacrifice their consciences. Lose everything rather than lose your integrity, and when everything is gone, still hold fast a clear conscience as the rarest jewel that can adorn the bosom of a mortal. Do not be guided by expediency but by divine authority. Follow the right at every hazard. When you see no obvious advantage, then walk by faith and not by sight. Honor God by trusting Him when it comes to matters of loss for the sake of principle. See whether He will be your debtor! See if He does not even in this life prove His word that “there is great gain in godliness with contentment,”1 and that for those who “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness … all these things will be added to you.”2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Should it happen that in the providence of God you are a loser for conscience’s sake, you will find that if the Lord does not pay you back in the silver of earthly prosperity, He will discharge His promise in the gold of spiritual joy. Remember that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of what he possesses.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To wear an honest spirit, to have a heart void of offense, to have the favor and smile of God is greater riches than all the gold and diamonds in the world. “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.”3 An ounce of contentment is worth a ton of gold.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) 1 Timothy 6:6
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           2) Matthew 6:33
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           3) Proverbs 15:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 24 Jun 2022 13:06:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-24-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-23-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-23-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-23-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God's Not Impressed by Your Word Count
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The comment was made off-handedly; nothing more than a good-natured ribbing from a friend. But as I stopped to consider his words, I realized they typified a common unspoken attitude. As a pastor I get asked to pray a lot, especially in public settings. So as we sat down to lunch, I wasn’t surprised when the request to bless the food was directed toward me. I bowed my head, led with a short, well-known table prayer, and finished with a hearty “Amen.” Looking slyly at me across the table, he said, “Really? That’s it? I expected more from a pastor.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I couldn’t really blame him, though. The notion that an “ideal” prayer is full of flowery words, rhetorical flourishes, and iambic pentameter is pretty common. Only prayers of sufficient quality and quantity will pass muster in God’s throne room. So, by paying attention to aesthetics, phraseology, and dramatic pause, we can increase the likelihood that God will regard our prayers as a truly fragrant offering. Short and simple just won’t cut it. The mature believer should be able to compose prayers the way Beethoven composed symphonies, stringing together the perfect combination of petition and praise to make the angels weep. “Bravo!” we can hear God shout as he rises to his feet. “Encore! Encore! That’s the kind of prayer I delight to answer. Now, why can’t the rest of you sinners get your acts together and learn to pray like her?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Such a posture of prayer (overstated here for effect) reveals the perennial problem of the human heart: We believe there’s something in our own efforts–however small it may be–that can earn God’s blessing. Deep down, our inner Pharisee thinks that if we insert enough prayer coins into God’s vending machine, He will eventually spit out a blessing. Sure, a little thirty-second prayer is OK, but spending hours on our knees wearing out the carpet will give us a better shot at getting what we want–right? That’s what a seasoned “blackbelt Christian” would do. In such a view, if we were to graph out how prayer works, with “minutes spent in prayer” on the x-axis and “likelihood that God will answer” on the y-axis, there should be a linear relationship; an upward trending line as we move from left to right across the page. The higher the word count, the greater the chances that God will give us what we’re asking for–right?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This may sound trite, but the ardent zeal with which we quantify our quiet times, measure the hours spent on our knees, and evaluate the quality of our own prayers and others reveal the dark side of such (admittedly good) religious pursuits: We believe our own spiritual blood, sweat, and tears are the currency that can buy God’s favor. To put it another way, we believe that his blessing is earned rather than given. Whether it’s the high word count, the literary value of the prayer, or the Herculean persistence and longsuffering on the part of the pray-er, if we exert enough spiritual force on the “God-lever,” we can get him to move how we want.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please don’t misunderstand. Persistence is commendable. In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2018%3A1-8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 18:1-8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Jesus tells a parable “to show them [his disciples] that they should always pray and not give up” (v. 1, emphasis mine). The story is pretty straightforward. There’s an ungodly judge and a widow living in a particular town. The widow approaches the judge again and again pleading for justice, but again and again the judge refuses. Eventually, though, she wears him down, and he caves in to her demands. The moral of the story? This is how we should pray. The unflagging zeal of the widow should characterize our prayers as well. We should not easily give up. In fact, the word that the judge uses to describe the widow’s persistent efforts to wear him down literally means “to give someone a black eye.” Our prayer should be so forceful and relentless it’s like we’re trying to give God a black eye. So, clearly, God’s not against effort.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But he is against earning.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the sermon on the mount, Jesus says this: “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matt.%206%3A7-8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 6:7-8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He then goes on to provide a template for prayer, which we refer to today as The Lord’s Prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus knows the propensity of the human heart toward self-justification, especially when it comes to spiritual endeavors like prayer. It’s why he told this parable:
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.” But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2018%3A10-14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 18:10-14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus holds up the short, honest prayer of the tax collector as more worthy of emulating than the lengthy virtue signaling (after all, we can’t really call it a prayer) of the Pharisee. It is not the length or quality of the prayer but the humble, repentant heart of the one praying that matters to God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our word counts do not impress him. God is not swayed one way or the other by the quality of our grammar. And the amount of time we spend on our knees–not a moment of which is wasted, by the way–is not what ultimately motivates him to act. God’s love is not a reaction to some initiative on our part. Instead, it originates in his good, Fatherly heart toward his children. His benevolence is made possible not by our efforts but by the perfect efforts of his Son on our behalf, whose prayer from the Cross covers all of us (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2023%3A34/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 23:34
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ): “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Because of Jesus, God always hears our prayers, and he always responds to them in love–regardless of the quality or quantity of the one speaking them. So may the short, pithy, unadorned prayer of the tax collector become our model in moments of greatest need. After all, if it was good enough for Jesus, then it is good enough for us. “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/gods-not-impressed-by-your-word-count" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/gods-not-impressed-by-your-word-count
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 23 Jun 2022 13:23:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-23-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-22-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-22-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-22-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Surprising Expectations
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In A Call to Spiritual Reformation Dr. Don Carson comments: ‘When it comes to knowing God, we are a culture of the spiritually stunted. So much of our religion is packaged to address our felt needs­­ – and these are almost uniformly anchored in our pursuit of our own happiness and fulfilment. God simply becomes the Great Being who, potentially at least, meets our needs and fulfils our aspirations. We think rather little of what he is like, what he expects of us, what he seeks in us’ (pp.15f).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Three brief scenes in the public ministry of Jesus of Nazareth alert us to some surprising aspects of God’s nature and his expectations of all who call themselves his people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Luke’s record a significant turning point occurs in Jesus’ ministry: when the days drew near for him (Jesus) to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51). We feel the graphic power of Luke’s words. Jesus was not to be dissuaded from the task ahead as he transitioned in his work from the region of Galilee to Jerusalem. His determination to see his mission through was evident in the flint-like set of his face. This provides the context for what follows.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Scene 1. As they were going along the road, someone said to him (Jesus), ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head’ (9:57-58).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The man’s words looked promising: ‘I will follow you wherever you go’. What more would a leader want? But Jesus was aware that the man was not truly committed: ‘Have you really thought about this? Do you understand what’s involved?’ Jesus was aware the man would have expected security and even privilege because he was offering to join the company of a celebrity. But Jesus indicates that the road ahead for his people will not be easy: ‘Come with me and you will have no guarantee of home comforts and security’, he is saying.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of the misconceptions Jesus needed to correct was the Jewish view of the Messiah. Even his closest followers considered Messiah to be primarily a political figure who would bring the nations under his rule. They had rightly recognized Jesus as God’s Messiah, but it may be that they had taken this to another level: they would be nobles in Jesus’ court.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus uses a powerful metaphor to shatter the man’s dreams, as well as instruct his disciples: ‘the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head’. Jesus was born in a manger and died on a cross and in between had no fixed home, let alone a palace, where he could lay his head. So he challenges us, ‘How important are comfort and security, and even celebrity to you?’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Scene 2. A second man’s request to Jesus seems reasonable: ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father’ (9:59). Middle Eastern society required a son to remain at home to care for aging parents. Clearly this man’s parents were still alive for if his father had died, to be true to his word, he would have immediately returned home to attend to the burial.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More likely the man’s parents had some years to live, but he was using their ultimate demise as an excuse. And so Jesus challenged him, ‘Let the dead bury the dead,’ implying that the spiritually dead can attend to the family or cultural expectations. ‘But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God’, he said (9:60).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ words may seem heartless, but he saw through the man’s request. Children do have responsibilities to parents. The Scriptures command us to honour them and care for them, but we should not allow such care to distract us from the walk with Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus is a demanding leader to follow, as we see even more in a third scene.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Scene 3. Another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me say farewell to those at my home’ (9:61). Once again, the request seems reasonable: ‘I need to go and say goodbye to the folks before I come and follow you’. However, Jesus knew how a lengthy Middle Eastern family farewell could be used to overturn the man’s resolve to leave home and follow an unlettered rabbi like Jesus. ‘No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God’, Jesus responded (9:62)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many today might be impressed with Jesus and greatly attracted to him. They may even want to follow him but are not always willing to do so – just yet. Augustine, the 5th century bishop of Hippo said, O Lord, grant me chastity and continence, but not yet.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus wants our total commitment. He calls us to be willing to leave the security of a home, of family and friends, and of status. We have to make a choice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus sometimes creates tensions in families where adult family members have no regard for him. It may not be a parent, but a husband or boyfriend, a wife or girlfriend, who prevents us from hearing and obeying Jesus’ call to follow him. Jesus calls on us to join him on his rescue mission of a lost humanity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through the centuries God’s people have often been seduced by the attractions of privilege and prestige. Churches and denominations are often cluttered with celebrated office bearers and wealth. We need leadership and order, but celebrity and power can become more important than serving Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we adopt the principles that lie behind Jesus’ words, our relationships with one another as God’s people and in the wider community will be turned upside down. Are we known for our willingness to reach out to newcomers at church, for our care for the sick and suffering, the lonely and the bereaved? And, in our world where everyone is encouraged to bring their ‘full self’ to work, are we willing to bring our ‘Christ-centered self’?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Jesus says elsewhere, ‘What does it profit a man or a woman to gain the whole world yet lose their own soul?’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Heavenly Father, keep your people in the truth of your Word; so that those who lean only on the hope of your heavenly grace may always be defended by your mighty power; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/surprising-expectations/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/surprising-expectations/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Jun 2022 13:14:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-22-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-21-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-21-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-21-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Call to Thoughtful Vigilance
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul warned the elders of the church in Ephesus about the critical need for them to be vigilant:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert . . . (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%2020%3A28%E2%80%9331/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 20:28–31
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) This Apostolic warning was not just for the Ephesian church; it is a warning that is necessary for every church in every age.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul’s warning was taken very seriously by many churches and ministers in the controversy between fundamentalists and liberals in the 1920s. Fundamentalists seeing their churches and schools deserting historic Christianity viewed liberals as devious, deceptive, even demonic. Dr. J. Gresham Machen, in the most valuable and enduring critique of liberalism written in the 1920s, Christianity and Liberalism, concluded that Christianity was one religion and liberalism was quite another.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While Dr. Machen’s analysis was accurate and presented in a temperate manner, many in the churches of his day did not accept it. Why was that, and what can we learn in our day about being vigilant in defending and promoting biblical Christianity?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Mind of Liberalism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the first place, we should try to understand how the liberals saw themselves and how they communicated their convictions to others. Liberals insisted that they were evangelical Christians. They believed that they did hold to the essentials of the Christian faith. They insisted, affirming the language of the Auburn Affirmation of 1924, that they held to basic Christian doctrines and only rejected some of the theories that fundamentalists used to elaborate those doctrines. For instance, they believed that Jesus was God with them, but not in the virgin birth. The liberals sincerely believed that they alone would save Christianity in the modern world by making it more relevant. As such, they were active missionaries for their cause.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dr. Machen was right when he stated of the liberals:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By the equivocal use of traditional phrases, by the representation of differences of opinion as though they were only differences about the interpretation of the Bible, entrance into the Church was secured for those who are hostile to the very foundations of the faith. But the liberals denied such charges, and by using ambiguous language, they persuaded many that they were not as bad as their critics claimed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The controversy between liberals and fundamentalists was not only about truth for Dr. Machen, it was about ethics. The liberals were not straightforward or honorable in making their beliefs clear. He wrote that “honesty is being relinquished in wholesale fashion by the liberal party in many ecclesiastical bodies today.” They had promised in their ordination vows to uphold doctrines that they did not believe.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Conservative Mind
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dr. Machen believed that the majority of church members in his day were basically conservative. They did not want extensive changes in the doctrine or life of their churches. They were somewhat anxious about where the liberals wanted to take the church. However, they tended to be optimistic about the future and were concerned about criticism of liberalism that seemed too negative or strident.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The leadership of the conservative wing of the church did not present a united front. While the staunch conservatives like Dr. Machen were very alarmed and critical of the liberals, other moderate conservatives argued that too much negativity and divisiveness would undermine the mission of the church. Conservative church members often did not know whom to believe or follow.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The division of opinion among conservative leaders and the optimism of many conservatives disposed them to shy away from a fight. As early as 1915, Dr. Machen saw the potential danger of this situation:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The mass of the Church here is still conservative—but conservative in an ignorant, non-polemic, sweetness-and-light kind of way which is just meat for the wolves. I do not mean to use harsh phrases in a harsh way, and my language must be understood to be biblical. As Paul had warned the Ephesian elders about wolves attacking the sheep of the church, so Dr. Machen worried that the sheep of the church in his day were very vulnerable to liberal wolves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Confessionalist Mind
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While Dr. Machen was often seen as the greatest intellectual leader of the fundamentalist movement, he was not entirely comfortable with the fundamentalist movement. He did not believe that it was enough to defend just five fundamentals of the faith. He believed that fundamentalism was too individualistic, too reductionistic, and too unconcerned with history. For Machen, true Christianity was an historic community with a full and coherent theology. True Christianity, as Dr. Machen knew it in the Reformed tradition, came to doctrinal expression in a full confession of faith, such as the Westminster Confession of Faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dr. Machen believed a confession expressed the mind of the church and showed church members what the church confessed as the great and necessary teachings of the Bible. The confession should serve as an antidote to doctrinal ignorance in the church as the church diligently teaches its confession to its members. The confession should show the church what doctrines it must fight to uphold. It should strengthen the church as the bulwark of the truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today, evangelical churches face doctrinal challenges every bit as serious as those of the 1920s. Some evangelicals reject the inerrancy of the Bible. Some reject the historic doctrine of God for what they call “open theism.” Some reject the biblical doctrine of justification that was recovered by the Reformation for some form of moralism.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelical churches today, however, are far less troubled by the serious doctrinal errors that divide them than they were in the 1920s. They are less vigilant than they were then. The church generally has not learned the lesson of confessionalism. Doctrinal knowledge, biblical understanding, and disciplined Christian living seem to have declined rather than advanced since the 1920s.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul’s call to thoughtful vigilance is needed more today than ever. Ministers, elders, and church members today must be renewed in the truth by a full and careful knowledge of doctrine contained for us in the great confessions of the churches. Then we will know where and when to fight, as well as the truth for which we fight. As Paul wrote to Timothy: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Tim. 4:16).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/call-thoughtful-vigilance" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/call-thoughtful-vigilance
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jun 2022 13:17:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-21-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-20-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-20-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-20-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Immediately
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Mark%201:18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Mark 1:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When they heard the call of Jesus, Simon and Andrew obeyed at once without hesitation. If we did likewise and punctually with resolute zeal put into practice what we hear immediately, then our attendance at the means of grace and our reading of good books could not fail to enrich us spiritually. He will not lose his loaf who has taken care to eat it immediately; neither can he be deprived of the benefit of the doctrine who has already acted upon it. Most readers and hearers become moved to decide to take action; but sadly, the proposal is a blossom that has not flowered, and as a result no fruit comes from it; they wait, they waver, and then they forget, until, like the ponds on frosty nights, when the sun shines by day, they are only thawed in time to be frozen again.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That fatal tomorrow is blood-red with the murder of good resolutions; it is the slaughterhouse of the innocents. We are very concerned that our little book of “Evening Readings” should not be fruitless, and therefore we pray that readers may not be readers only, but doers of the Word. The practice of truth is the fruit of profitable reading.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Should the reader be impressed with any duty while perusing these pages, let him be quick to fulfill it before the holy glow has departed from his soul, and let him leave his nets and all that he has rather than be found rebellious to the Master’s call. Do not give place to the devil by delay! Act while opportunity and desire are working in happy partnership. Do not be caught in your own nets, but break the meshes of worldliness, and go where glory calls you. Happy is the writer who will meet with readers resolved to carry out his teachings: His harvest will be a hundredfold, and his Master will have great honor. We can only pray that this might be our reward from these brief meditations and hurried hints. Grant it, O Lord, to Your servant!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 20 Jun 2022 13:37:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-20-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-17-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-17-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Promises Fulfilled
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then Israel sang this song: ‘Spring up, O well! Sing to it!’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Numbers%2021:17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Numbers 21:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This well was famous in the wilderness because it was the subject of a promise: “That is the well of which the LORD said to Moses, ‘Gather the people together, so that I may give them water.’” The people needed water, and it was promised by their gracious God. We need fresh supplies of heavenly grace, and in the covenant the Lord has pledged Himself to give us all we require.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The well also became the cause of a song. Before the water gushed out, cheerful faith prompted the people to sing; and as they saw the crystal fountain bubbling up, the music grew more joyful. In similar fashion, we who believe the promise of God should rejoice in the prospect of divine revivals in our souls, and as we experience them our holy joy should overflow. Are we thirsting? Then let us not grumble but sing. Spiritual thirst is bitter to bear, but we need not bear it—the promise indicates a well; so let us be of good heart, and look for it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Moreover, the well was the center of prayer. “Spring up, O well.” What God has promised to give, we must seek after, or we show that we have neither desire nor faith. This evening let us ask that the Scripture we have read, and our devotional exercises, may not be an empty formality but a channel of grace to our souls. May God the Holy Spirit work in us with all His mighty power, filling us with all the fullness of God. Lastly, the well was the object of effort. “The nobles of the people delved, with the scepter and with their staffs.” The Lord wants us to be active in obtaining grace. Our implements are ill suited for digging in the sand, but we must use them to the best of our ability. Prayer must not be neglected; the gathering of God’s people must not be forsaken; ordinances must not be set aside. The Lord will give us His peace most generously, but not on the path of laziness. Let us, then, stir ourselves to seek Him in whom we find all our fresh and flowing springs.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jun 2022 14:05:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-16-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-16-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-16-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Covering Your Debt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied among you, my dear friends and fellow Christians. After Jesus gives us the principles, if you will, about forgiveness, he gives us a practical story to hang our hats on because he knows that stories tend to fill in a lot of little blanks. There was a servant, Jesus tells us in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew%2018/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , who owed 10,000 talents to his king. One talent comes to about 75 pounds, and in the case of money, that means 75 pounds of gold. One pound of gold today would cost you somewhere in the vicinity of $60,000. 75 pounds of gold or one talent comes to $4.5 million. 10,000 times 4.5 million comes to well, a whole lot of money. It would take me a long time to earn that much money, let alone to earn enough to pay back that kind of debt. Why, it would take me forever and a day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That’s the point. It would take an impossible eternity. There came a time when the king decided that it was time to settle accounts with his servants. So, quite obviously, when called in, this servant didn’t even begin to think that he could pay his debt back, and notice this, the servant was brought to him. The servant didn’t come of his own accord. Why? Why didn’t he come of his own accord? You guessed it. Because he knew that the king would say to him, “Pay up,” and who wants to hear that especially when you can’t pay up? So, the servant had to be brought to the king, and there was another thing the servant was sure of. His king would be far more interested in justice than he would be interested in mercy. The servant, you see, had created the king in his own image.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Because the servant was a man who counted justice as the most important thing, he couldn’t even conceive of a king who would be any different. This, by the way, is what ends up biting him in the end. So, with bankruptcy laws much tougher then, than now, the king decided to have the servant sold along with his wife and children and everything he had, to pay as much of the debt as possible. Up to this point, the servant had been right about the king. The king was a man of justice who wanted all the I’s dotted and all the T’s crossed, and every single being accounted for. When you have a debt like this, there’s nothing you can do, but hope against all hope that the king might have a heart, and that a plea for mercy might be heard, and of course, say some stupid thing about justice, and that’s exactly what this servant does.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The king releases the servant. The king declares the servant to be no longer a servant, but a free man, a completely debt-free, free man.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On top of pleading for mercy, he makes a stupid promise that he can’t possibly keep. “Have patience with me,” he said, “and I will pay you everything.” Not on a servant’s salary he won’t. Yet, despite the absolute impossibility of that promise, the king takes pity on him, cancels his debt, and forgives the servant what he owes. That would be like having your house loan, your car loans, your credit card debt, all of your children’s student loans and whatever other debt you have accumulated, canceled millions of times over again. The king gave the servant a most incredible gift, a most incredible deserved gift, the gift of mercy. I left out the most unbelievable part of the whole thing. The king releases the servant. The king declares the servant to be no longer a servant, but a free man, a completely debt-free, free man.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You know the rest of the story. This servant whose life was literally spared by the king, left the king’s court and sought out one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 denarii. That comes to about a third of a year’s wage. That’s still a significant amount of money, not in comparison to what he owed the king, but it still amounts to some bucks, right? “Pay up,” he said. The other servant was in the same boat as the first. He was unable to pay back the loan, and so he did what the first servant did. He begged for mercy, using almost the same words as the first servant did when he approached the king. “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” That’s a promise that could be kept.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One would think that someone who had just been forgiven one hell of a debt (and I say it that way for a reason) wouldn’t care so much about 100 day’s wages. But instead, the first servant holds the second servant’s feet to the fire, and shows the man no mercy. When the king found out about this, he was enraged, and said to the first servant, “You wicked servant.” He demotes him from freeman to servant. “I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me, and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” Then the king handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he paid back what he owed, and that torture would go on for, you guessed it, forever and a day, because he could never pay it all back.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The servant acted toward his brother as if nothing had changed, and so the king treated him as if nothing had changed. I’m fairly well acquainted with this first servant. Are you? Each one of us owes a debt to the king, a debt we’re in no position to pay. The debt, of course, is our sin. From our very conception, we’ve been rebels, maybe fairly decent rebels, generally honest, upright compared to others, kind of B average rebels, and an honest B average isn’t bad. But God has said that deep down, our rebellion has brought us death. How embarrassed we would be to see the tab, to have others see the tab we’ve run up against God?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What would it be like to have every one of your thoughts, all of your actions, all of your words, exposed for everyone to see. “If you, oh Lord, should mark iniquities, oh Lord, who could stand?” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%20130%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 130:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The answer of course, is no one. We have an eternity of debt that all of our good, all of our changed behaviors and all of our incredible effort, can’t even begin to start paying off, and offering up our wonderful wives and our dear children to pay the debt for us won’t do, because they’re sinners too, with a debt equal to ours.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When it comes to settling accounts with God, the very best we can do is confess the truth about ourselves, to fess up as much as it hurts our pride to say the same thing about us as God has been saying about us all along. We stand before God totally bankrupt, with debts of sin far beyond the debts of Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. We stand before God completely vulnerable and utterly reliant on nothing but pure grace and mercy, on nothing but a gift. For someone in a debt this great can only be given to. God would be perfectly justified tossing us into the jails of hell forever, and if God was created in the image of man, this is what he would do. You’ve already spent the money you took out on your second loan. Your mortgage has reset to an interest rate far beyond your ability to pay.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In fact, you have no ability to pay at all. You’ve been riffed. You’ve lost your job, your IRA, your stock portfolio, all the savings you’ve squirreled away, all over the place, that extra house you own. Your pickup’s been impounded. You’ve already pulled the kids out of their private schools. Every time the doorbell rings, you fear that they’ve come to take your house away. Your medical bills are mounting as the stress has become unbearable. You can’t sleep at night, and finally you’re summoned to the bank. What’s the banker going to say? What would your banker say? Unlike your banker, God has taken pity on us. He knew that if he would simply give us more time to change or to pay off the debt ourselves, we’d never get one single step closer to making things right with him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The only answer to our debt problem is mercy – his incredible mercy. By it, he cancels our debt, all of it, completely erased and let go forever. This isn’t just a story. This actually happened. In fact, all of it, late on a spring Friday afternoon in an outdoor courtroom on the top of a hill, somewhere outside of Jerusalem. There you went from owing an infinite debt to becoming debt-free. There you went from being a slave to sin, to a free man in Christ. There, the king offered up one greater even than your wife and your children to pay your debt. By that one man’s dying and rising again, your account is settled with the king forever. All this was done without any merit or worthiness in you, but simply because of the Father’s divine goodness and mercy, and the Son’s brotherly compassion for a son of Adam and for a daughter of Eve.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not only did he do this and tell you, “Why don’t you give it a little bit of thought when you kind of get blue and down?” No, he delivers it to you because, like the servant, you won’t go to him of your own accord. No. He has you brought to him here in the waters of baptism so that he can bathe you in forgiving water. He has brought you here so that he can stick his words of forgiveness into your ears, ears that need to hear of a father’s mercy. He places it on your tongue, so that by it, you can taste and see that the King is very good. So it is that we depart from the King’s presence with a peace beyond any peace we’ve ever known. Our Lord’s benediction, his good words spoken over us, his face, and his favor turned our way.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Forgiven sons, forgiven daughters, let off the hook, now and forever. Now comes the most bizarre part of the parable. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him 100 denarii. In seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, “Pay what you owe.” So, his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” He refused and put him in prison until he could pay the debt. Who, after having been forgiven a multi-trillion dollar debt and freed from slavery, would go off and try to beat less than half a year’s wage out of someone who’s still a slave? I mean, you can almost say, “Jesus, you’re just, you’re pushing this story. Nobody ever does that kind of thing. Who would be that greedy?” Except that we see it happen around us all the time don’t we?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The truth is, none of our debts, none of our sins, none of our trespasses, and none of our errors will ever be an obstacle to the grace of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The King of grace and glory fully and freely forgives me my entire debt, but pardon my French; I’ll be damned if I’m going to forgive the debt of my debtor. It’s my legal right to imprison them in their unforgiveness until they pay what they owe. That’s not so bizarre, is it? Not so unheard of, is it? I’ll be damned, and that’s Jesus’s point. Unless we die to the accounts by which we have tried to justify ourselves, unless we die to the grudges, our old sinful nature’s love to hold, we’ll never enjoy the forgiveness that is in fact already ours. We’ll never find the peace we so desperately seek in this life, even though Jesus hands it to us on a silver platter. For where there is no forgiveness, to paraphrase Luther, life gets sucked out of you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That’s what happens in the rest of the story. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and went and reported to their master all that had taken place. His master summoned him and said, “You wicked servant. I forgave you all your debt because you pleaded with me, and should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” In anger, his master delivered him to the jailers until he should pay all his debt. The king runs through the entire scenario. The only difference in the two stories is that the king says to the first servant, “I died for you for Christ’s sake, but you were so busy keeping score. You were so busy counting up the debts of others, you were so busy making plans for this life of yours, that you never even noticed what I really did for you,” and the king pronounced his judgment.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “You want to count beans, servant? Okay, go ahead. Go to hell, and count your beans, and you can start by paying back every bean you owe me. If you won’t die to yourself, so that your fellow servant can live, if you want to hold grudges, if you want to keep score, and demand an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, then go live in the prison of all of that for the rest of your short little life. Go ahead, spend your whole life counting debts. Spend your whole life imprisoned yourself, in your own unforgiveness.” The truth is, none of our debts, none of our sins, none of our trespasses, and none of our errors will ever be an obstacle to the grace of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Nothing we do, not even an unforgiving spirit can keep God away from us, because Jesus has died for our debts and our trespasses and our errors and our by-nature sinful and cleanness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He’s paid even for that. With his blood, his cross was big enough to shelter even you, and your redemption is safe in Christ. This parable is not about works. Jesus is talking to people who are already on the inside. He’s talking to his body, he’s talking to the church, but it’s like, Jesus is saying, “If this side of heaven, you want to have a taste, just a little taste of the joy that was set before me to forgive the sins of the world, if you want to carry your cross painful as it is to carry it, but be able to carry it all the same, still being at peace, then take the chance and freely forgive your undeserving brother or sister from your heart. Try it, because let me tell you what happens. If you have received all of the forgiveness in the world, and you don’t forgive your sister or your brother, I’m still forgiving you.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Nothing can take you out of the palm of my hand, but it is going to be hell for you until the day you die, and I take you to be with me, because you’re going to be so busy counting the beans of other people’s sins against you, that you will never know the joy of dying to yourself. You’ll never see dying to yourself the way I see dying to myself, as a gift to give away. You’ll only count dying to yourself as a debt that somebody has to repay you. This side of heaven, you’ll never know the joy of letting a brother’s debts go and forgiving your sister’s trespasses against you, and permitting your parents’ mistakes in parenting to pass away into the joy of forgiveness that’s already yours in me. You’ll never know the peace of God, and not knowing the peace of God, I think that’s right where hell begins.” So, now may the peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and your minds in Christ, Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/covering-your-debt" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/covering-your-debt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jun 2022 14:39:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-16-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-15-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-15-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-15-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two Powers...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In a world of turmoil and injustice, conflict and suffering, we long for a day when all will be put right.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A scene in the public ministry of Jesus of Nazareth helps us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. As he (Jesus) stepped out on land, a man of the city who had demons met him. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but in the tombs… (Luke 8:26-27).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While today the man would be probably diagnosed with some form of psychosis, Luke, the physician, says he was demon-possessed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alien powers. Which raises an interesting question for us. The world of the Bible did not have the fields of psychiatry and psychology, yet the Bible does teach that we human beings are strange creatures who live on the boundary of two worlds – the physical and the spiritual. Sickness can invade this psychosomatic unity from either of those spheres. And when it does, it can cause symptoms that affect both the physical and the spiritual, the mind and the body.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, just as illness can invade us from either source, so healing can come from either source. And when it is successful it can bring both spiritual and physical relief. We recognise this, for example, when we bring prayer and medicine to bear on cancer. In the same way, we can bring prayer and psychiatry together for a person who is mentally ill.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke’s record provides a helpful clue to our question of diagnosis: the man fell down at Jesus’ feet, not in worship but in recognition of Jesus’ superior power. He shouted, ‘What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beseech you, do not torment me’ (8:28).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The man was suffering from more than mental illness or uncontrolled behaviour through alcoholism or drug addiction. Markers of his condition were the length of time he had been disturbed and his awareness of the supernatural.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His response to Jesus’ question, ‘What is your name?’ shows how true this was. ‘Legion,’ he said. The powers within him knew they were confronted by someone greater, for Jesus was commanding them to leave the man (Luke 8:29-30).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A greater power. Fearing the abyss, the restriction of their movement, these alien forces asked Jesus to let them enter a large herd of swine. They may have thought this would allow them to move around. Receiving Jesus’ permission, they entered the pigs and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned (Luke 8:33).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The destruction of the pigs graphically captures the ultimate purpose of such cosmic powers. They are hell-bent on the destruction of God’s creation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke’s juxtaposition of the before and after scenes reinforces this. Under the influence of dark powers, the man had no shame. He was naked and couldn’t live in normal society – only amongst the dead. He couldn’t be restrained and was unable to enjoy meaningful human relationships, let alone relationship with God. He was alienated and alone, an outcast. The powers of darkness are intent on defacing and destroying the image of God in us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, released from the dark powers through Jesus’ greater power, the man’s life was dramatically changed: the towns people found him sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind (Luke 8:35). Whereas previously he hadn’t wanted companionship, now he wanted to be with Jesus. Whereas previously he had lived amongst the dead, now Jesus told him to return …home (Luke 8:38-39a).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus holds out to us the promise of restoration and hope.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The picture the New Testament paints is that the Creator’s rightful rule has been usurped by a coup – by what the Letter to the Ephesians calls the rulers of this present darkness (Ephesians 6:12). Currently there is a conflict between two distinct spheres of existence – the heavenly and the earthly. However, the scene in the land of the Gerasenes points us to the supremacy of Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For the present, we are naïve if we ignore the reality that there are dark forces in the cosmos intent on controlling the lives of men and women. As the scene in Luke 8 reveals, and as we read in Ephesians chapter 6, our struggle is not simply against flesh and blood. God’s people are caught up in a struggle with the powers of darkness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, the Bible assures us that the day is coming when everything will be brought under the manifest rule of Jesus Christ – as we read for example, in Ephesians 1:10. Christianity is not a dualistic faith. God’s king is supreme. Jesus’ restoration of the man in the land of the Gerasenes points to this reality.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A commission. There’s something else in the scene in Luke chapter 8. Despite the good Jesus had done for the man, the local property owners and townspeople didn’t want him to stay. They feared him (Luke 8:35, 37). But Jesus didn’t leave this non-Jewish world without a witness. He commissioned the man to stay and let everyone know what God had done for him (Luke 8:39). His presence and testimony would be a constant reminder of the extraordinary Jewish man who had visited and brought about an amazing transformation to his life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From the way Luke has recorded this event, it is clear he wants us not only to grasp the impact of Jesus’ power, but also to feel the extent of his care and compassion – and not least to those who are outside Israel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s good news is that a remarkable intervention has occurred in world events. The true king of the universe himself has come amongst us, not with great fanfare, let alone with an army. That was not his strategy. Rather, single-handedly, he has mortally wounded the prince of darkness and is now gathering from all over the world people who are loyal to him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To achieve his purposes, he involves us – to pray for God’s mercy and to introduce our family and connections to the compassionate and all-powerful Lord Jesus Christ. He is the one who will put all things right.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Lord God, the unfailing helper and guide of those whom you bring up in your steadfast fear and love, keep us, we pray, under the protection of your good providence, and give us a continual reverence and love for your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/two-powers/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/two-powers/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 15 Jun 2022 12:59:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-15-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-14-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-14-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-14-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All My Fears Relieved
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the Proverbs tell us, and the fear of the Lord is the beginning of the end of all other fears. For us as sons of God, to fear God means to humbly trust Him and helplessly tremble before Him with reverence and awe, love and gratitude (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%20147%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 147:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Cor.%207%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 7:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Heb.%2012%3A28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 12:28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Although most fear is deadly, the fear of the Lord is life. The fears we experience in this life are countless and complex. And while we have chosen to address seven deadly fears, there are innumerably more that each of us experience every day of our lives. For it’s not only that we experience fears from things outside of us, but that we experience fears from things within us, as Martin Luther admitted: “I more fear what is within me than what comes from without.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fear often takes the form of anxiety when we worry about things that might happen to us, but it also takes the form of anxiety when we worry about things that have already happened to us. We fear not only the fiery darts that come from the hand of our Enemy, but we fear the fiery darts our hearts sometimes shoot at themselves. What’s more, we sometimes worry about our proclivity to worry, and we find ourselves fearing our worst fears coming true. We fear and we worry when we try to play God and act as if we are sovereignly in control of our lives. It’s only when we trust God and daily recognize and surrender to His sovereign control that we know we are rightly fearing God as the sovereign God He is.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Whenever I encounter someone who claims not ever to worry about anything or who claims not to have any fears, I conclude one of three things: they are lying, they are self-deceived, or they have grown so callous and complacent to their own hearts that they don't care about anything or anyone and are, thus, blindly self-absorbed. The believer is one who has been rescued and redeemed, justified and pardoned by God, and he is one who still has indwelling sin, and, thus, fear and anxiety. Yet, whereas the unbeliever is riddled with self-sustaining and self-medicating fears and anxieties, the believer takes all his fears and anxieties to the One whose perfect love casts out fear (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20John%204%3A18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 4:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). As God’s adopted sons, God has sovereignly humbled us and has graciously made our hearts to fear Him so that all our other fears might be no more, as John Newton so beautifully penned in his hymn “Amazing Grace”: “Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.” However, we cannot rightly fear God if we don’t know God, and so the more we know the God of the Bible, the more we are able to rightly fear the holy and gracious God who fearfully and wonderfully made us to live coram Deo, before His face forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/all-my-fears-relieved" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/all-my-fears-relieved
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2022 12:33:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-14-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-13-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-13-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-13-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Happy and Holy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remove far from me falsehood and lying.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Proverbs%2030:8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Proverbs 30:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do not forsake me, O Lord!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2038:21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Psalms 38:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here we have two great lessons—what to deprecate and what to supplicate. The happiest state of a Christian is the holiest state. Just as there is the most heat nearest to the sun, so there is the most happiness closest to Christ. No Christian enjoys comfort when his eyes are fixed on falsehood—he finds no satisfaction unless his soul is quickened in the ways of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The world may find happiness elsewhere, but he cannot. I do not blame ungodly men for rushing to their pleasures. Why should I? Let them have their fill. That is all they have to enjoy. A converted wife who despaired of her husband was always very kind to him, for she said, “I fear that this is the only world in which he will be happy, and therefore I have made up my mind to make him as happy as I can in it.” Christians must seek their delights in a higher sphere than the tasteless trifles or sinful enjoyments of the world. Empty pursuits are dangerous to renewed souls.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We have heard of a philosopher who, while he looked up to the stars, fell into a pit; but how deeply do they fall who look down. Their fall is fatal. No Christian is safe when his soul is lazy, and his God is far from him. Every Christian is always safe as to the great matter of his standing in Christ, but he is not safe as regards his experience in holiness and communion with Jesus in this life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Satan does not often attack a Christian who is living near to God. It is when the Christian departs from God, becomes spiritually starved, and tries to feed on lies that the devil discovers his moment of advantage. He may sometimes stand foot to foot with the child of God who is active in his Master’s service, but the battle is generally brief. He who slips as he goes down into the Valley of Humiliation will find that with every false step he invites the devil’s attack. O for grace to walk humbly with our God!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2022 01:21:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-13-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-10-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-10-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-10-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ at the Center
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is they that bear witness about me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%205:39/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            John 5:39
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega of the Bible. He is the constant theme of its sacred pages; from beginning to end they bear witness to Him. At the creation we immediately recognize Him as one of the sacred Trinity; we catch a glimpse of Him in the promise of the woman’s seed; we see Him pictured in the ark of Noah; we walk with Abraham as He sees Messiah’s day; we live in the tents of Isaac and Jacob, feeding upon the gracious promise; and in the numerous types of the law, we find the Redeemer abundantly foreshadowed. Prophets and kings, priests and preachers all look one way—they all stand as the cherubs did over the ark, desiring to look within and to read the mystery of God’s great propitiation. Even more obvious in the New Testament we discover that Jesus is the one pervading subject.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is not that He is mentioned every so often or that we can find Him in the shadows; no, the whole substance of the New Testament is Jesus crucified, and even its closing sentence sparkles with the Redeemer’s name. We should always read Scripture in this light; we should consider the Word to be like a mirror into which Christ looks down from heaven; and then we, looking into it, see His face reflected—darkly, it is true, but still in such a way as to be a blessed preparation for one day seeing Him face to face.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The New Testament contains Jesus Christ’s letters to us, which are perfumed by His love. These pages are like the garments of our King, and they all bear His fragrance. Scripture is the royal chariot in which Jesus rides, and it is paved with love for the daughters of Jerusalem. The Scriptures are like the swaddling clothes of the holy child Jesus; unroll them, and there you find your Savior. The essence of the Word of God is Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 10 Jun 2022 14:23:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-10-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kentucky Derby '22 Outreach Game Summary - Clay Hall</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-clay-hall</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 27 labors for the Derby Outreach!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Clay+Hall+Kentucky+Derby+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Clay Hall
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - I have ministered at the Kentucky Derby only twice:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first time was in 2019. I was a bundle of nerves. It was my first time doing this time of street evangelism and starting at the Kentucky Derby is like being thrown into the deep end of the pool to learn how to swim. I was desperately dependent on strength from the Lord. My most memorable moment was at the end when I held a sign quoting Jesus’ words from John 14:6 for thousands to read as they exited Churchill Downs shoulder to shoulder. I said hardly a word for an hour and a half as people paraded out under the voice of powerful preaching from my fellow co-laborers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The second time was in 2022 -just this past weekend. I now had three years of street evangelism under my belt and knew what to expect. By God’s grace, He reminded me that apart from Him, I am nothing and He gave me a sense of desperate dependence once again. And I needed it because this time, instead of letting a sign do the talking, I, along with a few other brothers, was called upon to preach to the thousands that exited the racetrack.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Along with me holding the sign in 2019, this preaching experience was tied for the most memorable highlight of my public Gospel ministry thus far. I cannot describe the sense of God’s pleasure that I felt ministering the Gospel to thousands at once. The closest I can come is to call it a “Holy Spirit-fueled adrenaline rush.” God is so good, y’all!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord truly drove this Scripture home to me this weekend:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Corinthians 5:11-15, “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. . . . For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 10 Jun 2022 08:00:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-clay-hall</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Clay+Hall+Kentucky+Derby+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-9-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-9-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-9-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Flirting with the Law
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Cor.%203%3A4-11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 3:4-11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When man, conscious of his failure to keep God's command, is constantly urged by the Law to make payment of his debt and confronted with nothing but the terrible wrath of God and eternal condemnation, he cannot but sink into despair over his sins. Such is the inevitable consequence where the Law alone is taught with a view to attaining heaven through it. The vanity of such trust in works is illustrated in the case of the noted hermit mentioned in Vitae Patrum. For over seventy years this hermit had led a life of utmost austerity, and had many followers. When the hour of death came he began to tremble, and for three days was in a state of agony. His disciples came to comfort him, exhorting him to die in peace since he had led so holy a life. But he replied: "Alas, I truly have all my life served Christ and lived austerely; but God's judgment greatly differs from that of men."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Note, this worthy man, despite the holiness of his life, has no acquaintance with any article but that of the divine judgment according to the Law. He knows not the comfort of Christ's Gospel. After a long life spent in the attempt to keep God's commandments and secure salvation, the Law now slays him through his own works. He is compelled to exclaim: "Alas, who knows how God will look upon my efforts? Who may stand before him?" That means, to forfeit heaven through the verdict of his own conscience. The work he has wrought and his holiness of life avail nothing. They merely push him deeper into death, since he is without the solace of the Gospel, while others, such as the thief on the cross and the publican, grasp the comfort of the Gospel, the forgiveness of sins in Christ. Thus sin is conquered; they escape the sentence of the Law, and pass through death into life eternal.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul is in an ecstasy of delight, and his heart overflows in words of praise for the Gospel. Again he handles the Law severely, calling it a ministration, or doctrine, of death and condemnation. What term significant of greater abomination could he apply to God's Law than to call it a doctrine of death? (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Cor%203%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor 3:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) And again, he calls it a "minister or preacher of sin” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gal%202%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal 2:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and the message which proclaims a curse, saying, "As many as are of the works of the law are under a curse." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gal%203%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal 3:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) Absolute, then, is the conclusion that Law and works are powerless to justify before God; for how can a doctrine proclaiming only sin, death and condemnation justify and save?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul speaks this way because of the infamous presumption of both teachers and pupils, in that they permit flesh and blood to flirt with the Law. And in doing so, make their own works which they bring before God as their boast. Yet, nothing is effected but self-deception and destruction. For, when the Law is viewed in its true light, when its "glory" is revealed (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Cor%203%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor 3:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), it is found to do nothing more than to kill man and sink him into condemnation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Therefore, the Christian will do well to learn these texts of Paul and have an armor against the boasting of false teachers, and the torments and trials of the devil when he urges the Law and induces men to seek righteousness in their own works, tormenting their heart with the thought that salvation is dependent upon the achievements of the individual. The Christian will do well to learn this text, so that in such conflicts he may take the devil's own sword, saying: "Why do you annoy me with talk of the Law and my works? What is the Law after all, however much you may preach it to me, but that which makes me feel the weight of sin, death and condemnation? Why should I seek righteousness before God there?"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When the glory and holiness of Christ, revealed through the preaching of the Gospel, is rightly perceived then the glory of the Law--which is but a feeble and transitory glory--is seen to be not really glorious. It is mere dark clouds in contrast to the light of Christ shining to lead us out of sin, death and hell unto God and eternal life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/flirting-with-the-law" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/flirting-with-the-law
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jun 2022 15:41:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-9-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Riverbend Festival '22 Outreach Game Summary - Brad Madewell Video</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-brad-madewell-video</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for the ministry of the Gospel of Christ going forth in preaching and many Gospel tracts and conversations of the Gospel in Chattanooga, TN at Riverbend.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brad+Madewell+Video+christian+outreach+ministries+ministry+reports.png" alt="christian outreach ministries"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Brad Madewell
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           preaching at Riverbend
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch it below:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival#gamesummary"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival#gamesummary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jun 2022 14:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/riverbend-festival-22-outreach-game-summary-brad-madewell-video</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brad+Madewell+Video+christian+outreach+ministries+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kentucky Derby '22 Outreach Game Summary - Bobby McCreery</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-bobby-mccreery</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 27 labors for the Derby Outreach!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bobby+McCreery+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bobby McCreery
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - It was a great privilege to labor alongside these saints at the outreach to the #KentuckyDerby22 fans with @sportsfanoutreach please pray the Lord would increase the seeds planted and watered to the praise of His glory. Thank you Lord and thank you team. I hope we can do it all again next year.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Kentucky+Derby+May+5-8_22+group+photo.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jun 2022 08:00:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-bobby-mccreery</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bobby+McCreery+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The Mark of a Sloppy Age</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/the-mark-of-a-sloppy-age</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked... - Revelation 3:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/The+Mark+of+a+Sloppy+Age+Dr.+Martin+Lloyd-Jones.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked... - Revelation 3:17 
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are living in an age that dislikes precision and definitions. It is an age that is anti-theological, anti-doctrinal and which dislikes propositions and exact knowledge. It is a lazy age in every respect, a sentimental, sloppy age, an age that wants entertainment and dislikes effort. This tendency shows itself in many ways which are generally very plausible. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           One way is to say that Christianity is something that is so wonderful that it cannot be defined, that it baffles analysis or any attempt to state it in propositions. It cannot be done, they say. You experience it marvelous and wonderful! But if you try to analyze it, then you destroy it, there is nothing left.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another way is this: that Christianity is only a matter of one's spirit. What makes us Christians is our spirit, and if we have an appropriate spirit, then we are Christians. Christianity is an attitude, a view of life, a general statement concerning our personality and our being. There was a slogan not so long ago which said, "Christianity is caught, not taught." You catch the spirit. You feel it in the meeting and you get it. But what is it? Well, you do not know, but that does not matter. You have got it! That is the great thing and you feel much happier and much better than you did before.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           But the thing that has given me the greatest pleasure and encouragement of all the things I have ever been told that people say about my ministry was said by a lady, who remonstrated, "This man preaches to us as if we were sinners!" 
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Quite so. Church people often feel, "We must not be searched or examined, we are all right. Of course, denounce those sinners who are outside the church or those liberals, but we are the people who are orthodox! We do not need that, we need instruction. We want these general lectures, these addresses, these character studies. How interesting, how nice! But we must not be disturbed. There is nothing wrong with us." 
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And so such people, as you see everywhere in the Bible and in the history of the church, have always disliked anything that searches them, makes them feel uncomfortable, or probes them.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - D. M. Lloyd-Jones
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.mljtrust.org/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2022 20:54:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/the-mark-of-a-sloppy-age</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/The+Mark+of+a+Sloppy+Age+Dr.+Martin+Lloyd-Jones.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-8-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-8-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-8-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Trinity - the God Who is Love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s often said that God is love. I suggest this is glibly said because for God to love he must have someone else to love throughout eternity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In a highly patterned and repetitive piece of writing, the first book of the Bible introduces six stages of God’s creating work with, ‘And God said, “Let there be…”’ However, in the second part of verse 26 of Genesis chapter 1 this symmetry is broken. A significant plural verb is introduced, “Let us make…”. The break is emphatic. The us is not simply a royal plural. The decision to create men and women is the outcome of a conversation within the Godhead.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Old Testament consistently says there is only one God. Yet, there is constant reference to the Spirit of the Lord. Furthermore, in the New Testament, the Gospel records speak of Jesus of Nazareth as the Son of God. John the Gospel writer speaks of the Word, who was with God and who is God, coming amongst us in human form (John 1:14).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Which brings us to Jesus’ words to his disciples as he walked with them towards the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest. Jesus knew they dreaded the very idea of his departure. As so often happens, self-pity blinded them to the hidden, but greater purposes of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Nevertheless I tell you the truth’ he said, ‘it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you’ (16:7). One of the Spirit’s tasks would be to awaken and convict men and women to the reality of their broken relationship with their creator – the God who is just in all his ways.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, Jesus continued, ‘The prince of this world stands condemned’. Satan’s attempt to usurp God’s throne was confounded when Jesus was crucified (Colossians 2:15). The Spirit convicts us of sin, of the standard and triumph of righteousness, and of Satan’s defeat.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One God in three persons. We begin to see something of the significance of God being one, in three persons. He is a God of love who, in his love for us, is passionate about us loving him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Can we be sure of this? ‘I still have many things to say to you,’ Jesus said, ‘but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you’ (John 16:12-15).)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These words explain why Jesus never wrote anything down. Most of the Old Testament prophets wrote up their messages, but Jesus didn’t. He didn’t pick up a pen because he knew that the Spirit would ensure that the special revelation he had brought would not be forgotten or muddled.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Earlier Jesus had said, ‘He, the Advocate or Helper, will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you’ (John 14:26). The Spirit inspired the first disciples, the apostles, with accurate recall and a clear and correct interpretation of Jesus’ person and work.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now, in chapter 16, Jesus says the Spirit would guide the disciples into all the truth – not some of it. Subsequent generations would not be inspired to fill out more of the picture. Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit would ensure that the apostles would receive and rightly interpret all the truth about the person and work of the Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Significantly, at the end of their ministry, we don’t find them telling God’s people to look for other apostles and prophets to reveal new truth. Rather, they warned their readers against false prophets and urged God’s people to transmit faithfully what they, the apostles, had taught and delivered to God’s people (Jude 1:3).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The speaking God. We can see the logic of all this. If we are made in the image of God, if Jesus is God in human form, then God is not just a remote, powerful intelligence. He is a speaking God. He is about building relationships in the way that we do – through verbal communication.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All this helps us in our study of knowledge (epistemology). It means that amongst the sources of knowledge there is revelation as well as human discovery.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Chinese English professor who was in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, told me that when he saw the guns of the people’s army turned on the people, Marxism and Maoism within him died. ‘If there is such a thing as truth,’ he said, ‘I realized it had to come from outside human inspiration and thought’. That night, he told me, he went home and read the New Testament from cover to cover. ‘Here is the truth’, he said.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How then does God’s Spirit work within us today? We need to distinguish inspiration and illumination. The Spirit inspired the apostles to preach and write God’s truth. He now illuminates our minds as we read what the apostles have written – hence Paul: All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness… (2 Timothy 3:16); and Peter: …No prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,… but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God (2 Peter 1:20f).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The God who is love. Can we be sure that God delights in us knowing him? The answer is found in our understanding that God is love because he is a Trinity. Throughout eternity the three persons in the one Godhead love one another. When we begin to understand this we will sense the beauty and goodness, the generosity and overflowing love of God. Our life and our relationships, our lifestyle and our future hang on loving the one, ever true and eternal God who exists in three persons.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty and everlasting God, you have given us your servants grace by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and by your divine power to worship you as One: we pray that you would keep us steadfast in this faith and evermore defend us from all adversities; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/the-trinity-the-god-who-is-love/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/the-trinity-the-god-who-is-love/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2022 13:53:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-8-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kentucky Derby '22 Outreach Game Summary - Wilkins Video</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-wilkins-video</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 27 labors for the Derby Outreach!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Wilkins+Video+Kentucky+Derby+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Jordan Wilkins
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - A great opportunity Wilkins Videos had to be a part of. Thank you, Bill Adams and #SportsFanOutreachInternational and #AletheiaMinistries. For preaching the gospel to the Lost during the #KentuckyDerby22! Thank you, Pastor Paul and the Beechmont Baptist congregation for housing us!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jun 2022 08:00:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-wilkins-video</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Wilkins+Video+Kentucky+Derby+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-7-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-7-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-7-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are There Two Creation Accounts?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The New Oxford Annotated Bible, third edition, says the following in its Introduction to the Pentateuch:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For example, it has long been noted that 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/chs%201%E2%80%933/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           chs 1–3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            of Genesis twice narrate the creation of the world. People are created first in 1:27 . . . and then again in 2:7 . . . . Furthermore, the second creation account does not simply mirror or repeat the first, but differs from the first both in outline and in detail. (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/p.%205/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           p. 5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One often hears the idea that there are two creation accounts in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%201%E2%80%932/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 1–2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , almost as if it were intuitively obvious. There are certainly differences between 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%201/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%202/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . But the question is whether we have here two separate accounts of creation that have been joined together by some much later editor, or whether we have one unified account with different emphases. The former view came from the skeptical scholarship that arose from the Enlightenment. The latter has, for millennia, been the view of the church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are differences between 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%201/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 2. Perhaps the most apparent difference between the two chapters has to do with the creation of man. Chapter 1 seems to say that man and woman were created simultaneously: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gen.%201%3A27/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 1:27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). In chapter 2, the man is created first (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gen.%202%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 2:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and, later, the woman is created (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gen.%2021%E2%80%9322/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 21–22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). While this appears to be a significant difference between the two passages, it is not necessarily so.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The matter of plant life is a less noticeable but more difficult difference between 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%201/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%202/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%201/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , God created plants on the third day (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gen.%201%3A11%E2%80%9312/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 1:11–12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). In chapter 2, it appears that man was created before the plants (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gen%202/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen 2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : 5–8), thus putting the creation of plants on the sixth day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The answer to this difficulty lies in recognizing the proper relationship between chapter 1 and chapter 2. Rather than seeing these two chapters as competing accounts of creation, the reader should see them as complementary. An illustration may be helpful at this point. In the days before Google and Apple maps replaced road maps, a map of a state would show the roads in the state as a whole. In addition, there would be insets that showed more detailed maps of major cities in the state. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%201/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is like the road map of the entire state. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%202/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is like the inset, focusing on a particular city.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In this case, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%201/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            summarizes the entirety of creation. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%202/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            focuses on the sixth day and all that is related to it. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%202/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is primarily about the creation of man and the garden of Eden. This reading makes the solution clear. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%201%3A11%E2%80%9312/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 1:11–12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            refers to the creation of the plant world, while 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%202%3A5%E2%80%938/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 2:5–8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            mentions the plants associated with the garden of Eden. At the beginning of the sixth day, there was no plant in the land and no herb of the field. There are two reasons for this. First, there was no rain, and second, there was no one to till the ground. God refrained from sending the rain and planting the garden until He had created man to work the garden. Verses 7–8 make this clear. First, God created man. Second, God planted the garden. And finally, He put the man He had created in the garden to till it and keep it (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gen.%202%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 2:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reading the first two chapters of Genesis in this fashion makes better sense of them together than trying to read them as separate (and very different) accounts of creation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/creation-accounts" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/creation-accounts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jun 2022 15:26:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-7-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kentucky Derby '22 Outreach Game Summary - Stirling Long</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-stirling-long</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 27 labors for the Derby Outreach!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long+Kentucky+Derby+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            - Memorable two days of Open Air Preaching with 28 other Evangelists from all the USA, who descended on Churchill Downs for this years 148th running of the Kentucky Derby. “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark‬ ‭16:15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long+Ken+Derby+2+days.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jun 2022 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-stirling-long</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long+Kentucky+Derby+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-6-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-6-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-6-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Justified and Accepted
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are they Israelites? So am I.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/2%20Corinthians%2011:22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            2 Corinthians 11:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We have here a personal claim, and one that needs proof. The apostle knew that his claim was indisputable, but there are many people who have no right to the title yet still claim to belong to the Israel of God. If we are confidently declaring, “I am also an Israelite,” let us only say it after we have searched our hearts as in the presence of God. But if we can give proof that we are following Jesus, if we can say from the heart, “I trust Him wholly, trust Him only, trust Him simply, trust Him now, and trust Him ever,” then the position that the saints of God hold also belongs to us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All their enjoyments are our possessions; we may be the very least in Israel, “least of all saints,” but since the mercies of God belong to the saints as saints, and not as advanced saints or well-taught saints, we may put in our plea and say, “Are they Israelites? So am I. The promises are mine, grace is mine, and glory will be mine.” The claim, rightfully made, is one that will yield untold comfort. When God’s people are rejoicing that they are His, what a happiness to be able to say, “So am I!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When they speak of being pardoned and justified and accepted in the Beloved, how joyful to respond, “Through the grace of God, so am I.” But this claim not only has its enjoyments and privileges, but also its conditions and duties. We must share with God’s people in cloud as well as in sunshine. When we hear them spoken of with contempt and ridicule for being Christians, we must come boldly forward and say, “So am I.” When we see them working for Christ, giving their time, their talent, their whole heart to Jesus, we must be able to say, “So do I.” Let us then prove our gratitude by our devotion and live as those who, having claimed a privilege, are willing to take the responsibility connected with it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 06 Jun 2022 19:45:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-6-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kentucky Derby '22 Outreach Game Summary - Jordan Wilkins</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-jordan-wilkins</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 27 labors for the Derby Outreach!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jordan+Wilkins+Kentucky+Derby+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jordan Wilkins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            was live - Witnessing down at Churchill Downs: Kentucky Derby
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch now:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 06 Jun 2022 19:08:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-jordan-wilkins</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jordan+Wilkins+Kentucky+Derby+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-3-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-3-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-3-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How He is Humbled
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He humbled himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Philippians%202:8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Philippians 2:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus is the great teacher of lowliness of heart. Every day we need to learn from Him. Witness the Master taking a towel and washing His disciples’ feet! Follower of Christ, will you not humble yourself? Consider Him the Servant of servants, and surely you cannot be proud! This sentence sums up His life: “He humbled Himself.” Isn’t it true to say that on earth he was always stripping off first one robe of honor and then another until, naked, He was fastened to the cross and emptied Himself, pouring out His lifeblood, giving it up for all of us, until they laid Him penniless in a borrowed grave? Our dear Redeemer was brought low! How then can we be proud?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stand at the foot of the cross and count the purple drops by which you have been cleansed; see the crown of thorns; mark His scourged shoulders; see hands and feet given up to the rough iron, and His whole self to mockery and scorn; see the bitterness and the pains of inward grief, showing themselves in His outward frame; hear the beleaguered cry, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” And if you do not lie prostrate on the ground before that cross, you have never seen it: If you are not humbled in the presence of Jesus, you do not know Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You were so lost that nothing could save you but the sacrifice of God’s only Son. Think of that, and as Jesus stooped for you, bow yourself in lowliness at His feet. A sense of Christ’s amazing love for us has a greater tendency to humble us than even an awareness of our own guilt. May the Lord bring our thoughts to Calvary; then our position will no longer be that of the pompous man of pride, but we will take the humble place of one who loves much because he has been forgiven much.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pride cannot live beneath the cross. Let us sit there and learn our lesson, and then rise and carry it into practice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/6/3/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/6/3/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 04 Jun 2022 15:00:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-3-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SUPERNATURAL POWER for WORLD MISSIONS</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/supernatural-power-for-world-missions</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The greatest power in the universe
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      
           is the power of God’s Holy Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SUPERNATURAL+POWER+for+WORLD+MISSIONS+Dr+Peter+Hammond+Blog+post.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5 June
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            is Pentecost Sunday.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            For a Christian not to be Spirit-filled is a downright sin. If you are not filled with the Spirit then you are living in sin. God commands us in Ephesians 5:18: “
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be filled with the Spirit
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ” and if you do not obey then you sin by neglect (James 4:17).
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            By indifference to the Word of God, by apathy to His commands, by spiritual laziness and carelessness, by a sluggish and lukewarm response to God’s great command to be filled with the Spirit, the church has been filled by the world, by the flesh and by the devil with sinful, half-hearted, lukewarm, semi-saved, half-saved, pseudo-saved and even unsaved poor imitations of the real thing.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            We, Christians, are in a
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           full-scale war
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            , but we do not seem to be doing much fighting! The church is being attacked by the powers of darkness (Ephesians 6:13). Deception, sin and worldliness are crippling and undermining church outreach and growth. Worse still, we do not seem to be aware of it. All of us have friends and family who are under the attack of the evil one. We have family members chained by the devil, friends trapped in addictions and sinful habits and the church has sheep who are being carried away captive by the false prophets and filthy demons of hell (Isaiah 42:22). Secular humanists are deceiving, distracting and deluding Christians.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            Satanists and occultists are undermining and assaulting the leaders and the work of the church by incarnations, hexes and subtle
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           spiritual warfare
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            . By tempting, blinding, deceiving and deluding Christians to engage in false priorities, embrace false doctrines, adopt false agendas, employ human solutions, become ensnared in sinful habits and addictions, by keeping Christians from the Bible and hindering us from prayer, the devil has tragically rendered whole congregations ineffective. Many have accepted a false god, a false gospel and a false mission.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            The devil is waging an all-out war against the forces of Jesus Christ and many seem to be confined to barracks, tamely singing choruses and enjoying fun and fellowship.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            Napoleon once said as he looked over the vast expanse of China: “There lies a sleeping giant – let him sleep; for if he wakes, he will shake the world!” Today the devil could be saying the very same of the church: “There lies a sleeping giant… if he wakes, he will
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SHAKE THE WORLD
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           !”
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We can liberate the world for Christ
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            (1 John 5:4). We can reach every tribe, tongue and people for Christ in this generation (Mark 9:23). Christianity without Christ’s mighty Holy Spirit is dry, dull, powerless, inept and ineffective. Christianity in the power of the Holy Spirit is dynamic, fresh, spiritual, powerful, invincible, earth-shaking, history-making!
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The greatest power in the universe is the power of God’s Holy Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is no limit to what God can do in and with and through you (Mark 10:27), if He is not quenched (1 Thessalonians 5:19), No limit!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was said of the Christians of the first century that they “turned the world upside down” and that is exactly what true Christianity, in the power of the Holy Spirit, always accomplishes! Read through the Book of Acts and notice the incredible impact that the Christian lifestyle and message had on the Roman Empire. Whenever the Gospel was proclaimed in the power of the Spirit there was either a Revival or a riot! Indifference was impossible to such a radical message and such an invincible power (Roman 15:18-19).
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are you dissatisfied
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            with your present spiritual experience? Are you frustrated by the inroads that the world and the flesh have made into the church? Do you long to see Christians making a greater impact on society? Is it a burden of your heart that the evangelisation and discipleship of the whole world in this generation becomes a reality?
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            If you determine to stop quenching and resisting the Holy Spirit and humble yourself and pray and seek His face and turn from your wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14); if you seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness with a thirsty heart (John 7:37-38), then as you ask, seek and knock, God promises to fill you (Luke 11:9-13) with supernatural power from above and vibrant spiritual vitality and life. God promises. He assures us (Matthew 5:6). He stakes the honour of His Name (John 14:16) on these promises, stating that as we fulfil the simple conditions, He will work miracles and endue us with
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           power
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            from on high (Luke 24:49).
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            What, then, do we need in order to turn this world upside down, right side up, back to God? What is needed for us to reclaim the nations for Christ?
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            Well, firstly we need dedicated Christian disciples whole-heartedly committed to Christ (Acts 20:24) and freed from the chains of sin, selfishness and worldliness (Hebrews 12:1). We need Christians filled with the Holy Spirit.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            Secondly, we need these Christians to be able to be led by the Spirit into God’s will (Romans 8:14) to do and to say the right things, at the right time, to the right people, in the right place.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God gives the very best to those who leave the choice to Him
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            . For God’s master strategy of freeing this world from satan and turning it to Christ, we need Christians Master controlled so as to know the most appropriate word or effective action to do or to say to the most prepared person, at the most crucial time, for the greatest effect and the best results (Romans 12:1-2). We need Christians led by the Spirit!
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            Thirdly, we need Christians who will pray in the power of the Spirit (Jude 20). God acts in answer to prayer and if we do not pray then we cannot expect God to act. Prayer releases the power of God. The only foundation for spiritual work is prayer. Prayer is our priority.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayerful life is always a powerful life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            A prayerless life is always a powerless life. Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer, except that which is beyond the will of God. When we pray in the Spirit (John 15:7) then we are releasing the greatest power in the universe. The Church needs Christians who will pray in the Spirit.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            Fourthly, we need Christians endued with supernatural power to win the spiritual war at present raging (Acts 1:8). There are far too many of our friends, families and churches that are being undermined, chained and crippled by the forces of evil (2 Corinthians 4:4). The time has come to rise up and go out in the power of God’s Spirit and annihilate wickedness and worldliness. We must set the prisoners free (Isaiah 61:1). We must win the victory (Romans 8:37). We must win our world for Jesus (1 John 5:4) and in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the Name of Jesus we shall, we must, we will prevail.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            In order to set free the prisoners of sin and satan the Lord has given believers power to bind evil (Matthew 12:19). We can restrict, limit and oppose the powers of rebellion, doubt, unbelief, sin, perversion, slavery and hatred (Matthew 18:18). We have power to overcome the gates of hell, to storm the very strongholds of evil (Matthew 16:18-19) and to set the prisoners free (Luke 11:22). To announce liberty to the captive (Luke 4:18). As the Lord Himself declared: “
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I have given you authority so that you can walk on snakes and scorpions and overcome all the power of the enemy and nothing will hurt you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ” Luke 10:19
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even the demons must obey us when we give them a command in Jesus Name (Luke 10:17; Acts 16:18; Mark 16:17). This is because, as we place ourselves in submission to the power of God, we are able to resist the lesser power of the enemy (James 4:7).“
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Greater is Him who is in us, than him who is in the world
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            .” 1 John 4:4
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            The Church of Jesus Christ needs dedicated Christ centred, Bible based, prayerful Christians endued with God’s supernatural power in order to win this spiritual world war and turn people back to God.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            As John Wesley said: “Give me one hundred men who love God with all their hearts and who fear no one but God and who hate nothing but sin and I will change the world.”
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            We need:
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            Christians who will love God with all their hearts (Mark 12:30).
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            Christians who fear no one but God (2 Timothy 1:7).
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            Christians who hate sin (Proverbs 8:13).
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            Christians who will make an impact on this world (Acts 19:6).
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            This is what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), for to be filled with God’s Spirit is to be filled with the very nature of God (Ephesians 3:19) which is to be filled with Christ (Colossians 2:9, 10), which is to be filled with love, wisdom and knowledge (Ephesians 3:17-19). They are synonymous and inseparable. To be filled with God’s power (Acts 1:8) is to be filled with His love, knowledge and wisdom (Romans 5:5) and the power of that love and wisdom of Christ’s Holy Spirit shows itself in dynamic action, that moves the world, back to God.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            The mark of a Christian is love (John 13:15).
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            The mark of love is
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           action
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            (1 John 3:18).
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            He is able to do far more abundantly above all we could ask, or think, or dream of, by the power of His love working in us (Ephesians 3:20).
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit!
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How do we receive the fullness of power in our lives?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            The Spirit of God is received through the Word of God. As we expose ourselves to the Word of God, as we submit to its authority, we open ourselves to the powerful working of God’s Spirit who works through the Word of God (Galatians 3:2).
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            As we submit ourselves to the Word of God (James 1:21), we open ourselves to the work of God’s Spirit (John 16:13).
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            The Bible teaches us that the Holy Spirit fills clean vessels in response to surrender and faith.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            It is the Word of God that
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           cleanses
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            us (John 15:3).
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            The Word of God imparts and builds up
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            within us (Romans 10:17).
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            The Word of God accomplishes the purposes of God (Isaiah 55:11).
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            That is why 1 Thessalonians 2:13 teaches us that God is at work in them who believe and receive God’s Word in faith.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            As we
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           surrender
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            to the Son of God we will receive
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            from the Word of God (Galatians 3:14).
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            We will find that the more we get into the Word of God, the more the God of the Word gets into us.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            To summarise: As we accept, believe and submit to the Word of God, we simultaneously receive cleansing from the Word and the infilling of Faith which leads to the fullness of God’s Holy Spirit. The more we are filled with and under the influence and control of the Bible, the more we are filled with the Spirit, coming more and more under His influence and control (Galatians 5:25).
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        
            Now, this infilling is both a process and a crisis. You are responsible for the process of being continually filled with God’s Spirit, by continually receiving and applying God’s Word. “
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in His Law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .” Psalm 1:2-3
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           God will respond at times with a crisis, where you have a spiritual encounter and experience with God’s Holy Spirit in order to prepare you either for some work or some hardships, some task or some responsibility by doing a work within you, renewing your minds, effecting inner healing, preparing you for ministry, endowing you with a gift, empowering you for witness, anointing you in worship or in prayer, or calling you for some task.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           This could be called the overflowing of God’s Spirit. When you are faithful to the process of being filled with God’s Spirit you will find time and again occasions when the Spirit overflows from within you (John 7:38).
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The fruit (or evidences) that this fullness of the Spirit produces is to be seen in any life surrendered to God and thirsty for His Word. It is real love, overflowing joy, deep peace of mind and heart, exceptional patience, real kindness, true goodness, invincible faithfulness, genuine humility and great self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus said that we will know a person by his fruit (Matthew 12:33). The Spirit shows His presence through love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Love is seen through actions. These actions are the type that make an impact that change our world and accomplish God’s will.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Christian filled with God’s Word is filled with faith and love and power. Such a Christian is able to be directed and guided by God into His perfect will to accomplish His mighty purposes. Such a believer who is filled with God’s Word finds that as he prays sincerely from his heart (John 16:24), according to the Scriptures cherished in his mind, he has a vital contact with and union in Christ. “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you abide in Me and My Words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .” John 15:7
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           As the will of God - as revealed in the Scriptures and the desires of the Christian - as transformed by the Scriptures (Romans 12:2) meet and harmonise together they make combined contact with God’s prayer answering power and God’s purposes are accomplished. “‘
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of Hosts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ” Zechariah 4:6
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is spiritual dynamite! Actually, this is spiritual nitro-glycerine! This is praying in the Spirit! It releases that mighty power of God that is needed to transform our lives and change our world.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fire, Wind and Water
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Three of the greatest natural forces in the world are fire, wind and water. These three forces reveal something of the power of the Creator. On the Day of Pentecost, the fire of God, the wind of the Holy Spirit and the living waters of Jesus Christ moved in great power and the Church was born.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Search Your Heart
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you know what it is to have the fire of God's Word burn within you? Do you what it is to have the wind of the Holy Spirit lead and guide you? Do the living waters of Christ flow from your heart?
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Power for living, power for guidance, power for prayer, power for missions. Your world needs this power. Your church needs this power. You need this power. “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .” Colossians 3:16
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be filled with the Spirit
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           …” Ephesians 5:18
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray without ceasing
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           …” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Go ye therefore
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           …” Matthew 28:19
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ” Ephesians 3:17-21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.home.blog/2022/01/24/a-macedonian-call-to-world-changers/#:~:text=sent%20spiritual%20Revival.-,Dr.%20Peter%20Hammond,-Share%20this%3A" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dr. Peter Hammond
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 04 Jun 2022 05:03:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/supernatural-power-for-world-missions</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SUPERNATURAL+POWER+for+WORLD+MISSIONS+Dr+Peter+Hammond+Blog+post.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-2-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-2-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-2-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reforming Worship
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the winter of 1959, Lutheran theologian Hermann Sasse wrote a piece entitled, “Liturgy and Confession: a Brotherly Warning Against the ‘High Church’ Danger.” In the context of the twentieth century, Sasse identified an effort to unite Christians through a return to the liturgy of the early church. During this period, substantial liturgical reforms were undertaken among Lutherans in particular, and this meant a wholesale reconsideration of the Lutheran liturgical heritage, the reforms of the mass by Luther, and the theology of worship. In the twentieth century, Lutherans were sometimes caught praying the Roman “Hail Mary” and the eucharistic prayers asking God to receive the church’s sacrifice of the body and blood of Christ. They were heard calling down the Holy Spirit to consecrate the elements with an Eastern Orthodox epiclesis. Sometimes they would offer prayers for the dead as in the Roman mass. Lutheran pastors were seen donning more elaborate vestments and adding a greater solemnity and reverence with gestures and actions originating in Anglicanism. Sasse questions the motivation behind this massive surge in re-forming the liturgy. Is it reason enough for our practice today that the early church said particular words, made particular gestures, or prayed certain prayers? Is it reason enough for our practice today that many or even most Christians share a particular form of worship? Is it reason enough for forsaking Luther and the Lutheran tradition in order to achieve greater outward unity?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sasse’s answer, I think, ought to be a guiding light for us as we consider how we worship today. Sasse argues that the task of the church is to “confess,” to “speak back to God what he has said.” As such, confession takes three forms: the confession of sins, the confession of faith, and the confession of praise. All three find their home in the church and one cannot be found without the others. Because God has addressed his church with the word, the church is bound to speak back to God and she does this by acknowledging her sin, confessing God’s mercy, and singing her Lord’s praise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The church has long recognized the relationship between these three with the aphorism, “Lex orandi, lex credendi” – which can be understood as “right prayer expresses itself in right belief.” But Sasse claims with Pope Pius XII that the inverse is and must also be true, “Lex credendi, lex orandi” or “right belief expresses itself in right prayer.” In other words,the relationship between faith and prayer or belief and worship is mutual. Faith produces prayer and prayer expresses faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Because of this relationship, when it comes to the way we worship, Sasse argues that if we are going to reshape or reform our liturgy or worship practice, a reformation in what we believe is also necessary. It is not enough to simply look into history and discover the practices of early churches and repristinate them for the modern world. Historical inquiry only acknowledges half the equation: how the early church prayed or how people pray today. We also have to ask what was believed and what is confessed by the church through any particular worship practice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An illuminating example of this is the confession of Luther in the Smalcald Articles, which forms a sort of theological last will and testament for Luther. Of special note is Article II, concerning the office and work of Christ, where Luther lays out the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone. This teaching he calls the article upon which “stands all that we teach and practice” and if there is any concession on justification, “everything is lost…” (SA II.1.5). Immediately following this, Luther writes against the mass as the “greatest and most terrible abomination…” (SA II.2.1) because it contradicts the chief article concerning the work of Christ. The Roman form of worship (prayer) cannot be tolerated because it stands against the article on justification (belief). It makes the worship service about man’s sacrifice to God instead of God’s gift to mankind. The language that Luther consistently uses is that it makes the Divine Service a sacrifice (sacrificium) instead of a gift or sacrament (sacramentum). In this we see that justification and worship are one flesh and what God has joined, the papacy has sundered.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This sundering of the relationship between justification and worship tends to be the single greatest error when we gather to discuss or reform worship. For Luther, worship is not chiefly about us but “for us.” It is the space and time where God is calling, gathering, enlightening, and sanctifying his people through the gospel (SC II.3). Worship is for receiving the goods of the gospel, for reading, hearing, and chewing on the word of God. It is to “put aside the work you do // so that God may work in you” (LSB 581, stanza 4). The article on justification is not simply the most important article, it is the basis and boundary of the church’s theological reflection, its faith and practice. It ought to norm not only what we confess, but how we worship. In light of this, the questions of history, modernity, tradition, unity, relevance, and catholicity are all secondary to the question of the gospel. Is Christ being delivered, is Christ the center, are his gifts being received, and is he alone being glorified?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many modern liturgical reforms – whether they seek to make worship more modern or more ancient – fail to seriously consider these questions. Between reverence and relevance, traditional and contemporary, awe and entertainment, the ability to rightly judge worship has largely been lost. Sasse concludes by noting that Luther was such a great reformer of the liturgy because he possessed the measure on which it could be judged, namely, “the holy Gospel, the saving message of the justification of the sinner by faith alone… on this article depends not only our salvation, but also the church and the liturgy of the true church.” As such, for Sasse all our work in the liturgy ought to begin and end with the prayer of Luther, “Lord keep us steadfast in your Word.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/reforming-worship" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/reforming-worship
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jun 2022 23:33:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-2-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>KYFITT (Keep Your Finger in the Text) LIVE Report with Bill Adams</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kyfitt-keep-your-finger-in-the-text-live-report-with-bill-adams</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you feel called to preach Christ and reach the lost?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/June+2+Bill+Adams+Heath+KYFITT+FB+LIVES.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch this KYFITT FB Live report talking about the George Whitefield Program (GWP) Summer Fellowship Conference with Heath Pucel and special guest, Bill Adams. You will enjoy hearing about the different roles of pastors, teachers, and evangelists and learning more about the GWP.  They also answer the question about "What is the point of your message?" when having an argument with biblical context.  And much more...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” - Acts 6:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            GWP provides administrative support and training so you can preach the Gospel in the highways and hedges. GWP is June 20-24, 2022 in Birchwood, TN.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            More details:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/George-Whitefield-Program-Fellowship-Conference
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/KeepYourFingerintheText
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jun 2022 21:23:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kyfitt-keep-your-finger-in-the-text-live-report-with-bill-adams</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/June+2+Bill+Adams+Heath+KYFITT+FB+LIVES.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 6-1-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-1-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 6-1-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pentecost - the Helper and Hope...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With disturbing events in the world such as the invasion of Ukraine and the shooting at the school in Uvalde, Texas, we feel the pain of the suffering and wonder where we can find help.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the beginning of John chapter 14 a dark cloud was hanging over Jesus’ disciples. For three years they had been with him and had come to believe he is God’s Son. All their hopes were focused on what they felt would be his victory over the powers of evil and injustice in the world. But now he was telling them that within a matter of hours he was going away. ‘Where are you going?’ they asked. ‘Can’t we come too?’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And Philip, one of the disciples said, ‘Lord show us the Father. That’s all we need’ (John 14:8). He wanted some tangible experience of God to sweep away his doubts and provide hope for the future.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God with Us. We would not have been surprised if Jesus had said, ‘Don’t be so silly, Philip. You’re asking the impossible: everyone knows God is invisible’. But consider Jesus’ response: ‘Don’t you know me Philip, even after I’ve been among you for such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father’ (John 14:9).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To know Jesus is to know the living God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We can only imagine how Philip and the others would have reacted. They believed there is only one God who created and controls the entire universe. Yet Jesus is saying that knowing him is the same as knowing the Creator.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves’, Jesus continues (14:11). ‘You’ve seen me turn water into first-class wine, cure a twelve-year old boy at a distance, enable a man paralyzed for thirty-eight years to walk, provide food for thousands at a word, heal a man blind from birth, and even bring another man back to life.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ life is the picture that tells a thousand words about God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Greater Works. ‘Very truly, I tell you,’ Jesus says, ‘the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father’ (John 14:12).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No-one today is performing miracles in the same way Jesus did two millennia ago. If they were, the media would let us know in nanoseconds. The greater works of which Jesus speaks are something more than the healing of physical and mental ailments.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John’s Gospel records times when Jesus lifted people’s understanding of life beyond their felt needs. Initiating a conversation with a woman at a well in Samaria, he spoke of the living water he offers, springing up into eternal life (4:7-15). And in an ensuing conversation with a man born blind whom he had healed, he introduced himself as the Son of God, to which the man responded, ‘Lord, I believe’ (9:35-39).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John’s Gospel begins by introducing the Word who is with God and is God. He is the source of light and life (John 1:1-4). John testifies to the reality that the Word became flesh, living amongst us as one of us (John 1:14). He goes on to record seven signs which point to Jesus’ divine nature. Furthermore, the Word, the Son of God, the man Jesus, spoke of the day when he would be lifted up – that is, his crucifixion (John 3:14f, 12:31-33). Everyone who turns to him will find forgiveness and new life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Significantly, John draws together the essential purpose of Jesus’ life amongst us: These things are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name (John 20:31).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Given the movement of John’s Gospel, the greater works of which Jesus spoke is the ministry of the disciples and subsequent generations in taking God’s good news to the world and the changes that would ensue – lives being transformed and consequently, compassion and care for the needy, education and higher standards of justice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Helper and Hope. ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments,’ Jesus continues, ‘and I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you…’ (14:15-17).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From John 14:15 through John 16, Jesus promises he would not leave his disciples, or his people through the ages, without divine help.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For many people, Christianity is little more than a moral code they must struggle to observe, or a creed they must mindlessly recite. For them, Christianity is legalistic and dull. But Jesus is saying, ‘I want you to understand that the faith of which I speak, in its deepest essence, is about a relationship, a relationship with the triune God – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. When you know me, you will know the Father, and have our Spirit living within you’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, Jesus explains, ‘the Spirit will enable you (the disciples) to remember and explain all I taught and did’ (14:25). These words have a secondary application for all God’s people – enabling us to understand God’s Word and, because the Spirit is present within us, to apply it to the decisions we make and the words we utter.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth,’ Jesus says. When we know Jesus, the Holy Spirit provides us with the help and strength, the wisdom, the words, and the hope we need in a world where bad things happen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty God, who taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit: enable us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things and always to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/pentecost-the-helper-and-hope/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/pentecost-the-helper-and-hope/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jun 2022 21:52:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-6-1-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kentucky Derby '22 Outreach Game Summary - Jeremy Johnson</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-jeremy-johnson</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 27 labors for the Derby Outreach!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jeremy+Johnson+preaching+Live+Ken+Derby+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeremy Johnson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preaching at Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jun 2022 02:36:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-jeremy-johnson</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jeremy+Johnson+preaching+Live+Ken+Derby+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-31-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-31-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-31-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Law of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In giving a summary of what constitutes the true knowledge of God, we showed that we cannot form any just conception of the character of God, without feeling overawed by His majesty, and bound to do Him service. —John Calvin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yesterday, a man I met for the first time asked me, “And what is the Lord doing in your life?” (Something about how he asked the question, the tone of his voice, and his manner in it disturbed me.) The manner of asking was a bit too casual, as if the utterance was mechanical. I suppressed my annoyance and answered as if the question were sincere. I said, “He is impressing upon me the beauty and sweetness of His law.” The man obviously was not prepared for my answer. He looked at me as though I was from another planet. He visibly recoiled from my words as if I was weird for uttering them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are living in an era in which the law of God is not given much attention either by secularists or by Christians. The law, we assume, is a relic of the past, part of the history of Judaeo-Christianity to be sure, but of no abiding relevance to the Christian life. We are living out, in practice, the antinomian heresy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A recent survey by George Gallup Jr. revealed a startling trend in our culture. According to Gallup the evidence seems to indicate that there are not clear behavioral patterns that distinguish Christians from non- Christians in our society. We all seem to be marching to the same drummer, looking to the shifting standards of contemporary culture for the basis of what is acceptable conduct. What everybody else is doing seems to be our only ethical norm.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This pattern can only emerge in a society or a church wherein the law of God is eclipsed. The very word law seems to have an unpleasant ring to it in our evangelical circles.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let’s try an experiment. I’m going to cite a few passages from 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Psalm%20119/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 119
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            for our reflection. I’m asking that you read them existentially in the sense that you try to crawl into the skin of the writer and experience empathy. Try to feel what he felt when he wrote these lines thousands of years ago:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%20119%3A97/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 119:97
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%20119%3A111%E2%80%93112/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 119:111–112
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for Your commandments (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%20119%3A131/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 119:131
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Trouble and anguish have overtaken me. Yet Your commandments are my delights (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%20119%3A143/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 119:143
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Does this sound like a modern Christian? Do we hear people talk about longing passionately for the law of God? Do we hear our friends expressing joy and delight in God’s commandments?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These sentiments are foreign to our culture. Some will surely say, “But that is Old Testament stuff. We’ve been redeemed from the law, now our focus is on the Gospel, not the law.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let’s continue the experiment. Let’s read some excerpts from another biblical writer, only this time from the New Testament. Let’s hear from a man who loved the Gospel, preached it, and taught it as much as any mortal. Let’s hear from Paul:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%207%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 7:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through law (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%207%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 7:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%207%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 7:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           • For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%207%3A22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 7:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Does this sound like a man who believed the law of God has no place in the Christian life? Read Paul carefully and you will find a man whose heart longed for the law of God as much as David’s.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Church history witnesses that at periods of revival and reformation there has been a profound awakening to the sweetness of God’s law that can easily degenerate into legalism, which usually provokes a response of antinomianism. Neither is biblical. The law drives us to the Gospel. The Gospel saves us from the curse of the law but in turn directs us back to the law to search its spirit, its goodness and its beauty. The law of God is still a lamp unto our feet. Without it we stumble and trip and grope in darkness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For the Christian the greatest benefit of the law of God is its revelatory character. The law reveals to us the Law-Giver. It teaches us what is pleasing in His sight. We need to seek the law of God—to pant after it—to delight in it. Anything less is an offense against the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/the-law-of-god" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/the-law-of-god
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 31 May 2022 22:38:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-31-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kentucky Derby '22 Outreach Game Summary - Day 2</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-day-2</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 27 labors for the Derby Outreach!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Open+Air+Ministry+Day+2+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/OAMPhilly/?__cft__[0]=AZVKCcTUuXzKUghxS-IjritrqIdFtVp-NgTGbQpOL4GUvCsLBza2z6penUtjb5oJpUyF80Qr-Pktj0kVel43NIkc7U1-ICfGlIl9qt09C94pCDvqYe7sgjKD9AgJtsXsk09JthGtaQ81NrLXlorOvGBQ&amp;amp;__tn__=-UC%2CP-y-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open Air Ministries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we begin day two a proclaiming Jesus Christ at the Kentucky Derby.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Day+2+Open+Air+Ministries+Kentucky+Derby+Outreach-3cd18fce.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 31 May 2022 20:52:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-day-2</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Open+Air+Ministry+Day+2+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-30-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-30-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-30-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Deep Cost of Sin
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           … So that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Romans%206:6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Romans 6:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christian, why would you play with sin? Has it not cost you enough already? Burnt child, will you play with the fire? What! When you have already been between the jaws of the lion, will you step a second time into his den? Have you not had enough of the old serpent? Did he not poison all your veins once, and will you play at the cobra’s den and put your hand in the dragon’s lair a second time?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do not be not so mad, so foolish! Did sin ever yield you real pleasure? Did you find solid satisfaction in it? If so, go back to your old drudgery, and wear the chain again, if it delights you. But inasmuch as sin never gave you what it promised to bestow but deluded you with lies, do not be snared by the old fowler: Be free, and let the memory of your enslavement prevent you from entering the net again!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is contrary to the designs of eternal love, which are all focused on your purity and holiness; therefore do not run counter to the purposes of your Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another thought should restrain you from sin. Christians can never sin cheaply; they pay a heavy price for iniquity. Transgression destroys peace of mind, obscures fellowship with Jesus, hinders prayer, brings darkness over the soul; therefore do not be the serf and slave of sin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is still a higher argument: Each time you serve sin you are “crucifying once again the Son of God … and holding him up to contempt.”1 Can you bear that thought? If you have fallen into any special sin during this day, it may be that my Master has sent this admonition this evening to bring you back before you have wandered very far. Turn to Jesus afresh. He has not forgotten His love for you; His grace is still the same. With weeping and repentance, come to His footstool, and you shall be reunited in His love; you will be set upon a rock again, and your goings shall be established.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Hebrews 6:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 30 May 2022 23:01:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-30-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-27-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-27-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-27-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Humbling Impact of Grace
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/2%20Samuel%209:8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            2 Samuel 9:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If Mephibosheth was humbled by David’s kindness, what shall we be in the presence of our gracious Lord? The more grace we have, the less we shall think of ourselves, for grace, like light, reveals our impurity. Eminent saints have scarcely known what to compare themselves to, their sense of unworthiness has been so clear and keen. “I am,” says the godly Rutherford, “a dry and withered branch, a piece of dead carcass, dry bones, and not able to step over a straw.” In another place he writes, “Apart from their open outbursts, I am too much like Judas and Cain.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The meanest objects in nature appear to the humbled mind to have a preference above itself, because they have never contracted sin: A dog may be greedy, fierce, or filthy, but it has no conscience to violate, no Holy Spirit to resist. A dog may appear to be worthless, and yet by a little kindness it is soon won to love its master and is faithful to death; but we forget the goodness of the Lord and do not follow His call. The term dead dog is the most expressive of all terms of contempt, but it is not too strong to express the self-abhorrence of well-taught believers. They do not display false modesty; they mean what they say; they have weighed themselves in the balances of the sanctuary and discovered the vanity of their nature.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At best we are but clay, animated dust; but viewed as sinners, we are monsters indeed. Let it be published in heaven as a miracle that the Lord Jesus should set His heart’s love upon people like us. Dust and ashes though we be, we must and will magnify the exceeding greatness of His grace. Could His heart not find rest in heaven? Does He need to come to these tents for a spouse and choose a bride from the children of men? Let the heavens and earth break forth into song and give all the glory to our sweet Lord Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 27 May 2022 13:31:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-27-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>REVIVING the PRAYER MEETING</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/reviving-the-prayer-meeting</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Prayerlessness is a root sin. God acts in answered prayer.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/REVIVING+the+PRAYER+MEETING+Dr+Peter+Hammond+Blog+post.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “We shall never see much change for the better in our churches in general until the prayer meeting occupies a higher place in the esteem of Christians.” wrote Charles Spurgeon in “Only A Prayer Meeting.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The regular meeting of members of a congregation for the express purpose of uniting in earnest prayer is becoming rare in the average church. Many churches no longer even schedule prayer meetings and in those churches that do, typically less than 10% of the members would participate.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           In all too many churches, prayer meetings have become dull, cold and lifeless, lacking in Biblical focus and missionary purpose.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Barometer of Our Spiritual Life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Erroll Hulse, in “The Vital Place of the Prayer Meeting” writes: “You can tell with a fair degree of accuracy what the church is like by the demeanour or substance of the weekly prayer meeting. Is there genuine evangelistic concern? If so, it will be expressed in the prayers. Is there a heartfelt longing for the conversion of unconverted family members? If so, that is sure to surface. Is there a world vision and a fervent desire for Revival and the Glory of our Redeemer among the nations of the world? Such a burden cannot be suppressed…Intercession in the prayer meeting will soon reveal a loving church that cares for those who are oppressed and weighed down with trials and burdens. Those bearing trials too painful or personal to be described in public will nevertheless find comfort in the prayer meeting, for there the Holy Spirit is especially at work.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew Henry wrote: “When God designs mercy, He stirs up prayer.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peter Masters in “The Power of the Prayer Meeting” writes: “In the prayer gathering preoccupation with ourselves as individual believers slips away and we become a group of people longing for the blessing of others and for the prospering of the cause. In the prayer gathering we are refined and honed… It cements unions and promotes respect… the church that prays together, stays together.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jonathan Edwards in: “A Call to United, Extraordinary Prayer” writes: “Prayerfulness is the natural response of a heart that is fully caught up in all Christ is to us and for us, over us and within us, through us and before us and upon us. Christ defines our agenda in prayer. Christ opens up the door to Heaven to present our prayers…Christ is the ultimate answer to all our prayers.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jonathan Edwards also encouraged children’s prayer meetings: “God, in His Word, has shown a remarkable regard to little children. Never was there such a glorious work amongst persons in their childhood…He has been pleased and in a wonderful manner, to perfect praise out the mouths of babes and sucklings; and many of them have more of that knowledge and wisdom that please Him and rendered their religious worship acceptable, than many of the great and learned men of the world….”
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord Jesus promised: “If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in Heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there am I in the midst of them.”Matthew 18:19-20
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Before the Day of Pentecost, the disciples “all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication…” Acts 1:14. After Pentecost, the disciples continued steadfastly “in the Apostle’s Doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers.”Acts 2:42
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           When the church was afflicted by fierce persecution, “they raised their voice to God with one accord…” Acts 4:24
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first church in Europe was born in a women’s prayer meeting (Acts 16:13-15). When Paul and Silas were arrested, they held a midnight prayer meeting in jail (Acts 16:22-26).
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           During the time of the Reformation, churches often held daily services for preaching and prayer, every morning and every evening. During the severe persecution in Sudan, many churches held daily prayer meetings, each morning and evening. Some of the fastest church growth has taken place in South Korea where most church members consistently participate in early morning prayer meetings, daily.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           “If it is true that the kind of piety in a church rises no higher than it manifests itself in a prayer meeting, so that here, has one a barometer. All changes in spiritual life are faithfully recorded, then certainly too much attention cannot be given, by both the pastor and people, to the conducting of the prayer meeting.” (Lewis Thompson “The Prayer Meeting and Its Improvement” 1878).
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Revivals Begin in Prayer Meetings
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Those who conscientiously and habitually participate in prayer meetings “experience more sweet and pure delight in the very exercise…grow more rapidly and steadily in grace… become the most devotional, active and useful Christians… and become the life and soul, as it were, of the church.” (Edwin Hatfield “The Social Prayer Meeting” 1844).
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dr. Joel Beeke in “Attending Prayer Meetings” challenges: “If every God fearing family, in every God honouring church around the world took the congregational prayer meeting seriously, what impact would that have around the globe? I believe that Scripture and Church history teaches us that the future of our children, our family, our church and our nations depends on God’s people storming the mercy seat together. Prayer is the normal means that God uses to shower His Heavenly blessings upon the earth…. We customarily record our appointments on our calendar. Will you not mark your church prayer meetings on your calendar as engagements of the highest priority for your entire family? Will you not prepare for them and try to bring a friend or two with you? Let us treasure prayer meetings. Let us engage in it with all our heart, remembering that Revivals usually begin with prayer meetings.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayerlessness is a root sin. God acts in answered prayer. Prayer is the price of spiritual success. Prayer is to the soul what breathing is to the body. If you are too busy to pray then you are busier than God wants you to be. There is nothing beyond the reach of prayer, except that which is outside of the Will of God.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “For this reason I bow on my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to His power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Ephesians 3:14-21
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.home.blog/2022/01/24/a-macedonian-call-to-world-changers/#:~:text=sent%20spiritual%20Revival.-,Dr.%20Peter%20Hammond,-Share%20this%3A" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dr. Peter Hammond
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 May 2022 16:14:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/reviving-the-prayer-meeting</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/REVIVING+the+PRAYER+MEETING+Dr+Peter+Hammond+Blog+post.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-26-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-26-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-26-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stay With Us
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They did not know who he was while walking and conversing with him. At first, he seemed to be a stranger out of touch with recent events. However, as they talked, this peculiar stranger took them on a journey through the Old Testament. Their uninvited guest walked with them, opening their eyes to see the entirety of the Scriptures was about one person – himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As they approached their destination, they begged the friendly stranger, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2024%3A29/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 24:29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). So, Jesus obliged. As they settled into their lodging, they sat down to eat. “When [Jesus] was at table with them he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2024%3A30-31/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 24:30-31
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The disciples on the road to Emmaus had traveled with the risen Lord that first Easter morning. Their eyes were opened to see Christ in all of the Scriptures. And, just like that, as soon as they recognized their Lord, Jesus hid himself from their sight.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the book of Acts, Luke tells us that Jesus appeared to the apostles for forty days after the resurrection before his ascension. In those forty days, Jesus continually taught his disciples how to read the Bible. Through the law and the prophets, he explained that everything in Scripture points to himself. And, because the entirety of Scripture points to Jesus, the entirety of Scripture proclaims the forgiveness of sins for you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke follows the Emmaus event with a similar narrative, concluding his Gospel account. Jesus is found again with his disciples opening their minds to explain how the law, prophets, and psalms all speak of him. Jesus explains to his beloved disciples the purpose for which the Scriptures must be fulfilled, “that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2024%3A47/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 24:47
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And, just like that, as soon as their eyes were opened and Jesus was blessing his disciples, he was hidden from their sight.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today is the day on which the church celebrates this very event, the ascension of our Lord. Ascension Day is not a day in which we bid farewell to Jesus as he is taken from us to dwell in a far-off heavenly place. Ascension Day is not a going away party for Jesus. Ascension Day is about Jesus, our triumphant and resurrected Lord, who ascends to be seated at the right hand of God so that he may be near to us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus teaches his disciples where he is to be found. Jesus is not far off. He promised, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matt.%2028%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 28:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The ascension of our Lord does not mean Jesus has left us, but, as the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians, “[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Eph.%202%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 2:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Jesus is hidden from our eyes, but we know where Jesus can be found, where Jesus has promised to be for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We see Jesus with the ears of faith given to us by the Holy Spirit. In the waters of Holy Baptism, Jesus unites us to himself and seats us with himself in the heavenly places (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Eph.%202%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 2:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Jesus’ ascension means we will ascend with him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The author of the book of Hebrews writes, “We have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Heb.%208%3A1-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 8:1-2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). As our great high priest, Jesus intercedes for us with his own holy and precious blood, which he shed for us for our sin. In the Lord’s Supper, Jesus promised to be for us in his giving to us to eat and drink his very body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through the ears of faith, we hear the words of Christ in the words of absolution spoken to us by our pastors. Our ascended High Priest advocates for us and comforts us with the assurance of sins forgiven. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords seated in power at the right hand of God intercedes for us, his beloved redeemed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Just as the disciples on the road to Emmaus recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread, so we, through the working of the Holy Spirit, recognize our Lord in the Word and Sacraments. Though he is hidden from our eyes, we pray with the words of the disciples on the Emmaus road, “Stay with us.” And Jesus does. He promised.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/stay-with-us" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/stay-with-us
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 May 2022 12:09:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-26-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-25-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-25-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-25-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What, Me...?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Over the last twenty years or so God’s people have been increasingly put on the defensive about their faith. In a climate where people of faith are dismissed as intellectually inept, many are fearful of speaking up about what they believe.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come with me to a very important scene that occurred on the day Jesus rose from the dead, recorded by John the Gospel writer (John 20:19-23). That Sunday evening, the first day of the week, Jesus suddenly stood in the midst of his disciples. John doesn’t explain how Jesus came to be there. He simply records, Jesus stood.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Last time the disciples had seen him, he was wounded and bleeding, wracked with pain, dying on a cross. When they had seen a spear thrust in Jesus’ side and the fluid that had flowed, they knew he was truly dead. Yet here he was, not weak and limp, but tall and erect, standing, speaking the very words he had uttered at the Passover meal, ‘Peace be with you’. And to prove he was physically alive and not a ghost, significantly he showed them his hands and his side.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bewildered and confused though they doubtless were, they knew, utterly amazing miracle though it was, that Jesus was truly alive again. ‘Peace be with you’, he repeated. At the Passover meal he had promised, ‘My peace I leave with you… Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Believe in me’ (John 14:27). In a world of turmoil and injustice, the peace he held out to his followers had not been meaningless comfort. His resurrection was now proof of that.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Overjoyed, they still couldn’t fully grasp what was happening. It was so surreal it was like a dream. But then, as GK Chesterton once rightly observed, Truth is stranger than fiction.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Commission: ‘As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you…’ (20:21). These were challenging words to men who moments before were bewildered and fearful.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More than once they had heard Jesus say, ‘As the Father has sent me…’ But now he was drawing them into this work as well. ‘What, me …?’ they may have immediately thought. He was giving them a job to do: ‘As I was sent, so now I am sending you…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus had been sent to speak God’s words in person to the world. Supremely he had been sent to be lifted up on a cross at Calvary to rescue humanity (John 12:32). Now, he was sending his disciples and, in turn his people, to announce his life-giving news to the world. But they would not be alone. They need not be fearful. They would experience the peace of Christ at every twist and turn along the way.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Gift. And, with this commission John tells us, Jesus breathed and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven, if they are retained they are retained’ (20:22).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are two very different interpretations of Jesus’ words here. The Roman Catholic Church understands they apply only to priests: they alone have the power to forgive sins through the confessional. However, the Protestant church teaches that any Christian can hold out God’s forgiveness by encouraging others to turn to Jesus Christ in repentance, asking for his forgiveness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John’s record of Jesus’ words and actions here is important. We should notice that Thomas wasn’t present, and that John’s Gospel doesn’t record the events of Pentecost and the specific coming of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, it is very significant that the verb, breathed does not have an object – despite many English translations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This indicates that Jesus’ action in giving the Spirit was not just for the disciples, nor just for ministers, but also for all his people throughout time. It suggests that in the same way that God breathed life into all men and women in creation (Genesis 2:7), Jesus, the Word of God, the life-giver (John 1:1-4), now breathes his Spirit, the Spirit of his Father, into the life of all who turn to him. Paul the apostle draws this out when he says, Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him (Romans 8:9b).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To return to sins retained and forgiven. Jesus’ words retained and forgiven are verb forms that indicate decisions with a fixed and final outcome. Further, being in the passive voice, the verbs indicate that it is not humanity, but God, who retains or forgives sin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John’s Gospel announces the news that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, so that anyone who believes in him will have life in his name (John 20:31). This draws together the narrative theme that Jesus was sent to be lifted up for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life for all who believe (John 3:14-15, 12:32, 35-36). People of the first century needed to hear the news – as do all of us in the twenty-first century.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John’s record of Jesus’ resurrected appearance and his promise of peace, his commissioning of his disciples and the gifting of his Spirit, is most important. From the time of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, the disciples had been terrified. Now, he was commissioning them, empowering them with his peace, and equipping them through his Spirit for the task of announcing the good news of God’s offer of forgiveness and with it, life eternal.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is a section we cannot ignore. We all have the wonderful privilege of being sent by Jesus to play our part in announcing his good news. ‘What me…?’ you say. Yes: all of us. Because Jesus is the risen Lord, we have no reason to fear: we have his peace. We also have his Spirit at work within us and at work in the world, unstopping deaf ears, opening blind eyes, and softening hard hearts. Do you really believe this?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We need to pray – for ourselves and for our family and friends. Let me also encourage you to check out TheWord121 – an annotated version of John’s Gospel that anyone can use to introduce others to God’s good news – perhaps over coffee: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.theword121.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           www.TheWord121.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Prayer. O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: do not leave us desolate, but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to where our Savior Christ has gone before, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for evermore. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/what-me/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/what-me/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 May 2022 13:50:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-25-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kentucky Derby '22 Outreach Game Summary - SFOI Live</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-sfoi-live</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 27 labors for the Derby Outreach!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Live+5-16-22+Replay+Kentucky+Derby+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            May 16, 2022 - SFOI Live with
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ken Hisle,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark Yoho
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            , &amp;amp;
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bobby McCreery
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fztpr4bgho"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOILive
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 May 2022 10:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-sfoi-live</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/SFOI+Live+5-16-22+Replay+Kentucky+Derby+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-24-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-24-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-24-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God-Centered Prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is easy to be critical of prayer, particularly the prayers of others. Robert Murray McCheyne’s words are often cited because they remain painfully true: “You wish to humble a man? Ask him about his prayer life.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our prayers reveal much about us. Prayers with little or no worship and focusing on our needs (usually health) reveal a distorted, Adamic bent. What they reveal is self-centeredness, what Martin Luther labeled homo in se incurvatus: “man curved in on himself.” Listen to prayers at the church prayer meeting (if one still exists). You will discover that the majority of prayers are "organ recitals"—prayers for someone’s liver, kidney, or heart. Not that we shouldn’t pray for medical issues, but a preoccupation with health is itself a reflection of how little we understand why it is we desire good health. We desire it so that the person we are praying for lives for Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer is “talking to God” (Graeme Prayer and the Knowledge of God, p. 15.). Sometimes, perhaps too often, the “talk” is all about us. We've all had those annoying conversations that have been entirely one-sided, showing little or no interest in us. It’s all about them—their interests, desires, needs, and complaints. Prayer can get like that: we pour out our woes, become totally self-absorbed, and show no interest in dialogue that involves “listening” to what God has to say. God is patient and, in His grace, He responds. But it shouldn't be like that. When Jesus taught us to pray, He showed us that prayer begins (and continues) with God: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matt.%206%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 6:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Take a look at the structure of the Lord’s Prayer, and it will show you that at least half of our praying should be addressed to the praise and worship of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Person
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many factors influenced Tertullian when he coined the term personae to represent the threeness of God, but he employed this term primarily because the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit “talk” to each other. They relate personally—to each other and to us. In other words, God communicates with Himself and with His people. It stands to reason, therefore, that prayer should consist of personal communion—talking to God with inquisitiveness as to His nature and His desires, and eagerness to learn about the things that please and displease Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first petition of the Lord’s Prayer, among other things, reminds us that there must be a clearheaded focus on our part on who God is and what God is like. Theologians have reflected on how we come to know God and what it is that we know about Him. The answer has often come in this form: we know very little in answer to the question “What is God?” What we do know (because God has revealed it to us) is in answer to the question “What is God like?” God shows us what He is like by revealing to us His name.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our minds, whether consciously or subliminally, are (to use John Calvin’s phrase) “idol factories,” constantly succumbing to “I like to think of God as . . .” formulas, all of which are seriously wrong, conceived by a persistent anti-God bias in our mental, moral, and spiritual systems. To avoid idolatry in prayer, we must begin by reminding ourselves of His name—whether that be God’s covenant name “I AM WHO I AM” or Yahweh (that is, self-existent, self-sustaining, self-determining, everywhere present, and always in control); or, as the Lord's Prayer wonderfully encapsulates, “Father” (expressive of the newness of the new covenant and the access and status to which the work of our Redeemer has introduced us); or, “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” (as Jesus Himself disclosed in the Great Commission of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew%2028%3A19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 28:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). When Jesus commissioned His disciples to baptize in the “name” (singular) of “the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” He revealed the impenetrable truth that there is more than one in the one God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God-centered prayer pauses to reflect on the nature of God, what He is like—His attributes. That, too, is the focus of an account in which God tells Moses His name. The context (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ex.%2034/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 34
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) is the nasty business of the golden calf (man's idol factory at work again). Having cleared up this mess, Moses ascended Sinai again only to be told God’s name once more (Yahweh, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ex.%2034%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 34:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), but now expanded with an explanation of His nature: “The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘ “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.’ ” Grace, mercy, and holiness are attributes that God assigns to Himself—holiness being His moral perfection that responds in retribution to lawlessness and ingratitude. God-centered prayer requires a proper knowledge of God in His Trinitarian glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%20147%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 147:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God is praiseworthy. Getting that fact under our skin is not as easy as we might think. Self-centered praying (which is a form of idolatry) fails to appreciate that our purpose here on earth is to praise our Creator and Redeemer. Listen to the psalmist as he extols the praiseworthiness of God again and again. The Psalter used to be the basic diet for Christians. Christians sang psalms around the dining room table and in church services on Sunday. Subliminally, the God-centered praise of the book of Psalms became the language of prayer. Since psalm-singing has waned, the rich God-exalting praise that the Psalter represents has waned as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           J.I. Packer reminds us of the need to distinguish between praise and thanks, and to ensure that we do both:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayers of thanks focus to some extent on us. We thank God for particular gifts given to us and others personally, and for general gifts bestowed on all. Praise, on the other hand, focuses directly on God. We praise him for who and what he is. It is the difference between a spouse saying to the other, “You are the most understanding person I know; that’s one reason I love you so much” and “Thanks for the sandwich; I needed it” (Praying: Finding Our Way Through Duty to Delight, p. 31).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Presence
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praising God does not come naturally to us. We must be resolute about it. That’s why Jesus warned His disciples in the preface to the Lord’s Prayer about a religious performance more concerned about outward spectacle and ceremony than inward authenticity and true worship. “Hypocrite” is the term Jesus uses (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matt.%206%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 6:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), a term just about as offensive now as it was then. Playacting, pretending to pray, praying without the reality of knowing we are in God’s presence, is a harsh judgment but a true one nevertheless. When we do such things, we are praying to exalt ourselves, not God. It is the self-centeredness that plagues us, that needs to be rooted out and destroyed. Authentic prayer, God-centered prayer, realizes that the promise of prayer is God Himself. Being in the presence of God is the greatest reward of prayer. Godly folk have always relished this:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%2026%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 26:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%2065%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 65:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you know anything of this? If not, pursue Him until you find Him. “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Isa.%2055%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 55:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Practice
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How can we ensure that our prayers are God-centered? Consider the following five-step strategy:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1. Remind yourself that there is only one God in the universe, and that you are not Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2. Adoration comes first, before confession, thanksgiving, or supplication. Worship the Lord in your praying.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           3. Read a psalm before you pray, and attempt to emulate what you find: a preoccupation with God in all His multifaceted nature. Find psalms of joy or grief, praise or lament, and note how the psalmist spends time with God, making Him the center of his thoughts and desires.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           4. Learn to love God’s names so that saying and repeating them fills you with an inexpressible joy, a reminder of who He is and His covenant faithfulness to you in the gospel of His grace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5. Learn to “wait” upon the Lord. Watch how the psalmist, “fainting” as he thinks of his own troubles, finds relief by deliberately focusing on the great things God has done: “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%2077%3A11-12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 77:11-12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/god-centered-prayer" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/god-centered-prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 24 May 2022 13:49:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-24-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-23-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-23-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-23-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Never Grow Stingy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You have not bought me sweet cane with money.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Isaiah%2043:24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Isaiah 43:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Worshipers at the temple were keen to bring presents of sweet perfumes to be burned upon the altar of God. But Israel, in the time of her backsliding, became ungenerous and made fewer offerings to her Lord. This was an evidence of coldness of heart toward God and His house.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Reader, does this never happen with you? Is it not possible that the complaint of this text may occasionally, if not frequently, be brought against you? Those who are poor in pocket, if rich in faith, will be accepted even though their gifts are small; but, poor reader, do you give in fair proportion to the Lord, or is the widow’s mite kept back from the sacred treasury? The rich believer should be thankful for the wealth entrusted to him but should not forget his large responsibility, for where much is given, much will be required.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But, rich reader, are you mindful of your obligations, and is your giving to the Lord proportionate to the benefit you enjoy? Jesus gave His blood for us; what shall we give to Him? We are His, and He has purchased us for Himself—can we act as if we were our own? O for more consecration! O for more love! Blessed Jesus, how good it is of You to accept our sweet cane bought with money! Nothing is too costly as a tribute to Your unrivaled love, and yet You receive with favor the smallest sincere token of affection! You receive our poor forget-me-nots and love-tokens as though they were intrinsically precious, though indeed they are but as the bunch of wild flowers that the child brings to his mother.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let us never grow stingy toward You, and from this hour may we never hear You complain of us again for withholding the gifts of our love. We will give You the firstfruits of our increase and pay You tithes of all, and then we will confess, “of your own have we given you.”1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) 1 Chronicles 29:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 May 2022 17:22:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-23-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-20-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-20-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-20-22
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Run to the Bands of Love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Hosea%2011:4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Hosea 11:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our heavenly Father often leads us with the cords of love; but how slow we are to run toward Him! How reluctantly we respond to His gentle impulses! He leads us to exercise a more simple faith in Him; but we have not yet learned to trust like Abraham. We do not leave our worldly cares with God, but, like Martha, we burden ourselves with much serving. Our meager faith brings leanness to our souls; we do not open our mouths wide, though God has promised to fill them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Does He not this evening lead us to trust Him? Can we not hear Him say, “Come, My child, and trust Me. The curtain is opened; enter into My presence, and come boldly to the throne of My grace. I am worthy of your complete confidence; cast your cares on Me. Shake yourself from the dust of your cares, and put on the garments of joy.” But, sadly though called with tones of love to the blessed exercise of this comforting grace, we will not come.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At another time He leads us to closer communion with Himself. We have been sitting on the doorstep of God’s house, and He invites us into the banqueting hall to eat with Him, but we decline the honor. There are secret rooms not yet opened to us, which Jesus invites us to enter, but we hold back.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Shame on our cold hearts! We are but poor lovers of our sweet Lord Jesus, not fit to be His servants, much less to be His brides, and yet He has exalted us to be bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh, married to Him by a glorious marriage-covenant.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herein is love! But it is a love that takes no denial. If we do not obey the gentle leadings of His love, He will send affliction to drive us into closer intimacy with Himself. He is determined to bring us close to Him. What foolish children we are to refuse those bands of love, and in doing so to bring upon ourselves painful discipline, which He exercises for our good!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 May 2022 14:57:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-20-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kentucky Derby '22 Outreach Game Summary - Tristan Mullane</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-tristan-mullane</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 27 labors for the Derby Outreach!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Tristan+Mullane-+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tristan Mullane
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            : 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ today at the Kentucky Derby with
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org/?__cft__[0]=AZUZEkNriCMZFo102_bAJeyaJwLxsRln0T11-df_b2UPoKyfULPqpYPBuCcZkh7DzoYKUR84zQZy4c-MvtxNmQg-nnRNfpFiOtdXO9oxOtkmr8cx7YXGGGOezoIpxp2tLpEVHgPF7BhuxFW-c8q50t7b&amp;amp;__tn__=kK-y-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           i  Brothers and sisters in Christ pray for us !
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:8-11‬
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 May 2022 02:38:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-tristan-mullane</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Tristan+Mullane-+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kentucky Derby '22 Outreach Game Summary - Sam Harris</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-sam-harris</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 27 labors for the Derby Outreach!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Sam+Harris+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            is in Louisville, Kentucky: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sam Harris
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Open Air Preaching at this year’s Kentucky Derby. “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”Romans‬ ‭1:21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 May 2022 02:31:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-sam-harris</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Sam+Harris+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>NFL Draft '22 Outreach Game Summary - Dave Block</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-22-outreach-game-summary-dave-block</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 10 labors for the NFL Draft '22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Dave+Block+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ministry Report Pics from Dave Block:
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/nfl-draft#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/nfl-draft#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 May 2022 21:07:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-22-outreach-game-summary-dave-block</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Dave+Block+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kentucky Derby '22 Outreach Game Summary - Brad Madewell</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-brad-madewell</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 27 labors for the Derby Outreach!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Group+General+Kentucky+Derby+Outreach+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brad Madewell
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : Praise the Lord for His Gospel going forth today in Louisville. A ministry team of 29 of us went out today sharing the Word of God at the Derby today. Some Gospel conversations and a lot of ridicule but that is the true Gospel in a nutshell. Thanks for the prayers as we continue to share the Hope of Christ this weekend.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 May 2022 20:50:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-brad-madewell</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Group+General+Kentucky+Derby+Outreach+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kentucky Derby '22 Outreach Game Summary - Joe Toy</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-joe-toy</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 27 labors for the Derby Outreach!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long+Kentucky+Derby+outreach+Joe+Toy+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stirling Long
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             is at Churchill Downs: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brother 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Toy 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open Air Preaching today at the Derby. “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.” Mark‬ ‭1:1-2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 May 2022 20:40:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-joe-toy</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Stirling+Long+Kentucky+Derby+outreach+Joe+Toy+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kentucky Derby '22 Outreach Game Summary - Open Air Ministries</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-open-air-ministries</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 27 labors for the Derby Outreach!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Open+Air+Ministries+Kentucky+Derby+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open Air Ministries -
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Joe Toy
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : The battle for souls begins as the crowds begin to flow into the derby.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 May 2022 20:26:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-open-air-ministries</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Open+Air+Ministries+Kentucky+Derby+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-19-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-19-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-19-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray...Even in the Dark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of William Shakespeare’s most complicated characters, Hamlet, once made a timeless and disturbing declaration. You have probably heard it. He asked himself: “To be or not to be? That is the question” (Hamlet, Act III, Scene 1).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Don’t worry, this article won’t turn into a Shakespearean master class. But please appreciate the humanity of Hamlet’s question and the depth of his struggle. These are the very attributes that make Hamlet one of Shakespeare’s most complete characters, and one of the most tragic.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hamlet was the Prince of Denmark. One day he was traveling back to the kingdom he grew up in. That’s when he heard the awful news. His father, the king, had died. And while Hamlet was supposed to be the next king, his uncle stepped in and took the crown. In plotting his revenge, Hamlet caused the death of various people. The love of his life dies. And then, (not to spoil the end of a 400 year old story), in the final sword fight, Hamlet is stabbed with a poisoned sword. At the end of the play, Hamlet dies.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the middle of this mess, Hamlet struggles with his own sanity. Depression grips him. Having everything taken away from him, he wonders if life is worth living. He considers ending his own life. And there, in the middle of a graveyard, he holds a skull and says those timeless words: “To be or not to be?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That is the question, isn't it? Maybe you don’t care for Shakespearean plays, but Hamlet’s inner conflict has a way of holding a mirror to our own struggles with depression. That was the brilliance of a writer like Shakespeare. His characters were almost too real. In the darkness of your own depression, perhaps you also have have asked a form of the question: “To be or not to be?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The writer of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Psalm%2088/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 88
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            wrestled with that question, too. The Bible tells us that his name was Heman the Ezrahite, and as far as we know, this is the only psalm he ever wrote. It might be the darkest psalm anyone ever penned.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Out of the darkness of his life he begins by crying out to the Lord, “O Lord, the God who saves me, by day I cry out. At night I cry before you. May my prayer come before you. Turn your ear to my cry” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%2088%3A1-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 88:1-2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a cry it is! Heman admits, “My soul has had its fill of troubles…my life has arrived at the grave” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%2088%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 88:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He is “treated like those who go down to the pit” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps%2088%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps 88:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) Then come these darkest of words: “I am turned loose with the dead. I am like the slain who lie in the grave, like the ones you do not remember anymore” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%2088%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 88:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heman isn’t saying that someone else put him here or that some bad circumstances are to blame. He says to God, “You have put me in the lowest pit, in dark places, in the depths. Your wrath presses against me” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%2088%3A6-7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 88:6-7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then Heman pauses.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sometimes psalms have these moments in them where the word “Selah” comes up. It could mean that it was time to sing the refrain of the psalm, or it might be telling the musicians to play a musical interlude. But here, this “Selah," this “interlude,” seems simply to tell us to pause and think.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So what are we supposed to be thinking about during this pause? Two things. The first is that Heman’s life has become so bitter, so tumultuous, so dark that he would rather die than live. He is, at this point, like Hamlet walking through the cemetery, asking, “To be or not to be?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The second reason for Heman’s pause is to get you to ask, “Have I ever been there?” Has your job finally pushed you to the point of ending it all? Has your relationship made you walk to the brink and wonder if this life is worth living? Do our country’s conflicts make you think you are out of touch with our world today? Or in the darkness of night, when guilt corners you, when there seems to be no way out, do you wonder if life is worth living?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now I know that Christians don’t normally talk about the dangers of suicide. Maybe we avoid the topic altogether. But God purposefully brings it up through Heman’s psalm. Sometimes we feel so overwhelmed, so lost, so forsaken, so betrayed that we feel like giving up on life. We feel like the end would be preferable to living.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pastors and church leaders are not immune to this either. In fact, pastors across America have been taking their lives at an alarming rate since the COVID epidemic began. In their dark moments even they can ask that question: “To be or not to be?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus had every right to ask that question. Looking down at a world violent with sin, seeing the depravity sin had caused in the world, watching us flounder, he could have asked, “Should I go and be their Savior — or not?” He didn’t have to come at all. By all rights he shouldn’t have. But for Jesus, coming to be your Savior was never a question.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ empty tomb declares your salvation!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He came to be your substitute. Jesus came to be the world’s miracle-worker. Jesus came to be the Light that shone even in this sin-darkened world. Jesus came to be the care-giver for souls trapped in the darkness. And when that darkness tried to convince us that life isn’t worth living, Jesus came to be your life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus walked into the darkness of death and hell on the cross. It wasn’t a mission of suicide. It was a perfect sacrifice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his moments of loss, Heman asked in his psalm, “Is your mercy declared in the tomb, [Lord]?” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%2088%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 88:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And in Jesus’ death and resurrection, we see that it is. Jesus’ empty tomb declares your salvation!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heman had a brother called “Ethan the Ezrahite.” And Ethan, as far as we know, only wrote one psalm as well. It comes right after 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Psalm%2088/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 88
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . And while Heman wrote about the dark struggles we fight within our souls, Ethan writes in his psalm, “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever…Your mercy is built to last forever” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%2089%3A1%2C%202/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 89:1, 2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One brother, Heman, writes from the depths of our woes, “By day I cry out. At night I cry before you” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%2088%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 88:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Then his brother, Ethan writes, “How blessed are the people who know the joyful cry. Lord, they walk in the light from your face” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps%2089%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps 89:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remember? God the Father made you to be his. Jesus made you to be a fellow child of your heavenly Father. Jesus won you back on the cross to be a citizen of heaven.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So the question will come up again. Maybe you will be struggling with someone in a relationship. Maybe you will lose your job. Sickness without cure may inflict you. Betrayal might send you into darkness. And in those moments you might just be tempted to ask, “To be or not to be?” Should I go on living or should I just end it all right here.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you do have those thoughts, please, speak with your pastor. Share your struggles with a Christian counselor. And in addition to that, in that darkness, go to your Lord in prayer. Jump back into his Word. Because in his Word, Jesus tells you who you are.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Remember? God the Father made you to be his. Jesus made you to be a fellow child of your heavenly Father. Jesus won you back on the cross to be a citizen of heaven. The Holy Spirit strengthens you every day to be his light in this sin-darkened world. That is who your God has made you to be.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Darkness is not your only friend. Jesus loves you, and he will be with you — right there with you — always. He promises.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/pray-even-in-the-dark" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/pray-even-in-the-dark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 May 2022 13:37:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-19-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-18-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-18-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-18-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer - Relationships and Mission...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sometimes one person’s life has a great and lasting impact for good. This is certainly true of the man who made an extraordinary impact on his immediate world in the three short years of his public life. The effects of Jesus’ life didn’t cease when he was put to death. In fact, the reverse occurred, for some two millennia later, the impact of his words and actions, his death and resurrection, continue to grow throughout the world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The closing chapters of the Gospel of John focus on Jesus’ words to his followers at the ‘Last Supper’. We might think that his ‘story’ is coming to an end. But while we learn that Jesus was going away, we find this would mean the beginning of the next stage in God’s great plan.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ prayer on the night of his arrest (John chapter 17) opens another window on this. ‘Father,’ Jesus prayed, ‘the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you’ (17:1). His death was now a certainty: Judas had gone out into the night to betray him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And now as Jesus reckoned with the darkness of this evil, he was facing the greatest test of all – to remain faithful to God the Father when he was lifted up on the cross at Calvary bearing in himself the sin of the whole world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury in the Reigns of Henry VIII and Edward VI understood, as Ashley Null has observed, that ‘the glory of God is God’s love for the unworthy’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus not only prayed for himself. The greater part of his prayer was for his close followers and for all his people throughout the ages.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer for the disciples: ‘Father, … I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word’ (17:6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The disciples were to be the bridge between himself and the rest of humanity. Their ministry was essential for the future. If they failed, if they denied the truth that Jesus is God’s king sent to rescue the world from its narcissism, Christianity would die at its birth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So Jesus prayed that God would keep them and protect them as one in the Father’s name (17:11f); that God would keep them from the evil one and make them holy in the truth he had revealed (17:15, 17).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prayer for all who believe: ‘Father, … I ask … also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their (the disciples’) word’ (17:20).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The heart of the disciples’ mission would be the ministry of God’s Word. From Pentecost, following Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples began preaching, urging their hearers to turn to Jesus as the Messiah in repentance and faith. And over the following fifty years, thousands turned to Jesus Christ as Lord through this word ministry.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘I ask’, Jesus prayed, ‘… that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me...’ (John 17: 21a).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Unity. Jesus prayed that the unity of profound love and fellowship he enjoyed with God the Father, would be true of the relationship between God and all his people, and that they in turn, would be united in their love and fellowship with one another – ‘so that the world may believe that you have sent me’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So that the world may know. In our fallen state all of us are in revolt against God and the Son he has sent. Yet God has so loved the world that he is committed to drawing people from everywhere to the Son he gave … so that all who believe in him would be saved (John 3:16).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus is not praying here for the amalgamation of denominations. Denominations are humanly devised structures. Yes, bringing like-minded churches together might be desirable, especially where buildings and services are often duplicated with a loss of efficiency. However, Jesus is praying for a more fundamental union of hearts and minds that flows from a united and personal faith in him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doctrine, grounded in God’s written, self-revelation is essential for real and authentic relationships. Without truth, relationships have no meaning or substance. So, Jesus prayed for the unity of all who share this common confession of faith: Jesus Christ is the Lord (1 Corinthians 12:4).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ prayer is breathtaking and profound. It tells us so much about him – his glory, his suffering and death – to glorify God and to serve a fallen humanity. It speaks of the significant word ministry of the disciples. If they had messed up, we would have no knowledge of God’s love and the forgiveness he holds out to us in Jesus Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The prayer also tells us about us – that we can enjoy a personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, because of our united faith, we are to live in unity with one another as God’s people – a unity God uses to testify to others the depths of his love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From the time of Pentecost, the word ministry of the disciples, whom Jesus appointed as his apostles, has been and continues to be the key in bringing people from all races and nations to faith and unity in Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, the ministry of God’s Word draws us ever deeper into a personal relationship with God, equipping us with an ever better understanding of how he wants us to live for his glory and our eternal good.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Jesus, we have the man from heaven who has impacted the world, not through a political or economic system, nor at the end of a gun, but through his self-sacrificial love that draws us into a personal relationship with the one, true God, who is Lord of all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let me ask, when you wake-up in the morning, have you considered praying, ‘Good morning God the Father; Good morning Lord Jesus; Good morning God the Holy Spirit’? And, if you do, have you shared this with others?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty God, we thank you for the gift of your holy word. May it be a lantern to our feet, a light to our paths, and strength to our lives. Take us and use us to love and serve all people in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/prayer-relationships-and-mission/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/prayer-relationships-and-mission/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 May 2022 13:43:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-18-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-17-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-17-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Awaiting His Return
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is a widespread fascination with the end of the world. Throughout history, we have witnessed the bold assertions of soothsayers, naysayers, and doomsdayers. Every day, self-proclaimed prophets of the end times make whimsical predictions about the future. Claiming to have biblical authority, they tout their cleverly devised schemes about the end of the world as we know it, and by reading between the lines of the Old Testament prophetical books, they carefully contort the words of sacred Scripture to fit their fictional fantasies about the second advent of Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christians throughout the world have become so enamored with some obscure aspect about the second advent of Christ that they construct their entire systems of doctrine upon what might happen—not upon what has happened. We are, indeed, called to live with eager expectation of the second advent of Christ, but we should only do so in light of the first advent of Christ. In remembrance of Christ’s first advent, it is not enough simply to wish Jesus a happy birthday. In fact, to do so borders on blasphemy. Instead, we are called to remember and to celebrate the incarnation of the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, the eternal Logos.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the first advent of Jesus Christ, the fullness of time had come and God sent forth His Son into this fallen world. As the prophets foretold, He was born of a virgin who was richly blessed of God. He was born under the law of God, not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. As was necessary to redeem those under the Law, He fulfilled the righteous demands of the Law and took upon Himself the sins of His people, His sheep for whom He laid down His life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As His people, we confess that Christ shall come again to judge the quick and the dead. We believe He will return to this world not as a babe in a manger but as the King of all the earth, in power and glory to manifest His reign over the new heavens and the new earth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We confess His return because of what He taught us at His first advent and on account of the hope that is within us. For this reason, during the wonderful Advent season that comes each year, we should eagerly await the second advent of Christ as we celebrate the first advent of Christ. Nevertheless, let us always be mindful that although Christmas day comes only once a year, we are called to remember and celebrate the eternal work of Christ—past, present, and future—each day of our lives coram Deo, before the face of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/awaiting-his-return" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/awaiting-his-return
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 May 2022 13:46:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-16-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-16-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-16-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Humbly Receive from Him
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And he said, ‘Thus says the Lord, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’ For thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your livestock, and your animals.’’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/2%20Kings%203:16-17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            2 Kings 3:16-17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The armies of the three kings were famishing and in need of water. God was about to send it, and in these words the prophet announced the coming blessing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here was a case of human helplessness: Not a drop of water could all the valiant men procure from the skies or find in the wells of earth. In similar fashion the people of the Lord are often at their wits’ end—seeing their helplessness, and then learning where their help is to be found.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Notice that people were to prepare in faith to receive the divine blessing. They were to dig the trenches in which the water would be held. The church must learn by her efforts and prayers to make herself ready to be blessed; she must make the pools, and the Lord will fill them. This must be done in faith, in the full assurance that the blessing is about to descend. They were soon to discover a unique provision of the water they required. The shower did not pour from the clouds, as in Elijah’s case; but in a silent and mysterious manner the pools were filled. The Lord has His own sovereign modes of action: He is not tied to process and time as we are but does as He pleases among the sons of men. Our part is to humbly receive from Him, and not to dictate to Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We must also notice the remarkable abundance of the supply—there was enough for the needs of all. And so it is in the gospel blessing. All the needs of the congregation and of the entire church will be met by divine power in answer to prayer; and above all this, victory shall be quickly given to the armies of the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What am I doing for Jesus? What trenches am I digging? O Lord, make me ready to receive the blessing that You are so willing to bestow.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 16 May 2022 11:48:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-16-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kentucky Derby '22 Outreach Game Summary - Alex Burt</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-alex-burt</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 27 labors for the Derby Outreach!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Alex+Burt+Preaching+to+the+Mass+Kentucky+Derby+Outreach+2022+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Video - 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - Montage of the evangelists on Mark Yoho's team and my team preaching as the nearly 150,000 race fans leave the Derby. I failed to get footage of Dan and Greg. There are snippets of everyone else on our teams.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 13 May 2022 20:03:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/kentucky-derby-22-outreach-game-summary-alex-burt</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Alex+Burt+Preaching+to+the+Mass+Kentucky+Derby+Outreach+2022+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-13-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-13-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-13-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You Are Rich Indeed
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord is my portion.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%20119:57/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 119:57
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Look at your possessions, believer, and compare your portion with the circumstances of your friends. Some of them have their portion in the field; they are rich, and their harvests yield them a golden increase; but what are harvests compared with your God, who is the God of harvests? What are bursting granaries compared with Him who feeds you with the bread of heaven? Some have their portion in the city; their wealth is abundant and flows to them in constant streams until they become a very reservoir of gold; but what is gold compared with your God? You could not live on it; your spiritual life could not be sustained by it. Could it grant peace to a troubled conscience? Apply it to a sad heart, and see if it could prevent a single groan or minimize one grief.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But you have God, and in Him you have more than gold or riches could ever buy. Some have their portion in something most men love—applause and fame; but ask yourself, is not your God more to you than that? Do you think that human accolades or thunderous applause could prepare you to face death or encourage you in the prospect of judgment? No! There are sorrows in life that wealth cannot alleviate; and there is the deep need of a dying hour, for which no riches can provide.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But when you have God for your portion, you have more than everything else put together. In Him every need is met, whether in life or in death. With God for your portion you are rich indeed, for He will supply your need, comfort your heart, relieve your grief, guide your steps, walk with you in the dark valley, and then take you home to enjoy Him as your portion forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “I have enough,” said Esau; this is the best thing a worldly man can say, but Jacob replied in essence, “I have everything,” which is a note too high for carnal minds.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/5/13/2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/5/13/2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 12 May 2022 13:06:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-13-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-12-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-12-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-12-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are You a Righteous Person?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are you a righteous person? Which is to say, are you morally right, good, and virtuous? You probably think so but how do you know? That’s the easy part. Your moral uprightness, goodness, and virtue are always measured against some form of performance-based upon laws, rules, standards, etc. They may be laws that govern conduct or even ideas. Do the ‘right’ things, hold the ‘right’ ideas and you are righteous, good.There is a rather large problem, of course, with all this and Paul puts his finger on it. He writes of having “… a righteousness of my own, based on law,…”. Your brand of righteousness is based upon whatever assortment of laws, rules, standards, etc. that you have cobbled together to build your own personal brand of morality. Your righteousness is a relative righteousness based upon your own code of law. On the ladder of perfect righteousness, even by your own standards, you probably have quite a ways to climb but you probably think you have climbed high enough to settle into a comfortable, if mediocre, form of righteousness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All you have to do is look beneath you at those on the lower rungs, or those climbing the wrong ladders all together, to validate your righteous place in the world. Once most people find that place of righteous mediocrity, they stay put. And from that safe, smug, self-satisfied place on the ladder, it is hard, very hard to hear the gospel.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Both Paul and Martin Luther were Olympic champions when it came to ladder climbing. No mediocre morality for them! Paul was the Pharisee’s Pharisee. He could proudly boast that he kept the law as no other. Blameless was the word he used.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luther was recognized by the Augustinian order of friars, a group of professional religious ladder climbers, as one of their very best.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           But it was not their success in righteousness and virtue that made them Christian. In fact, it was their moral striving in the law that finally broke them. For Paul, who in his righteous indignation breathed threats and death against Christians, that breakthrough came when the Risen Christ (God Himself) appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus. And, in effect said,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Paul, in persecuting Christians according to your version of law, your self-righteous pride in your moral uprightness is making you an enemy of God.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luther climbed and climbed the ‘make yourself righteous’ ladder until the effort increasingly exposed his sin, broke him and he collapsed into a despairing heap.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There was something necessary about their efforts. Paul and Luther climbed way beyond mediocrity on the righteousness ladder. One ended up in pride, the other in despair. And it was only then that God could expose the futility of their efforts in the law and reveal to them, through the gospel, what the late Alvin Rogness once called the “glorious alternative.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through the gift of God’s grace and mercy in Christ, Paul and Luther were liberated from being fake caricatures of righteousness into the righteousness of Christ and the freedom of a living faith. Luther gloried in Paul’s words, and so may we:
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, so that I may gain Christ and be found in him not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Phil.%203%3A8-10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Phil. 3:8-10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This article comes to us from Pastor Mark Anderson and was first published on 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anderdad.wpcomstaging.com/2021/01/11/indeed-i-count-everything-as-loss-because-of-the-surpassing-worth-of-knowing-christ-jesus-my-lord-for-his-sake-i-have-suffered-the-loss-of-all-things-and-count-them-as-refuse-in-order-that-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           his blo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           g.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pastor Mark Anderson’s life experience has ranged from being a touring rock musician, to serving as an Air National Guard chaplain. He is a graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota and Luther Seminary. Since his ordination in 1977 Pastor Mark has served congregations in Minnesota, Montana and California. He has been at his current congregation, Lutheran Church of the Master, Corona del Mar, California, since 1991. Pastor Mark and his wife Linda have three grown children.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/are-you-a-righteous-person" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/are-you-a-righteous-person
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 12 May 2022 13:05:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-12-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-11-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-11-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-11-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Promises...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Have you ever wondered why you sometimes feel God is distant and doesn’t seem to care?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come with me to John chapter 14. The chapter forms part of the record of Jesus’ final hours before his arrest and crucifixion. The meal he had with his friends that night was the last meal with them before his death. The reality that a separation was about to occur was hanging like a pall over them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The disciples were puzzled and frightened. On the one hand Jesus was saying that he was soon to be ‘glorified’, but at the same time he was saying he was ‘going away’: ‘Where I am going you cannot come,’ he said (14:3).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the same way a dying parent tries to warn their children of their going, so Jesus, with great tenderness was preparing his friends for his departure.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            However, from verse 15 of John 14, we read that his going would mean the coming of someone else. He was not going to leave them bereft.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Verses 15 through 17 read: ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With his reference to the Spirit, we might think Jesus is speaking of an impersonal power or force. However, the personal pronouns him and he in reference to the Spirit, tell us that he was not speaking of a ‘force’ but a ‘person’. Indeed, in referring to the Spirit this way Jesus breaks the rules of grammar, for in the original language spirit is a neuter noun. The him and he in the verse are emphasized pronouns: He dwells with you…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The moment we think of the Holy Spirit as an ‘it’, we miss the point of Jesus’ promise: he, Jesus, is going away. But he is to be replaced, not by an it, but a he, the Spirit, the Helper. Into this time of deep loss with Jesus’ departure, comes the promise that the Holy Spirit perfectly matches the need for a Helper, a Comforter.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Helper or Comforter is not like Linus’s blanket, nor is it a hot water bottle for cold, hard times. He comes to strengthen God’s people – not just with a pat on the head, but rather to put new life, resolve and vitality into our hearts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Relationships. ‘If anyone loves me,’ Jesus says, ‘they will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them’ (14:23).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus knows better than anyone that relationships can only be meaningful when they are based on truth. So he continues, ‘But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you’ (14:26).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Spirit, who caused the Scriptures to be written (2 Peter 1:21), will teach us through the written Word of the Bible. We can be sure the Bible is true!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What the disciples preached and what they wrote, comes with this authentication: they were promised accurate recall of all Jesus said and did, as well as the true interpretation of these events.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This promise is not primarily for us. We arrived too late to see and hear Jesus. But we do have the assurance that the disciples got it right. Their preaching, teaching, and writing is true because the Spirit of God was at work through them. He was inspiring them, breathing into them God’s Word of truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is so encouraging, for it means that we are being brought into a true, authentic relationship with the living God. Our faith is not some vague, mystical experience.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Bible is more than memories of a long-dead hero, more than following the wisest teachings the world has known. The Bible enables us to listen to what God is saying and to what Jesus says, so that we can grow in the riches of that relationship. If we ignore the Scriptures, our relationship with God will grow weary and weak.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘If anyone loves me,’ Jesus says, ‘we will come and make our home with them’ (14:23). What a wonderful promise and privilege, a wonderful experience: God in us. Or, as Paul the Apostle writes in Colossians 1:27: Christ in you, the hope of glory. There’s nothing second rate about this. Jesus couldn’t make it clearer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yes, there will be times we feel God is distant. But we need to remind ourselves, and one another, that God has not forgotten us. It can happen when we’re so focused on our own interests that we forget that the Spirit speaks to us and makes his presence known to us through the Word of God. Sometimes the Spirit will prompt us to take up and read our Bible, perhaps starting with a Psalm.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peace. Jesus also promises, ‘My peace I give you, not as the world gives…’ In the midst of the turmoil and conflict of the world God’s people can experience God’s peace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Others will notice our changing lives as the Spirit works within us. They will also notice how we cope with the challenges of life in an unjust and unpredictable world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ words to his disciples on the eve of his arrest and crucifixion, tell us that God is passionate about people of all ages and cultures knowing him, loving him and enjoying his peace. The promises were not just to the disciples but also to you and me today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Prayer. Almighty God, you show to those who are in error the light of your truth so that they may return into the way of righteousness: grant to all who are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s service that we may renounce those things that are contrary to our profession and follow all such things as are agreeable to it; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/promises-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/promises-2/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 11 May 2022 13:45:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-11-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-10-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-10-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-10-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Who Was Cain's Wife?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%204%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 4:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            tells us, “Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch.” That is the first and last mention of the wife of Cain in the entire Bible. Naturally, this raises some questions: Who was she, and where did she come from? The Bible names only three offspring of Adam and Eve: Cain, Abel, and Seth (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gen.%204%3A1%E2%80%932%2C%2025/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 4:1–2, 25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). However, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%205%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 5:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            says that Adam “had other sons and daughters.” Since all mankind came from one man (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%2017%3A26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 17:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), then Cain’s wife was either a sister or a woman from the line of Seth. It is possible that she might have been from the line of Abel. We are not told that Abel had children, but since Cain was concerned about being slain because of his killing of Abel (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gen.%204%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 4:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), some of those people might have been offspring of Abel, seeking to avenge their father’s death.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gaps or omissions like this in the biblical record seem to encourage speculation among readers. From the Jewish sources (Pirkei of Rabbi Eliezer 21:7), we read of speculation that Abel had a twin sister named Awan (the book of Jubilees 4:11) who was very beautiful. Because Cain desired to take her from Abel and make her his wife, he killed Abel. None of this speculation, as interesting as it might be, should be taken seriously. All we can know from Scripture is that Cain’s wife was his sister or another close relative.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The idea that Cain’s wife was also his sister raises the question about incest. Though the idea is odious to us, it would have been necessary in the first generations. As the population of the earth increased, however, it would not have been necessary and was eventually prohibited in the law of Moses (see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Lev.%2018%3B%2020/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lev. 18; 20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many commentaries on Genesis do not address these questions, in part because they are considered to be outside the scope of what the commentary is intended to do. More liberal commentators may ignore these questions because they consider the opening chapters of Genesis to be mythological in character and thus not to be taken seriously in any case. The comments by C.F. Keil in the Commentary on the Old Testament helpfully sum it up:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The text assumes it as self-evident that she accompanied him in his exile; also, that she was a daughter of Adam, and consequently a sister of Cain. The marriage of brothers and sisters was inevitable in the case of the children of the first men, if the human race was actually to descend from a single pair, and may therefore be justified in the face of the Mosaic prohibition of such marriages, on the ground that the sons and daughters of Adam represented not merely the family but the genus, and that it was not till after the rise of several families that the bands of fraternal and conjugal love became distinct from one another, and assumed fixed and mutually exclusive forms, the violation of which is sin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/cains-wife#fn1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/cains-wife" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/cains-wife
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 11 May 2022 13:43:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-10-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>NFL Draft '22 Outreach Game Summary - Video Review with Bill</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-video-review-with-bill</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 10 labors for the NFL Draft '22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Game+summary+video+with+Bill+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great Game Summary Video at the NFL Draft - Bringing the Gospel to Vegas with Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch it now:
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/nfl-draft#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/nfl-draft#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 10 May 2022 22:16:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-video-review-with-bill</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Draft+ministry+reports+game+summary+4-28_30-22.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>NFL Draft '22 Outreach Game Summary - Marisa Ramirez</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-22-outreach-game-summary-marisa-ramirez</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 10 labors for the NFL Draft '22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Marisa+Ramirez+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ministry Reports and Videos from 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010122645384&amp;amp;comment_id=Y29tbWVudDoxNzAzOTMyNTY5OTU0MTQ4XzQwOTYxNDE1NDA1NDk1Mg%3D%3D&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXxFEwNXjWzq2UtwJmg9mQEzywXT5pkETcUoprb1czvScwVVI9cKENMuc1KV1glfWreMJZWY-1VQCn3qH7OKoMw6zuI2S1ZQcf8vOaZFN-vIHTZPQaEdECC-jrXyWK40RESpmjyrSBLcF6w7bGVNX9d&amp;amp;__tn__=R]-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Marisa Ramirez
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sharing the Gospel in Las Vegas with the evangelist team Sports Fan Outreach for the NFL Draft. Thank you to all of my brothers and sisters for praying for us and God to save the lost souls. We really appreciate your prayers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you all who are praying for us as we are sharing the Gospel in Las Vegas at the NFL Draft and praying for souls to be saved .Your prayers mean so much .Glory To God ,King Of Kings ,Lord Of Lord Jesus Is Lord Praise God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/nfl-draft#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/nfl-draft#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 10 May 2022 21:12:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-22-outreach-game-summary-marisa-ramirez</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Draft+ministry+reports+game+summary+4-28_30-22.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>NFL Draft '22 Outreach Game Summary - Pat Hegarty</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-22-outreach-game-summary-pat-hegarty</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 10 labors for the NFL Draft '22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Pat+Hegarty+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open Air Preaching Videos - Pat Hegarty
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch now:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/100000191303686/videos/705085380691315/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/100000191303686/videos/705085380691315/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/100000191303686/videos/330129289224706/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/100000191303686/videos/330129289224706/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/100000191303686/videos/2820621448083107/"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/100000191303686/videos/2820621448083107/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/nfl-draft#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/nfl-draft#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 10 May 2022 19:08:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-22-outreach-game-summary-pat-hegarty</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Draft+ministry+reports+game+summary+4-28_30-22.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>NFL Draft '22 Outreach Game Summary - Pics</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-22-outreach-game-summary-pics</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 10 labors for the NFL Draft '22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Draft+Outreach+Photo+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great NFL Draft Outreach - Praise God!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/nfl-draft#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/nfl-draft#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 May 2022 20:51:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-22-outreach-game-summary-pics</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Draft+ministry+reports+game+summary+4-28_30-22.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>NFL Draft Outreach Game Summary - Videos</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-outreach-game-summary-videos</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 10 labors for the NFL Draft '22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Draft+ministry+reports+game+summary+4-28_30-22.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/BobbyMcCreery?__cft__[0]=AZU1m_1DhcmML-alyQlng1YANgu7Qz7a7OGmEQtbeAUeIIV7hteJKyMi62pjHrWPEzZUoqPSoiUyLGlAqRYtyCLzm-9_Pg8OJCz0pBAHStKo_Q&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           April 29 - Larry at the NFL Draft
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Larry preaching at NFL Draft
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/nfl-draft#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/nfl-draft#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 May 2022 20:31:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-outreach-game-summary-videos</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Draft+ministry+reports+game+summary+4-28_30-22.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-9-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-9-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-9-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With Jesus at Our Side
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come, my beloved, let us go out into the fields … Let us … See whether the vines have budded.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Song%20of%20Songs%207:11-12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Song of Songs 7:11-12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The bride was about to engage in hard work and desired her beloved’s company in it. She does not say, “I will go,” but “let us go.” In like fashion, it is a blessing to work when Jesus is at our side! It is the business of God’s people to be trimmers of God’s vines. Like our first parents, we are put into the garden of the Lord for usefulness; let us then go out into the fields.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When God’s people are thinking properly, they desire to enjoy communion with Christ. Some may imagine that they cannot serve Christ actively and still have fellowship with Him; they are mistaken. There is no doubt that we may easily neglect our inward life in outward exercises and be forced to say, “They made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard have I not kept!”1 There is no reason why this should be the case except for our own foolishness and neglect. It is certain that a professing Christian may do nothing and end up just as lifeless in spiritual things as those who are most busy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mary was not praised for sitting still, but for her sitting at Jesus’ feet. Even so, Christians are not to be praised for neglecting duties under the pretense of having secret fellowship with Jesus: It is not sitting, but sitting at Jesus’ feet that is commendable. Do not think that activity is in itself an evil: It is a great blessing and a means of grace to us. Paul called it a grace given to him to be allowed to preach; and every form of Christian service may become a personal blessing to those engaged in it. Those who have most fellowship with Christ are not recluses or hermits, who have time on their hands, but tireless workers who are toiling for Jesus and who, in their endeavor, have Him side by side with them, so that they are workers together with God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let us remember then, in anything we have to do for Jesus, we can do it and should do it in close communion with Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Song of Solomon 1:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 May 2022 15:07:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-9-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>NFL Draft '22 Outreach Game Summary - Videos</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-22-outreach-game-summary-videos</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 10 labors for the NFL Draft '22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Draft+ministry+reports+game+summary+4-28_30-22.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/BobbyMcCreery?__cft__[0]=AZU1m_1DhcmML-alyQlng1YANgu7Qz7a7OGmEQtbeAUeIIV7hteJKyMi62pjHrWPEzZUoqPSoiUyLGlAqRYtyCLzm-9_Pg8OJCz0pBAHStKo_Q&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           April 28 - SFOI Live with Larry Helmuth
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel net at NFL Draft 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/nfl-draft#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/nfl-draft#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 May 2022 16:03:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/nfl-draft-22-outreach-game-summary-videos</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NFL+Draft+ministry+reports+game+summary+4-28_30-22.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-6-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-6-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-6-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tested and Battered
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All the days of my service I would wait.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Job%2014:14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Job 14:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A short stay on earth will make heaven more heavenly. Nothing makes rest so enjoyable as work; nothing renders security so pleasant as exposure to danger. The bitter cups of earth will give a relish to the new wine that sparkles in the golden bowls of heaven. Our battered armor and scarred countenances will render more glorious our victory above, when we are welcomed to the seats of those who have overcome the world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We would not have full fellowship with Christ if we did not sojourn for a while below, for He was baptized with a baptism of suffering among men, and we must be baptized with the same if we would share His kingdom. Fellowship with Christ is so honorable that the sorest sorrow is a light price by which to procure it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another reason for our lingering here is for the good of others. We would not wish to enter heaven till our work is done, and it may be that we still have a part to play shining as light in the dark wilderness of sin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our prolonged stay here is doubtless for God’s glory. A tested saint, like a well-cut diamond, glitters much in the King’s crown. Nothing reflects so much honor on a workman as a protracted and severe trial of his work and his triumphant endurance of the ordeal without giving in or giving up. We are God’s workmanship, and He will be glorified by our afflictions. It is for the honor of Jesus that we endure the trial of our faith with sacred joy. Let each man surrender his own longings to the glory of Jesus and declare: “If my lying in the dust would elevate my Lord by so much as an inch, let me still lie among the pots of earth. If to live on earth forever would make my Lord more glorious, it should be my heaven to be shut out of heaven.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our time is fixed and settled by eternal decree. Let us not be anxious about it, but wait with patience until the gates of pearl shall open.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 May 2022 13:58:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-6-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-5-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-5-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-5-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joseph's Moment of Truth
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is an excerpt from Chapter 6 of the forthcoming book, “Graciously Keep Me This Night,” written by Steve Kruschel (1517 Publishing, 2022).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A few years ago, a 90 year-old German man shuffled into a courtroom. He had lived a life that was more eventful than he cared to admit. He entered the halls of justice – but not to watch a trial. He was on trial. His name was Oskar Gröning, and he was charged with accessory to murder.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He couldn’t deny it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           75 years earlier, he had served as a Nazi officer at Auschwitz – one of the concentration camps used to exterminate the Jewish people during World War II. It had taken three quarters of a century, but justice finally caught up to him. He was about to get what he deserved for the crimes he committed – the murder he accomplished. The judge ruled him guilty.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He certainly was.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For 75 years he had felt guilty. Shame weighed him down. Not a day went by that he didn’t think of those people he hurt and killed; the families he separated; the incurable harm he caused.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Everyone seemed to be in agreement. When you find a Nazi, even one as old as Oskar Gröning, you convict him and sentence him to prison...or even better—to death.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That’s what you do to the enemy, isn’t it? You find him. You accuse him. You sentence him to prison for life...or you sentence him to death. And you don’t look back. After all, they are the enemy. They should feel pain. They should receive their comeuppance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, what was Egypt’s second-in-charge to do when he saw his enemies bowing before him? Joseph had experienced quite a change of fortune since these bowing brothers sold him into slavery. In fact, Joseph’s brothers didn’t even recognize him. But Joseph recognized them. This was now the second time he had seen them. But this occasion was different. They had brought his brother Benjamin with them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was all too much for Egypt’s leader to take. Overwhelmed by the situation, Joseph hurried himself into his private chamber. All alone, having just seen the brothers who had betrayed him, having seen his own brother, Benjamin, with his own eyes for the first time in years, Joseph wept.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This point in Joseph’s life stood as a watershed moment. As tears streamed down his cheeks he considered his next move carefully. This pause in Joseph’s day probably felt like an eternity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joseph had experienced this before. Time must have seemed to stand still during those nights when the sun, moon and stars bowed to him in his dreams, or when everyone else’s sheaves of grain bended low to his. God was fulfilling those childhood dreams in the other room at that very moment.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Everything must have stopped when Joseph sat in the bottom of the well, overhearing his brothers coldly deciding his fate as they ate their lunch above him. The nights must have felt long as Joseph pushed away any thoughts of adultery in Potiphar’s house. The stillness of Egypt’s prison must have worn on into an eternity for the wrongly accused son of Jacob. Perhaps there were even moments when Joseph questioned whether or not those dreams he interpreted for Pharaoh would actually come true. If they didn’t, he would probably have been put to death.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But the dreams did come true. Now Joseph hid himself from everyone as he wept.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord gives you backroom moments, too. When was the last time the world stood still around you? Perhaps you feel that way right now—the world has paused, nothing moves, and there you are weeping. Do you have brothers like Joseph? Have you wept over the betrayal of someone you trusted? We have all had a close, personal friend cut us to the heart.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you sit where Joseph sits, then you also face the choice that Joseph faced. Do you respond with vengeance? Most in this world would not bat an eye if you reciprocated with a betrayal of your own. Satan would love to help you enact it, or at least watch you try. Even the thought of retribution is enough to fall into sin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sitting in Egypt’s royal backroom with Joseph we sometimes consider rising to rebellion, looking to lop off the heads of our enemies as they kneel before us...at least in our minds. We have lashed out against our betrayers with words that strike more painfully than any dagger.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joseph had been sold into the lowest form of slavery by the very brothers who should have loved him the most. For the exchange of Joseph’s life, the brothers received 20 pieces of silver. Perhaps if they had to, they would have given him away for free.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The going rate for betrayal had not changed much in two millennia. When Judas agreed to betray his teacher, Jesus, into the hands of his enemies, he received 30 pieces of silver for the trouble. It was a handsome sum. Unlike Joseph’s brothers, Judas would not have to share it with anyone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the end, it wasn’t enough. Even that large amount of money could not buy off Judas’ guilty conscience. Throwing it back into the temple, Judas ran out into the tear-filled night and hung himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There would be no last minute rescue for the Son of God. Betrayed by Judas, abandoned by his disciples, hated by his rulers and bludgeoned by Roman soldiers, Jesus stood a man apart from the world. On Calvary he suffered a world’s worth of sins. Your every betrayal, your every thought of retribution, each one of your cutting words washed away. The King of the world gave his life to remove our sins.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Just think of all the ways Jesus could have carried out vengeance against those who had wronged him.He could have called legions of angels to wipe out the soldiers. With a word he could have sent his false-accusers to hell. With the simplest of motions he could have flicked away his fleeing disciples forever. Yet what does your suffering Savior declare from the cross? “Father, forgive them” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2023%3A34/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 23:34
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And you are forgiven. Even you. Even me. Criminals though we are, guilt-ridden though we may feel. You are forgiven.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And now just as importantly, you get to forgive those around you. The woman who betrayed you...Father, forgive them. The family that wants nothing to do with you and what you believe...Father, forgive them. The man who took something dear from you...Father, forgive them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After his somber moment alone, Egypt’s highest foreign-born son returned to the room. They ate and he sent them away. But hidden inside one of their bags was a cup, a reason to make them return. Perhaps it was a final test to make sure his brothers had amended their lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judah passed the test. Standing up for his brother, Benjamin, in whose sack the cup was found, Judah offered himself up as a slave in Benjamin’s place.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was more than enough.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Finally, the wronged brother left for dead, the betrayed sibling who was sold into slavery revealed himself. This Egyptian leader was their brother, Joseph. No retribution remained in his heart, only forgiveness. A family broken by betrayal now healed together.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Betraying brothers found forgiveness in Egypt, but what about Nazis in Germany?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Of all the people seeking the death of Oskar Gröning, that Nazi war criminal, one woman was perhaps most justified. Her name was Eva Kor. Eva was an Auschwitz survivor. Gröning had watched as Eva’s parents and her two older sisters had been killed. And now that Gröning was on trial for his crimes, Eva traveled over to Germany to see him face to face. Everyone who knew this woman must have wondered just how strong her words toward this man would be. How could they not be? He was, at least in part, responsible for the death of her entire family!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What would you say? A final, parting shot? Would you give him an angry slap across the face? Or maybe you would just watch as this old man feels his soul torn apart in the courtroom, as evidence mounts against him, slowly pushing him to prison...or even execution. After all, it is what he deserves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eva Kor, her family’s sole survivor of Auschwitz, finally met Oskar Gröning face to face. She went right up to him, raised her arms up...and hugged him. Then she said the three hardest words she would ever say…“I forgive you.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And if Eva could forgive Oskar, if Joseph could forgive his brothers, if Jesus could forgive you, then you can forgive also...even your enemy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/josephs-moment-of-truth" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/josephs-moment-of-truth
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 May 2022 14:30:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-5-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-4-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-4-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-4-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Life Unimaginable...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Occasionally someone says, ‘Show me proof that God exists and I will believe’. But will they? Frederick Buechner in The Magnificent Defeat (1966) wrote: ‘We all want to be certain, we all want proof, but the kind of proof we tend to want – scientifically and philosophically demonstrable proof that would silence all doubts once and for all – would not in the long run, I think, answer the fearful depths of our need at all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘For what we need to know is not just that God exists, but that there is a God right here in the thick of our day-to-day lives as we move around knee-deep in the fragrant muck and misery and marvel of this world. It is not objective proof of God’s existence we want, but the experience of God’s presence. That is the miracle we are really after – and that also, I think, is the miracle we really get.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In John chapter 10, verse 24 we read that the Jewish leaders pressed Jesus to answer their question: ‘If you are the Christ, tell us plainly’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John tells us that Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication. The Jewish Feast of Dedication, Hanukkah, is an eight-day festival celebrating the rededication of the Temple after it had been desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes in 168BC. Furthermore, because candles that had been lit at the first festival had oil for just one day and yet kept burning for eight, it also was called the Festival of Lights, a time of rededication to God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The question the Jewish leaders put to Jesus was one that was causing division in Jerusalem at the time (John 7:25ff). John writes that while there were those who believed in Jesus most of the Jewish leaders were antipathetic towards him (John 10:19-21).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Jesus refused to be drawn. He knew a direct answer would not be heard by those who had already made up their minds and refused to acknowledge the true significance of the things he was doing – not least his recent giving sight to a man born blind (John 9:1-7).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep’ (John 10:25f).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus identifies the emergence of two groups of people. There are those who are satisfied with their view of life and therefore don’t believe in Jesus: they refuse to look to the signs that point to his transcendental nature. On the other hand, there are those who view themselves and life very differently. They know their lives are empty and don’t measure up to their expectations. They are looking for life that is not just physically but spiritually satisfying, the kind of life that Jesus says he can offer; he promised the woman at a well in Samaria living water, welling up into eternal life (John 4:10, 14). Here in chapter 10, he calls this second group his sheep. He is the good shepherd who is willing to give his life for them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Jesus continues, he references what we might describe as three tests that reveal whether we are members of his flock.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘My sheep hear my voice’ (10:27). Today there are all kinds of voices raising fears for the future. But many realize their concerns are not going to address the deeper needs of our souls. Another voice beckons – one that speaks to our hearts and opens up a personal relationship with the Good Shepherd who knows our name. He is the one to whom John the Apostle bears witness when he says: We beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘They follow me’ (10:27). John chapter 10 reveals Jesus’ words that he is the good shepherd who knows his sheep and cares for them. Furthermore and significantly, he is also known by the sheep (10:14). The imagery Jesus uses is that of a shepherd in the ancient world – one who guides and protects the sheep. Unlike the Australian ‘drover’ who drives a mob of sheep from behind with dogs keeping them together, the shepherd of Israel led the sheep to find good pasture and springs of water. The shepherd not only led but went amongst the sheep, keeping them together, protecting them from marauding animals.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s often said that God’s people are shut into a joyless lifestyle without freedom and fun. How different this is from Jesus’ imagery: his sheep follow him freely. They are not driven and beaten. Rather, their choice to follow is voluntary. They perceive that true life is to be found only in relationship with the Lord who loves them dearly. To quote Buechner again, ‘It is not objective proof of God’s existence we want, but the experience of God’s presence. That is the miracle we are really after …’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘I give them eternal life’ (10:28). With the unprovoked war in Ukraine and injustices perpetrated in varying ways throughout the world, many are anxious about the future. Furthermore, with the pandemic that has been sweeping the world over the last two years, many are experiencing greater uncertainty and loneliness, and with it have become cynical about all forms of authority.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How comforting and truly strengthening it is to know that we can put our hand in the sure hand of the Lord. He not only knows us by name, he understands our concerns and our needs. With the American withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan in August last year and the sudden rise to power of the Taliban, stories are emerging of the miraculous way the Lord has cared for and is providing for his people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yes, some have died for their faith. But the uncertainties and injustices of this world awaken us to the greater depth of Jesus’ words, I give them eternal life, and they will never perish’ (10:38). No one can ever remove Jesus’ people from the security of their relationship with him. Why? Jesus answers: ‘My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand’ (10:29).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           None of us knows where life with the Lord will take us. The path may not always be easy. But we can be assured of this, life with Jesus, even though it is eternal, will not be boring. Far from it. It will be a life unimaginable, far beyond anything we have ever dreamed: a life of beauty and goodness, love, laughter and joy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty God, you alone can order the unruly wills and passions of sinful men and women. Help us so to love what you command and desire what you promise, that among the many and varied changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys may be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/life-unimaginable/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/life-unimaginable/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 May 2022 15:40:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-4-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-3-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-3-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-3-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Cross and the Crown
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Several years ago I heard about a large suburban church that rented a fifteen-thousand seat performance hall and invited a well-known college football coach to give his testimony about being a Christian coach. When I heard about this, what concerned me was not the fact that a college football coach was asked to give his testimony but that this event replaced the church’s Easter worship service. Instead of dedicating their worship service to the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (as we are called to do each Lord’s Day), this church decided it could serve the interests of God’s people better if the congregation were not confined to the house of God where there was a pulpit and a cross. Rather, it seemed fitting to meet in a concert hall so that unbelievers would feel more comfortable in attending church on Easter Sunday. And by forsaking the testimony of the Word of God in order to hear the testimony of a popular football coach, the thousands who attended the event were deprived of true worship by the entrepreneurs of contemporary evangelicalism.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many churches have embraced the strategies of twenty-first century evangelical entrepreneurs. In doing so, they have traded in the old rugged cross that once adorned the sanctuary’s chancel for a high-definition movie screen so that the congregation can watch commercials for the church’s mid-week programs between segments in the service. “But,” many will surely retort, “isn’t that what attracts people to go to church? And if people go to church, isn’t that a good thing?” Indeed, going to church is a good thing; hearing the testimony of a Christian football coach is a good thing; even watching commercials about the church’s programs is a good thing. However, not one of these things can be considered good if it is not centered on the fundamental reason for the church’s very existence, namely, the finished work of the crucified and risen Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Perhaps never before in the history of the church have the people of God been so apathetic to the reality of the resurrection, ascension, intercession, and second coming of Christ. Nevertheless, we are called to celebrate Christ’s resurrection, ascension, and intercession, and we are called to proclaim boldly His second coming, not merely through a personal testimony, but by the preaching of the Good News of Jesus Christ so that the lost might believe and so that we might rightly live coram Deo, before the face of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/cross-and-crown" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/cross-and-crown
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 May 2022 15:38:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-3-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 5-2-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-2-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 5-2-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dying in Faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These all died in faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Hebrews%2011:13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Hebrews 11:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider the epitaph of all those blessed saints who fell asleep before the coming of our Lord! The issue is not how they died—whether of old age or by violent means—but that whatever their diverse experiences, they are united in Him: “These all died in faith.” In faith they lived—it was their comfort, their guide, their motive, and their support; and in the same spiritual grace they died, ending their life-song in the sweet melody that had followed them through life. They did not die trusting in the flesh or their own attainments; they never wavered from their first way of acceptance with God but held to the way of faith to the end. Faith is as precious to die by as to live by.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dying in faith has distinct reference to the past. They believed the promises that had gone before and were assured that their sins were blotted out through the mercy of God. Dying in faith has to do with the present. These saints were confident of their acceptance with God; they enjoyed the benefits of His love and rested in His faithfulness. Dying in faith looks into the future. They fell asleep, affirming that the Messiah would surely come and that when He in the last days appeared upon the earth, they would rise from their graves to behold Him. To them the pains of death were but the birth-pangs of a better state.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Take courage, my soul, as you read this epitaph. Your journey, through grace, is one of faith, not sight, and this has always been the pathway of the brightest and the best. Faith was the orbit in which these stars of the first magnitude shone in their day; and happy are you to be in their company. Look again tonight to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of your faith, and thank Him for giving you like precious faith with souls now in glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 02 May 2022 11:53:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-5-2-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-29-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-29-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-29-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ's Comprehensive Love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord takes pleasure in his people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%20149:4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Psalms 149:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How comprehensive is the love of Jesus! There is no part of His people’s interests that He does not consider, and there is nothing that concerns their welfare that is not important to Him. He doesn’t merely think of you, believer, as an immortal being, but as a mortal being too. Do not deny it or doubt it: “Even the hairs of your head are all numbered.”1 “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way.”2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It would be sad for us if this covering of love did not tackle all our concerns, for what mischief might be done to us in that part of our lives that did not come under our gracious Lord’s protection! Believer, rest assured that the heart of Jesus cares about your smallest concerns. The breadth of His tender love is such that you may turn to Him in every case; for in all your afflictions He is afflicted, and just like a father cares for his children, so He cares for you. The smallest interests of all His saints are all borne upon the heart of the Son of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And what a heart He has, which does not merely understand the nature of His people but also comprehends their diverse and innumerable concerns. Do you think, Christian, that you can measure the love of Christ? Consider what His love has brought you—justification, adoption, sanctification, eternal life! The riches of His goodness are unsearchable; you will never be able to convey them or even conceive them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Oh, the breadth of the love of Christ! Shall such a love as this have only half our hearts? Shall it have a cold love in return? Shall Jesus’ marvelous loving-kindness and tender care be met with only faint response and delayed acknowledgment? My soul, tune your harp to a glad song of thanksgiving! Go to your rest rejoicing, for you are not a desolate wanderer but a beloved child, watched over, cared for, supplied, and defended by your Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Matthew 10:30
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           2) Psalm 37:23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 29 Apr 2022 14:15:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-29-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-28-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-28-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-28-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No Condemnation Now I Dread
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The eighth chapter of John’s Gospel is a spectacle in every which way. It is certainly one of the most consequential chapters in all the Gospels, offering a level of biblical significance that ought to make us stagger. The bulk of the chapter sees the Lord Jesus going back-and-forth with the religious aristocracy as they try to determine what to make of this Jesus guy. He’s just brazenly invoked the “I am” moniker in reference to himself (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%208%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 8:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), which you best believe has these “scribes and Pharisees” in a tizzy. They receive that declaration with a racket, claiming up and down that Jesus is obviously lying. “Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true,” they clamor (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%208%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 8:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This instigates a prolonged discussion on Jesus’s self-proclaimed identity as the “I am,” with not a few of these divine reminders thrown in for good measure (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%208%3A18%2C%2023%E2%80%9325%2C%2028%2C%2058/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 8:18, 23–25, 28, 58
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Jesus’s point is fairly obvious. He is the incarnate “I am.” But all this does is flummox and frustrate these religious somebodies, so much so, in fact, that they are ready to stone Jesus on the spot (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%208%3A59/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 8:59
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Clearly Jesus has struck a nerve. There was already a hullabaloo surrounding the Teacher from Galilee and what to do with him (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%207%3A40%E2%80%9353/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 7:40–53
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The events of chapter 8 seem to be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. The religious authorities are so fed up with this enigmatic miracle worker who’s heaven-bent on mercy that they leave this exchange with their tails between their legs desperate for a way to rid themselves of this Teacher once and for all. But it’s more than just Jesus’s theological repartee that sours the “scribes and Pharisees.” It’s his insistence on scandalizing them — and there’s no better glimpse into that than the first eleven verses of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%208/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We’re told that Jesus heads out “early in the morning” to go to the temple, where he begins teaching a crowd who had assembled around him. It was customary, in those days, to hear religious teachers publicly lecture on various spiritual matters and the finer points of the law. But as Jesus is teaching, the crowd begins to stir. There’s a commotion coming from back, which is finally revealed to be caused by the “scribes and Pharisees.” Now, normally, their presence in such a place wouldn’t cause such a ruckus. But this time, it’s who they have with them that’s disrupting the Lord’s lesson and distracting every gaze in that temple court. In the middle of that open courtyard, a gang of religious elites have dragged a woman whom they seized “in the very act” of adultery. “And the scribes and Pharisees,” St. John records, “brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%208%3A3%E2%80%935/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 8:3–5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It’s a devastating scene by every measure, and in more ways than one.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Take a moment, though, and sit in the shame and embarrassment of that moment. It’s audaciously humiliating and brutally degrading, with this woman’s infidelity and indiscretion being aired like dirty laundry for everyone to see. This deed is carried out by men who’d say that they have the most pious and righteous and law-abiding of intentions. “This is what the laws says we should do with law-breakers, and this woman’s a law-breaker. What say you, Teacher?” Their words have an explicitly “holier-than-thou” flair, but we ought not be fooled by their sanctimony. For one, they aren’t really concerned about this woman. They didn’t care about her life or her past or her situation. She was nothing more than a pawn in their scheme to catch Jesus “in the very act,” so to speak. That’s who they’re after. John says as much, commenting, “This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%208%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 8:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). This woman was just a piece in their elaborate plan to take Jesus down.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They think they have Jesus backed into a corner. If Jesus agrees with their judgment and says, “Let the stoning commence,” he would’ve been guilty of superseding Roman law, under which authorized magistrates of Rome were the only parties who could sanction executions. However, if Jesus let this woman go scot-free, he would’ve been guilty of violating Mosaic law, contradicting his Messianic claims and countering his previous testimony that he didn’t come to “destroy, but to fulfill” the law (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matt.%205%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 5:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). It’s a pickle, for sure. But Jesus doesn’t take their bait. He’s not interested in playing the Pharisees’ game. Therefore, knowing their endgame, knowing they’re just “tempting” him, Jesus disregards their predicament “as though he heard them not” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%208%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 8:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rather debate them he dismisses them, he flat out ignores them and their silly moral machinations. Instead, he stoops down to the ground and starts writing something in the dirt with his finger. Now, there’s a ton of speculation on what Jesus wrote. The short answer is: no one knows. Mainly because the Bible doesn’t tell us. However, considering what these words do to the Pharisees themselves, and taking into account similar biblical accounts, it’s safe to surmise that Jesus wrote a word of law.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All in all, there are three other instances where we’re told that the Lord wrote something with his finger(
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Exod.%2031%3A18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Exod. 31:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Deut.%209%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deut. 9:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Dan.%205%3A5%E2%80%936%2C%2022%E2%80%9328/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dan. 5:5–6, 22–28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). What stands out on each of those occasions is that the words that were written were words of law and/or judgment. Suffice to say, Jesus knew what he was doing when he bent down and began writing in the dust of the earth. In effect, he’s assuming the role of the law’s Author and Giver — almost as if to say, “The law you’re appealing to was penned by my hand.” I think the Pharisees got the entendre: “When they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, hje that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%208%3A7%E2%80%939/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 8:7–9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). After pressing him to give them an answer to their calculated moral and legal dilemma, Jesus stands and turns their dilemma back on them. “Okay,” he says, “step right up, you who are sinless, and let the first stone fly.” “Everyone who’s perfect, go ahead and start pelting her.” “Give her all you got, you who are guilt free.” Those words, I’m sure, were accompanied by a a deafening silence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus, then, stoops down (again), and writes in the dirt (again), letting that silence expose those pompous Pharisees for the religious charlatans that they are. And it works, as John tells us that they were all “convicted by their own conscience” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%208%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 8:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). One-by-one, they all start dropping their stones and leaving the scene, until, at last, there was no one left except for Jesus and the woman. And such is when the Lord Jesus does something entirely unforeseen and unexpected: “When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%208%3A10%E2%80%9311/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 8:10–11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord’s words to this woman are brimming with “grace and truth” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%201%3A14%2C%2017/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 1:14, 17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Rather than browbeat this disgraced woman with even more words of law, Jesus looks her in the eyes and says, “Don’t worry about your accusers, your wannabe executioners, I’ve taken care of them for you. Oh, and I’ve taken care of your condemnation, too. ‘Go and sin no more.’” Whoa! Did Jesus just say that? Wait, can Jesus say that? How? Is he making light of this woman’s sin? Is he excusing her infidelity? If that’s where your mind’s at, you’re no better off than the Pharisees.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus, of course, is the Word made flesh, God in skin and bone (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%201%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 1:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Therefore, when Jesus invites those who are “without sin” to start tossing stones, he’s throwing shade at the self-righteous Pharisees while also referencing himself. He is the Perfect One and the only One, mind you, who’s able to rightly and perfectly judge others according to the law with perfect judgment. As the only One, then, who’s “without sin,” he’s the only One who should’ve had a fistful of stones. And yet, what is Jesus doing? He’s stooping to the ground. This, I believe, is an incandescent image of the mission inherent to the Lord Jesus himself. As he makes a beeline for the cross, so, too, does Jesus’s words alluding to that mission grow more overt. What occurs here is an unmistakable portrait of the work he was about to “finish” on the cross. Namely, the work of “fulfilling all righteousness” for those who believe (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matt.%203%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 3:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Jesus ascends the cross, he is, likewise, completing the ultimate act of condescension. The events of Calvary constitute the the conclusive redemptive action of God, wherein he’s seen stooping down to where we are, to our place of failure, guilt, shame, and disgrace. And there, he takes all of that on himself, on his own shoulders. There he bears “our griefs” and carries “our sorrows” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Isa.%2053%3A4%E2%80%935/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 53:4–5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). On the cross, the Son of God absorbs the condemnation you and I rightly deserve in order that he might free us to live and walk “in newness of life” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%206%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 6:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He takes our old sin-riddled lives and buries them in the tomb that he walks out of, leaving them behind for good. This he does in order that he might give us “new life,” his life, that we might live with him and in him and for him, forever. As it is God’s prerogative, the word of divine pardon precedes the word of divine precept. “No condemnation” is always antecedent to notions of “walking worthy” — precisely because there is no way we can “walk worthy” unless there is “no condemnation.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/John/2CFi7X7NTeoC?hl=en" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           H. A. Ironside offers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            the same assessment: “But how could He say, ‘Neither do I condemn thee?’ Because of the fact that He was on His way to the cross, where in only a little while He was to take her sin upon Himself and to be dealt with as though He were the guilty one, to endure the wrath of God and to suffer, the Pure One for the impure, the Holy One to suffer for the unholy, He, the Righteous One, to suffer for the unrighteous.” (197)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This, then, is the fundamental announcement of the gospel. Our Judge (the one who can condemn us) has become our Advocate (the one who doesn’t condemn us) because he is also our Substitute (the one who takes our condemnation). The verdict we deserve was taken by him so that his account could become ours (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Cor.%205%3A21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 5:21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He silences the gavel of the law by bearing the brunt of its indictment “in his own body on the tree” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Pet.%202%3A24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Pet. 2:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Such is what he does for this woman. “He put Himself,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://archive.org/details/GCampbellMorgan-TheGospelAccordingToJohn_636/page/n3/mode/2up" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           G. Campbell Morgan comments
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “and His redeeming and atoning love and passion between her and her sin.” (150) Jesus silences her accusers, swallows her guilt with unmerited kindness, clears her record, and frees her to “sin no more.” This he did because he knew who he was: Christ the Redeemer, “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rev.%2013%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. 13:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Slain on account of our sin. And such is what he accomplishes for every sinner who believes on his name.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus takes our place, takes our sin, takes on our shame, and, in return, gives us a word of unconditional pardon: “Neither do I condemn thee” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%208%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 8:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). “Jesus takes,” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Between_Noon_and_Three/PyoS2iO64ugC?hl=en&amp;amp;gbpv=0" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Robert Capon attests
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , “all the badness down into the forgettery of his death and offers to the Father only what is held in the memory of his resurrection.” (232) From now on, our anthem is: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%208%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 8:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Forever we can sing:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No condemnation now I dread;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alive in Him, my living Head,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And clothed in righteousness divine,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/no-condemnation-now-i-dread" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/no-condemnation-now-i-dread
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 29 Apr 2022 02:21:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-28-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-27-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-27-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-27-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Feed My Sheep
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In this Easter Season it’s helpful to reflect on the deeper significance of Jesus’ resurrection. Indeed, so life changing is it, that it’s also useful to be equipped with answers to questions about it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ken Handley, a retired Justice of the Court of Appeal in New South Wales, Australia, has commented: ‘Most people who reject the resurrection do so with a closed mind without looking at the evidence. This is irrational and foolish. Jesus, the Son of God, who died to make us right with God, is calling each of us into a relationship with him which will involve faith, repentance, forgiveness and obedience. The Christian answers to those nagging personal questions make sense of the Cosmos and our place and purpose in it…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the opening segment of John 21 we learn that seven of Jesus’ disciples, including Simon Peter, went fishing on the Sea of Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) in the aftermath of Jesus’ resurrection. However, as they were returning to shore a voice called out asking if they had caught anything. Receiving a negative answer, the voice encouraged them to cast their nets on the right-hand side of the boat. Even though they didn’t know who it was, they followed the advice and quickly found that the nets were overfull with fish. ‘It is the Lord!’ John quietly said to Peter (21:7). Keen to see Jesus once again, Peter threw himself into the water.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As an eyewitness John the Gospel writer provides precise details: the boat was in shallow water, being only 100 yards offshore, and the catch of large fish numbered 153 (21:11). Fabricated accounts don’t give such unexpected detail. They found Jesus by a charcoal fire with fish laid out, as well as some bread. ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught’, Jesus said … ‘Come and have breakfast’ (21:12). Jesus not only turned out to be their provider that morning but cooked and served them breakfast – something apparitions cannot do (21:13).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           John records: it was the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead (21:14). And as we read on, we find that Jesus had a special word for Peter that day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ When Peter had first encountered the power of Jesus’ words, he had said, ‘Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord’ (Luke 5:8). And on the night of the Last Supper Peter had said, ‘Lord I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death’ only then to deny Jesus three times, as Jesus had predicted (Luke 22:33f).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Like us, Peter was a sinner, in need of forgiveness. He sorely wanted Jesus’ assurance. He knew that without Jesus’ forgiveness their relationship would be broken; it would also mean that he could never be what Jesus had said he would be one day, ‘catching men and women’ – with God’s good news. (Luke 5:10).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ Jesus asked him. Three times Jesus asked the question. Three times Peter had denied the Lord, and now, three times Peter responded, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you’. Humbled and grieved for his failures, Peter felt the force of Jesus’ questioning. So much so that his third response reveals the depth of his contrition, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you’ (21:17). The thrice repeated questions and Peter’s answers, assure Peter, in front of the other disciples, that the Lord had fully and freely forgiven him. It was a special word for Peter and for us all.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Furthermore, Jesus now had work for him to do. For with his response to Jesus’ three questions, he is commissioned with, ‘Feed my lambs’, ‘feed my sheep’ – God’s people, the children and the adults, the young in the faith as well as those who are mature in their faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The imagery of shepherd and sheep bubbles throughout the Bible. In Psalm 23 David speaks of the Lord as his shepherd and John chapter 10 records Jesus’ words, ‘I am the Good Shepherd (10:11, 14). Psalm 100 says, Know the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Isaiah chapter 40, verse 11 tells us, He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Verse 6 of Isaiah chapter 53 begins with a sobering note about everyone of us, All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to our own way; and then foreshadows what God will do, And the Lord has laid on him (the suffering servant – the Son of God) the iniquity of us all. It is a prophetic word about the significance of the death of Jesus: Christ died in our place (Romans 5:6, 8).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeremiah chapter 3, verse 15 sets out another facet of God’s plans for his people, ‘I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding’. These words stand behind Jesus’ charge to Peter as well as those of Paul the Apostle in his Letter to the Ephesians when he speaks of God giving various ministries to his people – some as apostles (the foundational ministries), some as prophets, some as evangelists, and others as pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11f).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The ministry of God’s Word is the key to effective pastoral care and the growth of God’s people. Without announcing God’s good news, how will people be rescued? (Romans 10:14f) Unless God’s people are taught God’s truth, how will they grow in their love for the Lord?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           (Colossians 3:16f). How will we know that all men and women, created equal in God’s eyes, are designed to know and love him, and enjoy him forever? How will we know what true compassion and justice are? Without God’s external written revelation, how will understand that our reasoning and decisions are so often flawed? God alone can teach us the wisdom we need for life in a self-centered world until the day of the return of his King.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his First Letter, Peter says, shepherd the flock of God among you … And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory (1 Peter 5:2, 4).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you love me? the risen Jesus asks. Feed my sheep – children and teenagers, unmarried and married, and the elderly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly living; give us grace so that we may always thankfully receive the immeasurable benefit of his sacrifice, and also daily endeavor to follow in the blessed steps of his most holy life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for evermore. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/feed-my-sheep/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/feed-my-sheep/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 Apr 2022 15:20:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-27-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-26-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-26-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-26-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Ascension
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These men had spent three years in a state of unspeakable joy. They had witnessed what no human beings before them had ever seen in the entire course of history. Their eyes peered openly at things angels themselves longed to look into but were unable. Their ears heard what ancient saints had a fierce desire to hear with their own ears. These men were the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth. They were His students. They were His companions. Where He went, they went. What He said, they heard. What He did, they saw with their own eyes. These were the original eyewitnesses of the earthly ministry of the Son of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But one day, these men heard from the lips of their teacher the worst of all possible news. Jesus told them that He was leaving them. He told them that the days of their intimate companionship in this world were coming to a hasty end. Imagine the shock and profound panic that filled the hearts of these disciples when Jesus said that it was just about over.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2016/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            we read what Jesus said: “‘A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.’ So some of his disciples said to one another, ‘What is this that he says to us, “A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me”; and, “because I am going to the Father”?’ So they were saying, ‘What does he mean by “a little while”? We do not know what he is talking about.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, ‘Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, “A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me”? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you’” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2016%3A16%E2%80%9322/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 16:16–22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Just shortly before this enigmatic statement, Jesus had said to His disciples: “But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” (vv. 5–7).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the first instance, Jesus says that their hearts will not simply be touched by sorrow or grief or disappointment, but there will be a fullness of sorrow that saturates the chambers of their hearts. They will be overcome with grief. Their mourning will reach the limits of its human capacity. But Jesus says the condition that they will experience will be temporary, that the sense of abandonment they may feel for a moment will give way to unspeakable joy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus also explains why He must leave them. He says that it is expedient or necessary for Him to go away so that the disciples may be filled with the Holy Spirit. What sounds like an absolute disadvantage, Jesus promises will turn into an advantage. In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%201%3A9%E2%80%9311/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 1:9–11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            we read, “And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’” The disciples watched Jesus leave them. They gazed, staring intently into the heavens as long as their eyes had any sight of Him, at which point two angels came and asked them why they were staring into heaven. The angels then told them that the same Jesus who visibly and bodily ascended would come in like manner at a later time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke tells us in his gospel account of the ascension (24:50–53): “Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” We notice here the complete fulfillment of what Jesus had predicted — the fullness of their sorrow that had completely engulfed them at the hearing of the news of His departure, had given way not only to contentment, not only to acceptance, not only to joy, but to a great and fulfilling joy. They returned from their last sight of Jesus with their hearts filled with elation. How can that be? The obvious answer is found in that the disciples came to understand the significance of the ascension. As hard as it was to fathom, they came to believe that Jesus’ absence from them was of more benefit than His bodily presence with them, the reason being where He was going and what He was about to undertake.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%203%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 3:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jesus declared, “No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.” That verse sounds difficult at first glance when we realize that in the Old Testament, Enoch ascended into heaven in the sense that he was carried there, as was Elijah when the chariots of fire lifted him up into the heavens. When Jesus speaks of ascension, He’s not speaking of merely “going up.” He is speaking of something in technical terms. He is thinking in terms of the Psalms of Ascent that celebrated the anointing of a king (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Pss.%20120%E2%80%9334/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pss. 120–34
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). When Jesus says no one ascends into heaven, it is true that no one ascends or goes to heaven in the same manner or for the same purpose that He went there. He was lifted up on clouds of glory in order to go to His Father for the purpose of His coronation as our King — as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He ascended into heaven to fulfill His role as our Great High Priest, interceding for His people daily. So as He sits at the right hand of the Father, exercising His lordship over the whole world and His intercession before the Father on behalf of His people, He improves our condition dramatically. Not only this, but before Pentecost could come and the Holy Spirit could be poured out upon the church, empowering the church for its missionary enterprise to the whole world, it was necessary for Christ to ascend so that together with the Father He might dispatch from heaven the Holy Spirit in all of His power.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As hard as it is to imagine, the condition that we enjoy right now on this side of the atonement, on this side of the resurrection, this side of the ascension, and this side of Pentecost is, redemptively speaking, a greater situation than that which the disciples enjoyed during their three-year tenure in the presence of the Lord Jesus. We celebrate the ascension because we celebrate our King.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/ascension" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/ascension
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 Apr 2022 15:18:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-26-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-25-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-25-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-25-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Open the Door
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Revelation%203:20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Revelation 3:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is your desire this evening? Is it focused on heavenly things? Do you long to enjoy the high doctrine of eternal love? Do you desire liberty in very close communion with God? Do you aspire to know the heights and depths and lengths and breadths of His love? Then you must draw near to Jesus; you must get a clear sight of Him in His preciousness and completeness: you must view Him in His work—in His role as prophet, friend, and king—and in His person. He who understands Christ, receives an anointing from the Holy One, by which He knows all things. Christ is the great master-key of all the chambers of God: There is no treasure-house of God that will not open and yield up all its wealth to the soul that lives near to Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are you saying, “I wish that He would live in my heart and make it His dwelling-place forever”? Open the door, beloved, and He will come into your soul. He has been knocking continually in order that you and He may break bread together. He eats with you because you provide the house or the heart, and you with Him because He brings the meal. He could not eat with you if it were not in your heart, you finding the house; nor could you eat with Him, for you would have an empty table if He did not bring the food with Him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fling wide, then, the portals of your soul. He will come with that love that you long to feel; He will come with that joy into which you cannot work your poor depressed spirit; He will bring the peace that now you do not have; He will come with His flagons of wine and sweet apples of love and will cheer you until you have no other sickness but that of overpowering, divine love. Only open the door to Him, drive out His enemies, give Him the keys of your heart, and He will live there forever. What wondrous love that brings such a guest to dwell in such a heart!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 25 Apr 2022 13:42:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-25-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-22-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-22-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-22-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Sleepless Guardian
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You will not fear the terror of the night.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2091:5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Psalms 91:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is this “terror”? It may be the cry of fire or the noise of thieves or intrigued appearances or the shriek of sudden sickness or death. We live in the world of death and sorrow; we may anticipate facing ills and difficulties during the night as well as in the glare of the noonday sun. This should not alarm us, for whatever the terror may be, the promise is that the believer shall not be afraid. Why should he be?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let us put this more closely—why should we? God our Father is here, and will be with us all through the lonely hours. He is an almighty Watcher, a sleepless Guardian, a faithful Friend. Nothing can happen without His direction, for even hell itself is under His control. Darkness is not dark to Him. He has promised to be a wall of fire around His people—and who can break through such a barrier?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Unbelievers may well be afraid, for they have an angry God above them, a guilty conscience within them, and a yawning hell beneath them. But we who rest in Jesus are saved from all these by His rich mercy. If we give way to foolish fear, we will dishonor our testimony and lead others to doubt the reality of godliness. We ought to be afraid of being afraid, in case we should grieve the Holy Spirit by foolish distrust. Down, then, you dismal forebodings and groundless apprehensions—God has not forgotten to be gracious, nor held back His tender mercies. It may be night in the soul, but there need be no terror, for the God of love does not change.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Children of light may walk in darkness, but they are not therefore cast away. No, they are now enabled to prove their adoption by trusting in their heavenly Father in a way that hypocrites cannot do.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Though the night be dark and dreary,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Darkness cannot hide from Thee;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           You are He, who, never weary,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watchest where Your people be.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 25 Apr 2022 13:36:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-22-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-21-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-21-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-21-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I Kind of Like it
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "I was glad when they said to me,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Psalm%20122%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 122:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Quite a few years ago on a Sunday morning, my dear wife was loading up our young kids for weekly worship when one of the men re-roofing our hail-damaged home gave her a good-natured ribbing: “I suppose you have to go to church every week?” To which she replied: “Yeah, and I kind of like it.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I kind of like it. This response still brings a smile to my face.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Due to a variety of reasons, there have been weekends over the past two years where I have preached at six services or more. Fortunately, such a schedule doesn’t lack opportunities for humility from both my family and my own frailty: “Dad, no offense, but I’m not sure your sermons are good enough to preach six times.” And, too often, my own prayer before the final service of the weekend: “Lord, get me through it.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And while six services might be a bit much, today I give thanks for the timely reminder: I kind of like it, too.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I like how the same hymn gets repeated and ingrained into my memory. Or a phrase of the hymn. Or a note the musician misses, (or, more likely), I miss.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I like how someone far more poetical than I turns a phrase in a prayer, a phrase that says so much: “Lord, who’s glory it is always to show mercy.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I like how the Psalmist’s cries become my own. And the Lord’s ears are still attentive, always attentive.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I like how the word “Father” in the creed brings so much comfort; how the saints on earth and the heavenly host join their voices in one song of praise, whether ten have gathered or two hundred; how the bene-diction (the good word) is for me as it has been for all of God’s children for three thousand plus years.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            I like how God’s people come and go, each in their own way, some with smiles and a few with scowls; encouraging me and others by their presence in so many ways, they cannot possibly begin to know.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And while so much remains the same week after week, the past years have taught me how much changes. And I kind of like it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As I write this, it’s one of those strange weeks where family responsibilities and a little weekend vacation have taken me away from my parish; away from the sights, sounds, and the familiar smells and away from the people I am privileged to serve. And while I will miss that which is familiar, and the people I love, I am also thankful for the opportunity to see it all from a different angle, and to be reminded about what I can so easily take for granted: that our Father is good and gracious in this other place(s), as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God has designed us for such a time as this. A time for refreshing, for renewal, for the sights, sounds, and smells of that which is familiar and strikingly new again. He has designed us for rest in a word from a feeble preacher’s voice and in wimpy wafer and wine, a Jesus who was, is, and shall be for you, and not against you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The past few years have taught me again how blessed I am to know the Father’s voice, the Son’s sacrifice, and the gathering of the community around the forgiveness of sins, completely won and freely given.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And–I kind of like it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/i-kind-of-like-it" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/i-kind-of-like-it
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 25 Apr 2022 13:35:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-21-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-20-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-20-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-20-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Secure Hope...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The story is told of an Easter dawn in a Russian prison camp in the days of the USSR. A voice called out, ‘Christ is risen!’ and, despite the command for silence, a chorus of voices responded, ‘He is risen indeed!’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The events of the first Easter Day awakened the world to the dawning of a new era and with it the assurance that there is more to life than our experiences now.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In our troubled, conflicted and war-ravaged world, how encouraging this is. The resurrection of Jesus reveals that death need not be the end, but the door to life in all its fullness and joy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now you may dismiss the resurrection as fake news because it conflicts with the natural laws, the regularities scientists observe about the operation of the universe. However, such laws don’t prevent God from intervening and overruling whenever he chooses – bringing about an event that we speak of as a miracle.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the opening lines of Luke 24 we read: But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they (the women) came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first witnesses. There would have been no joy in the hearts of those women in that early morning. They had watched as Jesus died. Now, filled with grief as they trudged to his grave, laden with heavy spices and ointments for his burial, they were confused and despairing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But more disquieting news was to come. When they arrived at the grave, they found the massive stone that had closed the grave entrance, had been rolled away. What could have happened? Was it thieves? Was it some underhand action on the part of the authorities? They were totally out of their depth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. And as they were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen…” (24:4-6a).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘If you want to find Jesus, you’ve come to the wrong place,’ the angels said. “Remember how he told you while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise again…’” (24:6b,7).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The angels themselves could have explained the empty tomb. But instead, they focussed on the weight and authority of Jesus’ own words: ‘Remember what he told you,’ they said.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How important this is. The gospel writers want us to hear Jesus’ explanation of what he did and why. He had spoken of the events that had now come to pass. He had already explained why it had to happen. And, with this reminder, the women remembered (24:8).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is easy for us today to forget Jesus’ words when we learn troubling news. We forget that Jesus not only predicted his death and resurrection, as well as the fall of Jerusalem (which occurred in 70AD), but he also spoke of earthquakes, conflicts and wars that would occur before his return.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Paul in his Letter to the Romans writes, We know that the whole of creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved … But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience (Romans 8:22-24a, 25).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           During his ministry, Jesus had spoken twice about his death and resurrection. He had come as the savior who would address our greatest human need. He would deliver us from God’s just judgement and open the great doors into God’s kingdom.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ words at the Last Supper are key: ‘This is my body given for you,’ he said. ‘This is my blood shed for you.’ Scholars agree that these words are probably the most reliably preserved statements of earliest Christianity. We find them in First Corinthians, written around 50AD, and also in Matthew, Mark and Luke, written no later than the 60s.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Love it or hate it, the evidence that Jesus thought of his death as a sacrifice or ransom for sins is strong.’ In fact, when we read Luke as a whole we see that his emphasis on Jesus’ death is so strong we begin to understand that the crucifixion is about God’s justice and love. It was why Jesus came.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Love and justice both matter to God. To say, as some do, that Jesus death was some kind of cosmic child abuse, is to forget that the New Testament insists that he was not coerced into dying at Calvary. Jesus laid down his life voluntarily. In John chapter 10, verse 18 we read Jesus’ words: ‘No one takes it (my life) from me, but I lay it down of my own accord…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The New Testament is clear. In the case of men and women God is the wronged party. Yet, in his love, he chose to enter the world in person and bear the punishment that we, the wrong-doers deserve. He, the judge has paid the fine owed to him by us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ resurrection confirms for us the truth and trustworthiness of what he has done.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The women who went to the tomb did remember Jesus’ words. And what a difference it made. They didn’t stay at the tomb. Suddenly energised with new vitality and joy they rushed off to tell their friends the breaking news. Who doesn’t want to share good news?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And Dr Luke, that very careful historian, wants us to know that even though the first witnesses to the empty tomb were women, their witness is true. It’s one of the reasons he identifies them by name: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James (Luke 24:10). They were perfectly sane and sensible people, people of integrity. In fact, Luke implies, if you want to find out for yourself, go and talk to them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How important remembering is for us. How often we forget the words of Scripture. In good times we forget because things are going well. But we also forget God’s words of comfort and assurance when life gets tough – in times of drought or flood, injustice and war. Or you may be single, longing for a partner; you may be in a loveless marriage; you may be longing for a job; you may have a sick or dying loved one.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We need to remember that we are never alone. We have a secure hope. Through his death and resurrection Jesus is the pioneer who leads us into life in a new era in all its fullness and joy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty God, you have conquered death through your dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ and have opened to us the gate of everlasting life: grant us by your grace to set our mind on things above, so that by your continual help our whole life may be transformed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit in everlasting glory. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://anglicanconnection.com/a-secure-hope/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 20 Apr 2022 13:34:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-20-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-19-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-19-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-19-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus, Our Substitute
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The word vicarious is extremely important to our understanding of the atonement of Christ. The late Swiss theologian Karl Barth once said that, in his judgment, the single most important word in all of the Greek New Testament is the minuscule word huper. This little word is translated by the English phrase “in behalf of.” Barth was clearly engaging in a bit of hyperbole in making this statement, because many words in the New Testament are arguably as important or even more important than huper, but he was simply seeking to call attention to the importance of what is known in theology as the vicarious aspect of the ministry of Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He made satisfaction for our debt, our enmity with God, and our guilt. He satisfied the ransom demand for our release from captivity to sin. However, there is another significant word that is often used in descriptions of the atonement: substitution. When we look at the biblical depiction of sin as a crime, we see that Jesus acts as the Substitute, taking our place at the bar of God’s justice. For this reason, we sometimes speak of Jesus’ work on the cross as the substitutionary atonement of Christ, which means that when He offered an atonement, it was not to satisfy God’s justice for His own sins, but for the sins of others. He stepped into the role of the Substitute, representing His people. He didn’t lay down His life for Himself; He laid it down for His sheep. He is our ultimate Substitute.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The idea of being the Substitute in offering an atonement to satisfy the demands of God’s law for others was something Christ understood as His mission from the moment He entered this world and took upon Himself a human nature. He came from heaven as the gift of the Father for the express purpose of working out redemption as our Substitute, doing for us what we could not possibly do for ourselves. We see this at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry, when He initiated His public work by coming to the Jordan River and meeting John the Baptist.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Imagine the scene at the Jordan that day. John was busy baptizing the people in preparation for the coming of the kingdom. Suddenly he looked up and saw Jesus approaching. He spoke the words that later became the lyrics for that great hymn of the church, the Agnus Dei: “‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%201%3A29b/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 1:29b
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He announced that Jesus was the One Who had come to bear the sin of His people. In His person, He would fulfill all of what was symbolized in the Old Testament sacrificial system, by which a lamb was slaughtered and burned on the altar as an offering before God to represent atonement for sin. The lamb was a substitute, so in calling Jesus “the Lamb of God,” John was asserting that He, too, would be a Substitute, but One Who would make real atonement.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus came to John and, to John’s horror, asked to be baptized. Scripture gives us John’s reaction to this request. “John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?’” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matt.%203%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 3:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). That simple statement must have masked a deep confusion on John’s part. He had just announced that Jesus was the Lamb of God, and in order to serve as the perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of His people, the Lamb of God had to be without blemish. He had to be completely sinless. But the ritual of baptism that John was calling all of Israel to undergo in preparation for the coming of the Messiah was a rite that symbolized cleansing from sin. So John said, in essence, “It would be absurd for me to baptize You, because You are the sinless Lamb of God.” John then put forth an alternative idea: Jesus should baptize him. This was John’s way of acknowledging that he was a sinner who needed cleansing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus overrode John’s protest. “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness’” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matt.%203%3A15a/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 3:15a
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Jesus’ choice of words in this statement is interesting. First He said, “Permit it to be so now.” The fact that Jesus gave His command to John in these particular words shows that He understood there was some theological difficulty involved. It was as if Jesus was saying, “John, I know you don’t understand what’s happening here, but you can trust Me. Go ahead and baptize Me.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, Jesus went on to give an explanation as to why John should baptize Him. He said, “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” The word fitting here can also be translated as “necessary.” In other words, Jesus said it was necessary for Him to be baptized. How was it necessary? John the Baptist had come as a prophet from God. Jesus would say later, “Among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%207%3A28a/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 7:28a
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Through this prophet, God had given His covenant people a new command: they were to be baptized. We should never think that God stopped expressing His will to His people after He spoke the Tenth Commandment. A multitude of laws was added to the basic Ten Commandments after they were given. The command that His people undergo this cleansing rite to prepare for the breakthrough of the divine kingdom was merely the latest edict from God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Before He could go to the cross, before He could fulfill the role of the Lamb of God, before He could make Himself an oblation to satisfy the demands of God’s justice, Jesus had to submit Himself to every detail of every law God had given to the nation. He had to represent His people before the bar of God’s justice in every detail. Since the law now required that all of the people be baptized, Jesus, too, had to be baptized. He had to fulfill every single commandment of God if He was to be sinless. He wasn’t asking John to baptize Him because He needed to be cleansed; He wanted to be baptized so that He could be obedient to His Father in every detail.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That’s the point Jesus was making here to John, because Jesus’ mission was to be the Substitute, the vicarious sacrifice offered to God. Jesus understood this and embraced it. From the start of His ministry, He knew He had come to act as a Substitute on behalf of His sheep. At the center of His teaching was the assertion that He was doing this not for Himself but for us—to redeem us, to ransom us, to save us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/jesus-our-substitute" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/jesus-our-substitute
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 19 Apr 2022 12:42:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-19-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-18-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-18-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-18-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "You Said"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But you said, I will surely do you good.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Genesis%2032:12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Genesis 32:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When Jacob was on the other side of the brook Jabbok, and Esau was coming with armed men, Jacob earnestly sought God’s protection, and the ground of his appeal was this: “But you said, I will surely do you good.” What force is in that plea! He was holding God to His word—“You said.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The attribute of God’s faithfulness is a splendid horn of the altar to lay hold upon; but the promise, which contains the attribute and something more, is mightier still—“You said, I will surely do you good.” Would He say it and then not do it? “Let God be true though everyone were a liar.”1 Will He not be true? Will He not keep His word? Will not every word that comes out of His lips stand fast and be fulfilled?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Solomon, at the opening of the temple, used this same mighty plea. He pleaded with God to remember the word that He had spoken to his father David and to bless that place.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When a man gives a promissory note, his honor is engaged; he signs his name, and he must honor it when the due time comes or else he loses credit. It shall never be said that God dishonors His bills. The credit of the Most High was never impeached, and never shall be. He is punctual to the second: He is never before His time, but He is never behind it. Search God’s Word through, and compare it with the experience of God’s people, and you will find the two tally from beginning to end. Many an ancient patriarch has said with Joshua, “Not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass.”2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you have a divine promise, you need not plead it with an “if”; you may urge it with certainty. The Lord meant to fulfill the promise or He would not have given it. God does not give His words merely to keep us quiet and to keep us hopeful for a while with the intention of putting us off in the end; but when He speaks, it is because He means to do as He has said.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Romans 3:4
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           2) Joshua 23:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 Apr 2022 14:53:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-18-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-15-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-15-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-15-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lifted Up
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2028:9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Psalms 28:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s people need to be carried. They are very heavy by nature. They have no wings, or if they have, they are like the dove of old that lay among the pots; and they need divine grace to make them rise up on wings covered with silver and with feathers of yellow gold. By nature sparks fly upward, but the sinful souls of men fall downward.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           O Lord, “carry them forever”! David himself said, “To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul,”1 and here he feels the necessity that other men’s souls should be lifted up as well as his own. When you ask for this blessing, do not forget to seek it for others also.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are three ways in which God’s people require to be carried or lifted up. They require to be lifted up in character. Lift them up, Lord; do not allow Your people to be like the rest of the world! The world lies in the wicked one; lift them out of it! The world’s people are looking for silver and gold, seeking their own pleasures and the gratification of their lusts; but, Lord, carry Your people up beyond all this; keep them from being “muck-rakers,” as John Bunyan calls the man who was always scraping for gold! Set their hearts upon their risen Lord and the heavenly heritage!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Moreover, believers need to be carried in conflict. In the battle, if they seem to fall, Lord, be pleased to give them the victory. If the foot of the enemy is upon their necks for a moment, help them to grasp the sword of the Spirit and eventually to win the battle. Lord, lift up Your children’s spirits in the day of conflict; do not let them sit in the dust, mourning forever. Do not allow the adversary to disturb their peace and make them fret; but if they have been, like Hannah, persecuted, let them sing of the mercy of a delivering God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We may also ask our Lord to carry them at the last! Lift them up by taking them home; carry their bodies from the tomb, and raise their souls to Your eternal kingdom in glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Psalm 25:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 15 Apr 2022 14:31:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-15-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Final Four '22 Outreach Game Summary - Pics</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/final-four-22-outreach-game-summary-pics</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 11 labors for the Final Four '22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Final+Four+2022+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/BobbyMcCreery?__cft__[0]=AZU1m_1DhcmML-alyQlng1YANgu7Qz7a7OGmEQtbeAUeIIV7hteJKyMi62pjHrWPEzZUoqPSoiUyLGlAqRYtyCLzm-9_Pg8OJCz0pBAHStKo_Q&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise the Lord for a fruitful time in New Orleans for the Final Four. Wonderful team of evangelists labored together for 4 days 8 hours / day. New Orleans is always interesting. Lots of fans and local citizens hearing the Word and being ministered to in the moment. If you are looking for a city to preach in full-time New Orleans needs you and the team you would develop.  Joe Hinson Anthony Bearden Charles Hocker Bobby McCreery   Here's some pictures
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           :
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/final-four#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/final-four#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 14 Apr 2022 21:04:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/final-four-22-outreach-game-summary-pics</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Final+Four+2022+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Final Four '22 Outreach Game Summary</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/final-four-22-outreach-game-summary</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 11 labors for the Final Four '22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Final+Four+2022+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These videos are from the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship called the Final Four over many years.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKxt8o5UX-byRpSSgi5uoPE-x2BmDWNqq" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch more videos &amp;gt;&amp;gt;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/final-four#GameSummaries"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/final-four#GameSummaries
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 14 Apr 2022 20:54:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/final-four-22-outreach-game-summary</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Final+Four+2022+ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-14-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-14-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-14-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You are Bloody Forgiven
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After staying with some friends in the town of Bethany, Jesus and his disciples made their way up to Jerusalem. The yearly springtime pilgrimage to Jerusalem was cause for celebration. As green blades of spring burst from the cold earth and birds begin their springtime song, the whole earth seems to join in the joy of the Passover feast, the deliverance of God’s people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The days ahead would overflow with hymns, feasting, and recalling the promises God made and fulfilled. As the Passover meal was shared, Jesus and his disciples would recall the wonders God performed in Egypt, their deliverance, and the saving blood of the lamb on their doorposts that first Passover night.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After the first Passover and exodus from Egypt, God made a covenant with the people by the mountain of Sinai. He would be their God, and they would be his people. He promised to bring them to a good land prepared in advance for them (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ex.%2023%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 23:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). After proclaiming this new covenant, the Lord sealed it with blood.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all the words (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ex.%2024%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 24:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If there’s one thing bloody thing we learn from the covenants of the Old Testament, it is just that: covenants always involve blood. Where there is a covenant, where there is covering of sin, there is always blood. God provided a way of rescue for his people, but it always involved blood.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Israel’s deliverance from slavery, the gift of the promised land, and the covenant God made at Sinai was all was cause for celebration. As the sun rose that spring morning on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, the disciples looked to Jesus to direct them to a place in which they could prepare to eat the Passover meal together (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Mark%2014%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 14:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing, it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins’” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matt.%2026%3A26-28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 26:26-28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was new. Of all the Passover festivals they had celebrated together with Jesus, this was different. Jesus spoke these new words at the feast. But what does this mean? It means that the words of the prophet Jeremiah had come to their fulfillment:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke…For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jer.%2032%3A31-32%2C%2034/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jer. 32:31-32, 34
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You are bloody forgiven of all your sins with the holy blood of Christ shed and given for you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Instead of the backdrop of Mount Sinai, Jesus institutes this new meal, this new covenant, with the backdrop of Mount Calvary. Covenants in the way of the Old Testament always involved blood, often the blood of the lamb and this covenant would be no different. This covenant, however, would be sealed once and for all with the blood of the true Passover Lamb, the holy Lamb of God, Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This Holy Week, we ponder the work of Christ for us. We meditate on God’s Word and celebrate the glorious resurrection of Christ, who was crucified for us, for our sin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And today, Maundy Thursday, we receive the feast of Christ’s true body and blood for us, for the forgiveness of our sins. All of them. Not one of them past, present, or future left behind. You are bloody forgiven of all your sins with the holy blood of Christ shed and given for you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In this feast we take Christ’s words, and, as Martin Luther would say, “let Christ Himself be responsible for them.” But, how can this ordinary bread be his true body and ordinary wine be his true blood? How can there be forgiveness for all my sins found in such ordinary means? We respond in like as Mary responded after asking the angel, “how will this be,” with “let it be to me according to your word.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we receive this feast of salvation given for us, we respond in thanksgiving with, Amen!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord has saved us from our bondage to sin, death, and the devil. The Lord has forgiven all our iniquities and the blood of Jesus, our Passover Lamb has marked us as his own.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/you-are-bloody-forgiven" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/you-are-bloody-forgiven
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 14 Apr 2022 14:25:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-14-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-13-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-13-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-13-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Last Supper...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why? Why, despite all the hopes and dreams that with globalization the world would become a better place, is there an aggressive and intrusive war against a peaceful neighbor, Ukraine? Why is it that the four freedoms defined by FD Roosevelt in 1941, ‘freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear’, are in danger of being subverted in varying ways in the spheres of politics, the media and social media, education and family life?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why, two millennia ago, did Jesus of Nazareth die? He lived a life of unquestionable purity: he was never accused of lying. He showed compassion for the needy and the outcast, and revealed his unique divine power and authority in his care, his teaching and debating. And when Pilate, the Roman governor in Judea, asked him at his trial what he had done, he had responded, “My kingdom is not of this world…, implying there is more to life than our present experience (John 18:36).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke chapter 22 records Jesus’ words at a Passover meal with his disciples – what became known as The Last Supper. When he broke the bread and gave it to his disciples he said: ‘This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me’ (Luke 22:19).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Passover is a special occasion for the Jewish people as they remember the time God had passed over their homes when they were enslaved in Egypt around 1200BC bringing about their release. Passover became the annual celebration of God’s goodness and grace and the freedom they came to enjoy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Passover looks back. On the night of the first Passover, God decreed that every Hebrew household should take an unblemished lamb, slaughter it, and sprinkle the blood on the door posts of their homes. Each household was to have roast lamb for their evening meal. God promised that his angel of death would pass over every household where the blood of a lamb was on the doorposts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But it also looks forward. Twelve centuries later, Luke records that Jesus carefully prepared a Passover meal with his disciples on the night before his death. It was a time when the Jewish people had once again lost their political freedom. For some six centuries they had been puppets to super-powers and now they lived at the pleasure of the Roman emperor.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Passover signified freedom. And even the gloomiest of Israel’s prophets, Jeremiah, spoke of a new day of hope: The days are coming when I (God) will make a new covenant with the house of Israel … I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people… for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When Jesus prepared to celebrate Passover with his friends, patriotic feelings were running high. Believing people in Jerusalem would have been remembering the exodus from Egypt. When Jewish families gathered for Passover they would say, ‘Today we are slaves. Perhaps next Passover we shall be free.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At his Last Supper with his disciples Jesus dropped a thunderbolt. For when he took the bread, gave thanks, and broke it, he gave it to them and saying, ‘This is my body, given for you’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The breaking of the unleavened bread is a vital part of the Passover. Every Jewish family member around the table knew by heart the words the host would recite: ‘This is the bread of affliction that our fathers ate in the land of Egypt. All who hunger, let them come and eat, All who are in need and let them celebrate the Passover…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Jesus words are electrifying. He didn’t say: ‘This is the bread of affliction,’ but rather, ‘This bread is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance…’ not of the Passover but, ‘of me’. He has made his body, his dead body, the focus of the Passover meal.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And that raises something else that was strange about this Passover meal. Roast lamb would have been the center-piece of the meal. Peter and John may have prepared the meal, but there is no mention of lamb in any of the Gospel records. Jesus was telling them, and is telling us now, that he is the sacrificial lamb around which the new Passover feast must revolve.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is reinforced with his further surprising words. For when he took the cup of wine at the end of the meal, he said; ‘This cup is the cup of the new covenant’ (Luke 22:20).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘The Passovers you have been celebrating over the years,’ Jesus is saying, ‘look forward to God’s new covenant. Well, Passover is about to find its fulfilment. This is the last Passover of the old age and the first Passover of the new age.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeremiah said of the new covenant that God will forgive their wicked ways and remember their sin no more. The self-focused desires of people’s hearts had ruined the old covenant relationship with God. Jesus had not come to save his people from Roman oppression.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Neither did he come simply to restore peace – safety and security, prosperity and a good lifestyle. No. Jesus came to save his first followers, and you and me today, from our deepest need – our love of self and our indifference to God. And he has done it in exactly the same way that the lamb had saved the Hebrews on that first Passover night. As he said at the Last Supper, he gave his body and he shed his blood as the Passover lamb to rescue us from death.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Responding to a question about his reason for writing The Lord of the Flies, William Golding reportedly said, I believed then, that men and women were sick – not exceptional humanity, but average men and women. I believed that the condition of men and women was to be a morally diseased creation and that the best job I could do at the time was to trace the connection between their diseased nature and the international mess they get themselves into.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Imagine for a moment you were the first-born in a Hebrew family at that first Passover. A lamb had been slaughtered, the blood sprinkled on the doorposts, and you awoke the next day to the sound of wailing from every Egyptian household. For in each home someone had died. You thought for a moment, and then you really woke up: ‘That lamb died instead of me! Because that lamb died, God spared me’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘This is my body, given for you.’ ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood,’ Jesus said. (Luke 22:19-20). ‘I chose to die in your place, to save you from the second death, God’s just condemnation,’ he is saying.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Elsewhere Jesus speaks of wars and rumors of wars in this world. And in another place he says: ‘I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him, who after he has killed, has authority to cast you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! (Luke 12:4-5).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ resurrection from the dead authenticates all his words and actions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At The Lord’s Supper, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer sets out Jesus’ death as the one oblation of himself, once offered, a full, perfect and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When we come to Communion we are called upon to truly and earnestly repent of our sins… with the intention of leading a new life, … walking in the Lord’s holy ways. We are to draw near with faith to the Lord Jesus Christ, our one and only Savior. He is our only hope in life and death. (1662 Book of Common Prayer, Service of The Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Prayer for Maundy Thursday / Good Friday. Almighty Father, look graciously upon your people, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Addendum:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Below is a revised form for the concluding segment of the Thanksgiving before taking communion, that is found in A Service for Today’s Church – Communion. The section is adapted from the Passover prayers filtered through the lens of the New Testament. A Service for Today’s Church was developed in consultation with others and is approved for use in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney and at Christ Church New York City.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           – – –
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The minister addresses the congregation: On the night he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “This is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup saying, “This cup is the new covenant sealed by my blood. Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Taking the bread the minister gives thanks: Almighty God, we thank you for this bread, and for all you provide to sustain us. Above all, merciful Father, we thank you for Christ your Son, given for the life of the world. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Breaking the bread in the sight of all, the minister says: This bread we break is a participation in the body of Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All respond: Thank you, Father, for making us one with Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Taking the cup the minister gives thanks. Almighty God, we thank you for this fruit of the vine, and for every good gift that gives us joy. We thank you above all for Christ our Lord, by whose blood you have bought us and bound us to be your people in an everlasting covenant. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indicating the cup, the minister says: This cup for which we give thanks is a participation in the blood of Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All respond: Thank you, Father, for making us yours forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come, let us take this holy sacrament of the body and blood of Christ in remembrance that he died for us, and feed on him in our hearts by faith with thanksgiving.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://anglicanconnection.com/the-last-supper/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 Apr 2022 13:43:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-13-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-12-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-12-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-12-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Important Contexts for Understanding Reformed Theology
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Most Christians understand the importance of context for properly interpreting Scripture. We realize that the books of Scripture were written thousands of years ago in cultures very different from ours and in languages we do not grow up speaking. Those things that were simply given, everyday realities for the original human authors and their audiences are things we have to study and learn about. We know that if we are studying the Old Testament, we have to learn Hebrew and Aramaic (or trust the translators who learned those languages). We have to learn about ancient Near Eastern history, geography, culture, and practices in order to understand what the biblical authors are talking about. If we are studying the New Testament, we have to learn Greek. We have to learn about the first century world under the Roman Empire. All of this is simply part of the nature of grammatical-historical interpretation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Context is also important if we are to properly understand Reformed theology. Reformed theology was a fruit of the sixteenth century Protestant Reformation, and that Reformation took place in a particular historical and cultural context. The authors writing at that time wrote within a particular philosophical and theological context. Having a grasp of these various contexts is important for understanding Reformed theology. I want to briefly mention three such contexts: the historical, philosophical, and theological contexts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Historical Context
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Protestant Reformation did not occur one afternoon because a bunch of Roman Catholic monks got bored and decided to throw a party that got out of hand. The Protestant Reformation was the culmination of numerous historical events that reached back over the course of many centuries. Conflicts between the church and various political entities (imperial as well as more local) in addition to various conflicts among the political entities themselves played a role. Conflicts within the church itself resulting from corruption and numerous reforming attempts played a role. Cultural changes, including economic changes and technological changes, played a role.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We can see the direct relevance of the historical context when, for example, we read Martin Luther’s To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation or his Babylonian Captivity of the Church, two of the most important Protestant writings of the early Reformation. We can see the relevance when we read John Calvin’s “Prefatory Address to King Francis I of France” at the beginning of his Institutes. That preface is important context for understanding the content of the Institutes.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In addition, many of the Reformed confessions address issues that assume specific historical conditions or that are responding to specific historical conditions. The clearest example of the impact of historical context on the content of Reformed theology can be seen in the difference between the original Westminster Confession of Faith and the American revision of the same Confession on the subject of the civil magistrate and the relation between church and state. We have to understand that historical context is important for understanding Reformed theology. If a believer desires to have a better grasp of Reformed theology, he or she should take some time to study the history of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries—the two hundred years immediately preceding the Reformation—and then study the history of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries themselves. Theology does not exist in a historical vacuum.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Philosophical Context
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In order to understand the importance of the philosophical context of Reformed theology, it is necessary to remember the historical timeframe of the Reformation. The Protestant Reformation began in the early sixteenth century with the work of Martin Luther. The first Latin edition of John Calvin’s Institutes was published in 1536 and the final Latin edition in 1559. The major writings of Reformed theologians such as Zwingli, Musculus, Vermigli, Bullinger, Beza, Zanchius, and Ursinus were published in the sixteenth century. All of the works of the Reformed scholastic theologians in the period of Early Orthodoxy and the majority of the works published in the period of High Orthodoxy were published before the end of the seventeenth century. This includes the works of Reformed theologians such as Polanus, Ames, Wollebius, Maccovius, Witsius, Turretin, and Mastricht.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All the major Reformed confessions and catechisms were also published in these two centuries. For example, the Tetrapolitan Confession (1530), the First Helvetic Confession (1536), the French Confession (1559), the Scots Confession (1560), the Belgic Confession (1561), the Heidelberg Catechism (1563), the Second Helvetic Confession (1566), the Canons of Dordt (1618–19), the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), the Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), and the Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647) were written in the sixteenth century and the first half of the seventeenth century.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is important because it means that the great theological works of the classical Reformed theologians and the Reformed confessions that they produced were all published in the last days of a pre-Enlightenment philosophical context. In other words, these theologians were writing before the Enlightenment’s “turn to the subject.” Remember that the so-called father of modern philosophy, René Descartes, was born in 1596, at the very end of the sixteenth century. His most significant philosophical works were not written until the late 1630s and early 1640s, well into the seventeenth century, and it took time for the influence of those works to be felt in the universities and among theologians.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This does not mean that the pre-Enlightenment philosophical context was monolithic. It also does not mean that there were no philosophical precursors to what became modern philosophy. There were, for example, in the philosophy of nominalism as well as in the ancient Greek skepticism that was rediscovered during the Renaissance. What it does mean is that the philosophical presuppositions of classic Reformed theology have much more in common with the general philosophical presuppositions of medieval theologians than with anything in the post-Cartesian era. In general, they worked within a context that did not question the existence of an external world independent of human minds or our ability to have true knowledge of that world through the use of our God-given sensory and rational faculties. Furthermore, they worked within a philosophical context that, with some exceptions (e.g., nominalism), granted that things have real natures.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This general philosophical context of Reformed theology was gradually lost as Enlightenment views finally filtered down and began impacting the thinking of the theologians. It had a catastrophic impact on Reformed theology. As Richard Muller explains (using the phrase “Christian Aristotelianism” to describe pre-Enlightenment philosophy):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The decline of Protestant orthodoxy, then, coincides with the decline of the interrelated intellectual phenomena of scholastic method and Christian Aristotelianism. Rationalist philosophy was ultimately incapable of becoming a suitable ancilla and, instead, demanded that it and not theology be considered queen of the sciences. Without a philosophical structure to complement its doctrines and to cohere with its scholastic method, Protestant orthodoxy came to an end.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/contexts-reformed-theology#fn1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In other words, if we want to know why there are so many Reformed theological giants in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and comparatively few afterwards, a large part of it has to do with the later theologians adopting various forms of Enlightenment philosophy and rejecting the pre-Enlightenment philosophical context. When Reformed theology is adapted to Enlightenment philosophical presuppositions, it withers and dies.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our philosophical presuppositions affect our understanding of the most basic principles of reality and knowledge. Most readers of Reformed theology today have grown up imbibing post-Enlightenment philosophical principles without even being aware of it because it’s the very intellectual air we breathe. This easily leads to a misunderstanding of traditional Reformed doctrines if we read those doctrines through post-Enlightenment lenses. More seriously, many contemporary Reformed theologians have consciously or unconsciously adopted one version or another of post-Enlightenment philosophy. Post-Enlightenment philosophy has an enormous impact on our understanding of God, man, sin, everything.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When a contemporary Reformed theologian who has adopted one form or another of post-Enlightenment philosophy also subscribes to a Reformed confession, all of which were written by theologians who thought within a pre-Enlightenment philosophical context, there will inevitably be internal conflict. The temptation to radically revise or reject the confessional teaching will be ever-present. Such radical revision and rejection of confessionally Reformed doctrine has already begun to occur. We see this most clearly in the writings of contemporary Reformed theologians who reject the doctrine of God taught in the Reformed confessions (e.g., WCF, ch. 2).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Theological Context
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If someone desires to study the theology of the Canons of Dordt, we generally understand that it’s necessary to have some grasp of the Arminian controversy and the theology of the Remonstrants because the Canons of Dordt are responding to the specific doctrines of the Remonstrants/Arminians. The same principle is true also of classic Reformed theology in general. Reformed theology is responding to and re-forming something that already existed—namely, late medieval Roman Catholic theology.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This assumed theological context can be seen throughout the writings of the early Reformed theologians and throughout our Reformed confessions. Over and over again, we see the Reformed theologians and the Reformed confessions responding to various specific Roman Catholic doctrines and practices. Sometimes they correct those doctrines and practices. Sometimes they completely reject those doctrines and practices. Unless we have some understanding of those Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, it can be very difficult to understand what our Reformed theologians and confessions are getting at.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Reformed theologians of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries understood the theology of late medieval Catholicism, and they could assume that most of their readers (other theologians and pastors) would have some understanding of it as well. Many, if not most, contemporary readers of Reformed theology do not have the same basic knowledge of Roman Catholic doctrine and practice that the early Reformed theologians and their readers had. They do not have the same grasp of the overarching ecclesio-sacerdotal-soteriological system of Roman Catholic theology. They may have heard isolated bits and pieces regarding things such as justification or the relation between Scripture and tradition, but most do not understand the all-encompassing nature of the entire Roman Catholic theological system and how each piece relates to all the others.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This puts contemporary readers of Reformed theology in something like the position of a reader of the Canons of Dordt who does not understand the Arminian theology to which those Canons are responding. We can get some understanding of Reformed theology without that knowledge, but without the theological context it is very easy for that limited understanding to slide into misunderstanding. How many Reformed Christians, for example, understand how significant Rome’s understanding of Adam’s pre-fall constitution and the relation of nature and grace at that point in time is for Rome’s understanding of sin, grace, and justification? That knowledge is an important context for understanding the Reformed theology of sin, grace, and justification.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Conclusion
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Classic Reformed theology did not fall out of the sky without any context. It was developed within real human history with real historical, cultural, political, philosophical, and theological contexts. We are five hundred years removed from those contexts. Our twenty-first century historical, philosophical, and theological context is very different from that of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. If we are not aware that there are differences, it can be very easy to read our contemporary context back into the writings of those centuries. If we are aware that there are differences but remain ignorant of the sixteenth and seventeenth century contexts, we can easily miss the true import of some of their teachings. In short, the same kind of effort that we put into learning the context of the biblical writings ought to be put into learning the context of classical Reformed theology.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/contexts-reformed-theology
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 Apr 2022 13:39:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-12-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-11-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-11-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-11-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bring Your Sorrows and Sins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2025:18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Psalms 25:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is good for us when prayers about our sorrows are linked with pleas concerning our sins—when, being under God’s hand, we do not focus exclusively on our pain, but remember our sins against God. It is also good to take both sorrow and sin to the same place. It was to God that David carried his sorrow: It was to God that David confessed his sin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Notice, then, we must take our sorrows to God. Even your little sorrows you may cast upon God, for He counts the hairs of your head; and your great sorrows you may commit to Him, for He holds the ocean in the hollow of His hand. Go to Him, whatever your present trouble may be, and you will find Him able and willing to relieve you. But we must take our sins to God too. We must carry them to the cross, that the blood may fall upon them, to purge away their guilt and to destroy their defiling power.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The special lesson of the text is this: we are to go to the Lord with sorrows and with sins in the right spirit. Note that all David asks concerning his sorrow is, “Consider my affliction and my trouble”; but the next petition is vastly more explicit, definite, decided, plain—“Forgive all my sins.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many sufferers would have reversed it: “Remove my affliction and my pain, and consider my sins.” But David does not; he cries, “Lord, when it comes to my affliction and my pain, I will not dictate to Your wisdom. Lord, look at them—I will leave them to You. I would like to have my pain removed, but do as You will. But as for my sins, Lord, I know what needs to happen—I must have them forgiven; I cannot endure to live under their curse for a moment.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Christian counts sorrow lighter in the scale than sin; he can bear to have troubles continue, but he cannot bear the burden of his transgressions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2022 13:24:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-11-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-8-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-8-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-8-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Rejoicing in Trouble
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2023:4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Psalms 23:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider how the Holy Spirit can make the Christian independent of outward circumstances. What a bright light may shine within us when it is really dark outside! How firm, how happy, how calm, how peaceful we may be when the world shakes, and the foundations of the earth are removed! Even death itself, with all its terrible influences, has no power to suspend the music of a Christian’s heart, but instead makes that music sweeter, clearer, more heavenly, until the last kind act that death can do is allow the earthly song to melt into the heavenly chorus, the temporal joy into the eternal bliss!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let us have confidence, then, in the blessed Spirit’s power to comfort us. Dear reader, are you facing poverty? Do not fear—the Holy Spirit can give you, in your need, a greater plenty than the rich have in their abundance. You never know what joys may be stored up for you in the cottage around which grace will plant the roses of contentment.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are you conscious of your physical frailty? Do you anticipate sleepless nights and painful days? Do not be sad! Your bed may become a throne to you. You cannot tell how every pain that shoots through your body may be a refining fire to consume your dross—a beam of glory to light up the secret parts of your soul.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is your eyesight failing? Jesus will be your light. Is your hearing deteriorating? Jesus’ name will be your soul’s best music, and His person your dear delight. Socrates used to say, “Philosophers can be happy without music,” and Christians can be happier than philosophers when all outward causes of rejoicing are removed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In You, my God, my heart shall triumph, no matter my circumstances! By Your power, O blessed Spirit, my heart shall rejoice even though all things should fail me here below.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 08 Apr 2022 13:25:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-8-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-7-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-7-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-7-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Truth and Beauty of Jesus' Resurrection
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above the altar at St. Peter and Paul Church in Weimar, Germany, stands the famous Weimar Altarpiece. Begun by Lucas Cranach the Elder around 1552, and completed by his son, Lucas Cranach the Younger in 1555, this painting is a visual sermon on the doctrine of justification. It is a work of profound Christian theology, and stunning Christ-centered artistry. It is cruciform creativity. It is didactic and delightful. It is a witness, and a work of art. It portrays the truth of Jesus’ crucifixion and does so beautifully.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The gospel writers are doing something similar in their accounts of Jesus’ resurrection, albeit greater than even the greatest works of art. After all, the gospels are divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit, and at the same time, a delight to hear and read again and again.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Christians we are accustomed to teaching, learning, and hearing the account of Jesus’ death and resurrection in historical terms. And well we should. Jesus does. Paul does. So do the other apostles. Jesus’ resurrection is historical, verifiable, and veracious. The central event of the Christian faith – Jesus’ death and resurrection - is fact, not fiction. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection did not happen in Never-never Land, or a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, but in the days of Caesar Augustus and Herod. In real human history. Jesus is crucified under Pontius Pilate. The Christian faith, and its central teaching of Jesus’ death and resurrection is thoroughly historical. As Christians, we are called to declare and defend this good news, by always being prepared to give a ready defense for anyone who asks about the reason for the hope that is within us (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Peter%203%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Peter 3:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And, as we approach Easter, as we spend time hearing and reading the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection in all four gospels, it is good to remember that this true story, is also beautiful. It is beautiful, in part, precisely because it is true; and in its truthfulness, its beauty is not lost. One of the joys of reading all four gospel accounts individually, is that we are able to behold the true story beautifully told from each of the points of view of the gospel writers. Slow down and spend time observing the unique prose, dialogue, and language each gospel writer uses in recounting Jesus’ resurrection. Watch for allusions and references to the Old Testament, to previous events within each gospel. Notice the gospel writers’ thematic emphases, arrangement of the life and ministry of Jesus, and how they each move the story along, and tell the same story from a different viewpoint, much like various artists will draw different aspects of the same apple set on the table in front of them. In the gospels we receive four historical accounts of Jesus’ resurrection which are both didactic and delightful. They are witnesses and works of art. They present both historical fact and meaningful satisfaction. Jesus’ resurrection is both true and beautiful.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In The Resurrection of the Son of God, N.T. Wright observes that, “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2024/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is a small masterpiece, designed as the closing scene for a large scale work of art.”(1) Luke’s artistry as a historian and physician comes through in his attention to detail, his precise language. Consider, for example, how Luke points out the Sabbath day rest in the final verse of chapter 23, leading us to the first day of the week in chapter 24:1. Jesus, too, rested on the Sabbath day. He rested in the tomb from all his labors on the cross. And in doing so, he hallowed the Sabbath day again, and fulfilled it all at the same time. Jesus’ rest in the tomb gives you eternal Sabbath rest. Jesus remembers the Sabbath day and kept it holy for you. Or, notice the contrast around the word “find” in 24:2-3. They (the women) found the stone rolled away. But they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. Luke also cleverly waits until 24:10 to tell his hearers who these first visitors to Jesus’ empty tomb were; it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and some of the other women.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Think back to the Weimar Altarpiece. Another feature of the painting is that it is a triptych, comprised of three panels. The right and left panels portray the people of Weimar facing inward towards the center panel; their hands folded and eyes focused on the painting at the heart of the triptych, the crucified Christ. Cranach’s point is clear. The focal point of the altarpiece, at the center of the church’s confession, faith, and witness, indeed, at the very center of the Scriptures is this true and beautiful good news: Jesus crucified for you. Cranach even paints himself in the picture with the blood of Christ streaming forth onto his own head. Truth and beauty.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In chapter 24, Luke paints a triptych of words. Think of verses 1-12, like the left panel of a triptych painting. In verses 1-12, he records the women visiting Jesus’ tomb, finding it empty, and the angel's mysterious, yet marvelous words, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here; he is risen.” We also hear how the women were perplexed, how Peter marveled, and how the angel reminded the women to remember Jesus’ words, “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In verses 36-49, Luke paints the right panel of his resurrection triptych. He recounts Jesus’ post-resurrection appearance to his disciples. Jesus answers their doubts and fears by showing them the wounds in his hands and feet. Jesus eats with them, a sign both of his physical resurrection and his desire for table fellowship with and for sinners. Jesus also teaches them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ words reveal both divine truth and sacred beauty. Every book, chapter, verse points to Jesus crucified and risen. Every prophet, apostle, and psalmist tells a part of this true and beautiful story Jesus fulfills in his death and resurrection. Every genre, from the historical narrative of Genesis of Moses to the apocalyptic symbolism of John in Revelation paints God’s word with two brushes, the true and the beautiful.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And then, in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2024/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , at the center of Luke’s resurrection masterpiece, notice how he carefully crafts verses 13-35. While two of Jesus’ disciples are walking the road to Emmaus, Jesus joins them along their journey, only he keeps them from recognizing him. The Emmaus disciples recount the events of Holy Week and how some of the women had reported that Jesus’ tomb was empty. Jesus gently rebukes them and at the same time comforts and patiently teaches them. “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The center of this central scene in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2024/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            comes next. The disciples invite Jesus to stay with them, for it was toward evening and the day was far spent. St. Luke paints the climactic and central scene of chapter 24 while Jesus is at the table with his disciples surrounded by a meal, fellowship, and Jesus’ word. “Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Later, as the disciples returned to Jerusalem, Luke records the true and beautiful words of comfort for his disciples, “How he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke’s artistry is awesome to behold. Where do his disciples then, and now, find the crucified and risen Lord? In his word where he speaks and gives life, and at the table where he is known in the breaking of the bread. It is truly beautiful, and is a beautiful truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is what makes the account of Jesus’ resurrection in Luke such a delight to read. Luke tells the true story of the gospel and the good news of Jesus’ resurrection as a glorious, gracious surprise. Not only is it true. It is beautiful. A gracious, unexpected, never-saw-it-coming surprise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is what J.R.R. Tolkien called the Eucatastrophe, a good catastrophe, or a sudden turn of events that no one expected or saw coming and yet fills you with wonder and joy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “The Gospels contain a fairy-story, or a story of a larger kind which embraces all the essence of fairy-stories. They contain many marvels—peculiarly artistic, beautiful, and moving: “mythical” in their perfect, self-contained significance; and among the marvels is the greatest and most complete conceivable Eucatastrophe. But this story has entered History and the primary world; the desire and aspiration of sub-creation has been raised to the fulfillment of Creation. The Birth of Christ is the Eucatastrophe of Man's history. The Resurrection is the Eucatastrophe of the story of the Incarnation. This story begins and ends in joy. It has pre-eminently the “inner consistency of reality.” There is no tale ever told that men would rather find was true, and none which so many skeptical men have accepted as true on its own merits. For the Art of it has the supremely convincing tone of Primary Art, that is, of Creation. To reject it leads either to sadness or to wrath.”(2)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Easter approaches, take some time to read the gospel accounts of Holy Week. Dig into the unique details each gospel writer focuses on. Read aloud their Spirit-crafted, creative, and powerful words. Read the story and don’t skip over what you think you’ve already heard before. Slow down. Take your time. Soak in the words. Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest this good news. And while you do so, ponder the gracious, grand miracle of Jesus’ resurrection. Rejoice in the truthfulness and veracity of Jesus’ resurrection, and behold the beauty of this true and greatest of all stories, Jesus crucified and risen for you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/articles/the-truth-and-beauty-of-jesus-resurrection" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.1517.org/articles/the-truth-and-beauty-of-jesus-resurrection
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 08 Apr 2022 13:23:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-7-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-6-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-6-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-6-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great Expectations...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eleven years ago this month the world watched William and Kate’s wedding. More than 2 billion people took time out to view this royal event with its rich pageantry and ceremony. It was all that we would expect of a royal occasion.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How different was Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Luke’s narrative unfolds, we find that Jesus’ mission has been a movement towards Jerusalem – the city where the Temple symbolized God’s presence with his people. It was inevitable that Jesus’ work would reach its climax there.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But how would the city receive him? During his three years of public ministry Jesus had been confronted by representatives from Jerusalem who had quizzed him and opposed him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preparation. When Jesus had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it’ (Luke 19:29-31).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The path Jesus trod with thousands of others on their way to Jerusalem for Passover involved a long climb from Jericho, the lowest city in the world, through the villages of Bethphage and Bethany, up to the Mount of Olives. From there, Jerusalem comes into view, and for most Jewish people, the end of the journey – Passover in the city of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For Jesus this was a moment for which he had prepared. He sent two of his disciples to a village to fetch a donkey, telling anyone who asked, ‘The Lord has need of it’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus was deliberately fulfilling the words of the prophet Zechariah, who had spoken some 500 years earlier about God’s king riding on the foal of a donkey. It was always said that no one but the king was permitted to ride his horse. This colt had never been ridden. Throwing their cloaks on to the colt, the disciples set Jesus on it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great Expectations. As Jesus journeyed down the steep path from the Mount of Olives into the Kidron Valley that day, people not only spread their cloaks on the road, but also started singing from Psalm 118, one of the festival psalms: ‘Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!’ The cloaks on the road and the singing suggested that a king was entering his city. Psalm 118 is a song of victory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There’s something here that is quite often overlooked. The crowds that joyfully sang that day were people from the provinces who had seen and heard Jesus outside the city. Now these people saw Jesus coming in fulfillment of their hopes, answering their longings for a king who would bring peace to earth from heaven itself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The words they sang echoed the words of Jesus earlier in his ministry: ‘If Israel will repent and greet with blessing the One who comes in the name of the Lord, then Israel will experience the advent of salvation’ (Luke 13:35).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Discordant Note. However, there was an irony here that the crowds in their enthusiasm seemed to have missed. This king was not riding a warrior horse. This was no royal or presidential motorcade with armed security. This king was riding a donkey, fulfilling for anyone who knew the Scriptures, the words of Zechariah 9:9.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, some of the Pharisees going along with the crowd appear to have become anxious about how the authorities in Jerusalem would respond. ‘Tell these people to keep quiet’, they said to Jesus. But, contrary to his call for silence when Peter had confessed him as the Christ (Luke 9:20), now he said: ‘If I tell these people to be quiet, even the very stones would sing out…’ He is anticipating the day when even the inanimate elements of creation will respond with joy – the day of the full and final redemption of God’s people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was time to sing out: God’s king was coming to the city to bring about God’s rescue for his people. Jesus’ work would provide the greater exodus, not just for Israel but for all people, through his own Passover act when he was crucified.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tears for the City. As Jesus came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes…’ (Luke 19:41-42).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The people thought Jesus was coming to take up his kingship in Jerusalem. But Jesus went on to predict that because Jerusalem had failed to see and welcome him as God’s long-promised king, it would become a smoking, desolate ruin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With this description of Jesus’ entry into the city of David, Luke turns our attention away from the glory of the kingdom to focus on the suffering the king would endure before the week was out. There would be no glory without his suffering; no crown without his cross.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is a lesson here for us. Luke wants us to understand that God’s king will come one day in awesome power and glory. Yes, without a doubt that will happen. Jesus’ death and resurrection and the fall of Jerusalem in 70AD, point to the reality of divine intervention in human affairs.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Luke also wants us to turn our eyes from the political transformation of society to the greatest need of everyone – the spiritual transformation of our souls. Before we experience our great expectations of Jesus’ kingdom in all its fullness and glory, we must first receive him into our hearts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In every age preachers have wept for the people in the towns and cities where they have ministered God’s truth. I know I have – wept for those who have come and walked away because they didn’t want to hear about what CS Lewis called the divine interferer. Without Jesus, God’s king in our lives we are lost.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Prayer. Almighty ever living God, you have given to all men and women Jesus Christ our Savior as a model of humility. He fulfilled your will by choosing to take on human form and give his life for us on the cross. Turn our hearts to you and help us bear witness to you by following his example of suffering; make us worthy to share in his resurrection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://anglicanconnection.com/great-expectations-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://anglicanconnection.com/great-expectations-2/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Apr 2022 13:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-6-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-5-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-5-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-5-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is Transgenderism?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Transgenderism is such a new concept that the 1973 Oxford English Dictionary that sits open on my desk has no entry. According to etymonline.com, the word came into existence in 1974 as an adjective referring to “persons whose sense of personal identity does not correspond with their anatomical sex.” This word combines two older words. The first is “trans,” which is derived from part of a Latin verb that means to bring across or over, to transfer, to cause to cross, to extend across, or to convert. The second is “gender,” which derives from the French word for genre and the Latin word for genus, meaning kind, sort, or class. “Transgendered” became “transgender” after 2015 to indicate the new idea: that transgenderism is ontological, or something that is true of a person’s very essence. Today, the psychological condition where a person feels like their personal identity does not match their anatomical sex is called gender dysphoria. And there is a strong push in our culture to agree with the transgendered movement that when one’s gender, defined as their feelings of being male or female, conflicts with the biological markers of maleness or femaleness, the feelings are determinative.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Throughout most of human history, however, gender meant being male or female. There was no distinction made between one’s biological sex and one’s gender. It wasn’t until 1963 that gender began to refer to social attributes that differed from biological sex. This new definition was used by Second Wave Feminists, such as Kate Millet and Simone de Beauvoir, to miscategorize gender as the cultural manifestation of biology. Second-wave feminists argued that patriarchal society contrived gender roles merely to degrade women, thereby rejecting the biblical understanding that God created man and woman from a godly pattern for a creational purpose. Transgenderism emerged from this feminist political rejection of the creation ordinance that says God made human beings male and female, so their biological sex and not their internal feelings determines their maleness or femaleness. Transgenderism, instead, argues that our internal sense of self is what makes us men or women.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ultimately, that feeling of disconnect between one’s body and one’s sense of gender are a consequence of the fall and its effect on our hearts, minds, and bodies. In some cases, the feeling is driven chiefly by a biological problem related to genetics or hormones. From a biblical perspective, someone with a severe hormonal imbalance or chromosomal abnormality has a physical health problem, not an identity problem. Godly help for the gender dysphoric person includes biblical counseling and potentially medical treatments that restore normative hormonal balance. Godly support for the gender dysphoric individual understands medical problems as part of the fall of man. Such trials can be serious, difficult, and lifelong.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not all who claim to be transgendered, however, are suffering from a biological defect, and even some who are cannot reduce their feelings to a biological cause. Personal sin is still a reality. How does that come into play? Transgenderism, from the perspective of Scripture, is related to the sin of envy. Specifically, transgenderism is, at root, sinful envy of the sexual anatomy of another. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Proverbs%2027%3A3%E2%80%934/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Proverbs 27:3–4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            paints an ugly picture of envy: “A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both. Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?” (KJV). Envy, biblically speaking, is an obsession, a driving passion that insatiably drives a person to desire another’s gifts, possessions, achievement—or sexual anatomy. About these verses, Matthew Henry says: “Those who have no command of their passions sink under the load.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/transgenderism#fn1" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Proverbs%2014%3A30/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Proverbs 14:30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            says it bluntly: “Envy makes the bones rot.” In other words, if we do not deal with the sin of envy in its infantile stage, it will devour us. Envy will eat us from the inside out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A “transgender identity” makes a mockery of both the Word of God and Jesus Christ our Savior. In the book of Romans, Paul situates the sin of envy as one consequence of exchanging God for idolatry. After having been given up to a “debased mind” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%201%3A28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 1:28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), Paul lists the consequences: “They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%201%3A29/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 1:29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). To be full of envy is to be blinded by the desire to have what belongs to someone else. Because our hearts are deceitful, some persons who claim a transgendered identity may not recognize their envy and will need help in seeing the envious root of their feelings that their gender and biological sex are different.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If transgenderism is related to the sin of envy, then genuine repentance can produce the virtue of contentment. Jeremiah Burroughs’ The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment helps us understand how contentment is the opposite of envy. Burroughs defines “contentment” as “the inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, freely submitting to and taking pleasure in God’s disposal in every condition.” Burroughs explains that this takes “heart work within the soul,” “a quieting of the heart,” submission, which is “sending the soul under God” and “a gracious frame.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/transgenderism#fn2" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Contentment means saying and believing that God is good, just, and wise in all things. Burroughs teaches Christians to be content with and simultaneously sensible about affliction. He says that “grace teaches” that “contentment [is] the mingling of joy and sorrow.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/transgenderism#fn3" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            A Christian must learn how to be content with God even while being unsatisfied in the world (either because of what the world has denied us or what original sin has bequeathed us). Because even Christians can act like “practical atheists,” it is vital for Christians to reject anything that gives a mere outward peace that does not achieve actual peace with God. How does this apply to transgenderism? We are not to pray for things unlawful. It is unlawful to reject any use of God’s moral law, and the first summary of the law of God is found in the creation ordinance in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%201%3A27%E2%80%9328/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 1:27–28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . As Joel Beeke reminds us, “The law is God’s revealed will for the life of angels in heaven and humans on earth.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/transgenderism#fn4" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            To ask God to give us something that the law forbids is a sin. If we get what we asked for, we can be sure that we are now eating out of Satan’s hand, not God’s. A person who thinks he is transgendered must learn the same lesson as the rest of us: to be content in God and unsatisfied in the world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even when hormonal or chromosomal imbalance causes gender confusion, hope is found in the gospel. We live in a fallen world, and our bodies groan under sin. Ultimately, we all wait to experience the delight of renewed bodies in the new heavens and new earth. Real hope is only in the gospel. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Tim.%206%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Tim. 6:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The modern invention of transgenderism reframes sinful deeds and desires of the flesh in worldly or therapeutic terms. This betrays the power of God’s election, Christ’s redemption, and the Spirit’s comfort. It rewrites the gospel, entangles the church in foolish debates, and confuses our young people. This is the situation in which we find the evangelical church today. We must learn to be content in God and unsatisfied in the world as we define our identity in light of Scripture alone. “Taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%2034%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 34:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            From:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/transgenderism" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/transgenderism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Apr 2022 21:02:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-5-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Joe</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-joe</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Joe+Hinson+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some of the views from Santa Monica pier, our ministry spot. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org/?__cft__[0]=AZW1qbsNy_jkncWbCAvLIFqkjs752nVH8wlN4wHj3lGW0kYQKUlxnL_MZNzBqvvTCTaUqWmwRElm-dOMwVRvPVSXVemHeZX9ybRd_xlah5nG94wgeTk3i5elWcVM3KzGbFM&amp;amp;__tn__=kK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sbo22?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZW1qbsNy_jkncWbCAvLIFqkjs752nVH8wlN4wHj3lGW0kYQKUlxnL_MZNzBqvvTCTaUqWmwRElm-dOMwVRvPVSXVemHeZX9ybRd_xlah5nG94wgeTk3i5elWcVM3KzGbFM&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SBO22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Apr 2022 20:34:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-joe</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Jordan</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-jordan</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jordan+Allen+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jordan Allen
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Some pictures from the superbowl 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZW-uTjbmdgELsVipyQ17tM4FEOzDKFaUQAV8V8GbJIqVwtKza1x7x5u6uRMRbXv1S7quL118iNimE6xU-bnbjffLUye7ZqBlf_d-ZhdYM-5u5zEJe1MqqCeYRRFngs594Q&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sbo22?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZW-uTjbmdgELsVipyQ17tM4FEOzDKFaUQAV8V8GbJIqVwtKza1x7x5u6uRMRbXv1S7quL118iNimE6xU-bnbjffLUye7ZqBlf_d-ZhdYM-5u5zEJe1MqqCeYRRFngs594Q&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SBO22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org/?__cft__[0]=AZW-uTjbmdgELsVipyQ17tM4FEOzDKFaUQAV8V8GbJIqVwtKza1x7x5u6uRMRbXv1S7quL118iNimE6xU-bnbjffLUye7ZqBlf_d-ZhdYM-5u5zEJe1MqqCeYRRFngs594Q&amp;amp;__tn__=kK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Apr 2022 20:19:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-jordan</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Jon</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-jon</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jon+Clement+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jon Clement
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            - 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hey all SBO 2022 Team:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here are my photos and ones I stole from others. Please post your photos. Enjoy and share with others!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I'll post the videos I have as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           RV Saltshakers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sbo2022?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUBAfNbZLvReJp5qxYMjoWMFPQ6wRZ8AZ3kLfphiFDyCmIuf5RXLf1gi2fvW_y5f2RJbyNejzmzh8cuWJ7eEcwOgxMyT6KkPOwbRtYTRPrqQLkpbrk7GE8LJP7WGRHPGge2S3zN_Ra_X2qOTSmDwr5rN9IMCO_CGjYHqwTMAfJNBW8lIicXPILPEs1Yk_rzHCA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SBO2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/rvssfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUBAfNbZLvReJp5qxYMjoWMFPQ6wRZ8AZ3kLfphiFDyCmIuf5RXLf1gi2fvW_y5f2RJbyNejzmzh8cuWJ7eEcwOgxMyT6KkPOwbRtYTRPrqQLkpbrk7GE8LJP7WGRHPGge2S3zN_Ra_X2qOTSmDwr5rN9IMCO_CGjYHqwTMAfJNBW8lIicXPILPEs1Yk_rzHCA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #rvssfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUBAfNbZLvReJp5qxYMjoWMFPQ6wRZ8AZ3kLfphiFDyCmIuf5RXLf1gi2fvW_y5f2RJbyNejzmzh8cuWJ7eEcwOgxMyT6KkPOwbRtYTRPrqQLkpbrk7GE8LJP7WGRHPGge2S3zN_Ra_X2qOTSmDwr5rN9IMCO_CGjYHqwTMAfJNBW8lIicXPILPEs1Yk_rzHCA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUBAfNbZLvReJp5qxYMjoWMFPQ6wRZ8AZ3kLfphiFDyCmIuf5RXLf1gi2fvW_y5f2RJbyNejzmzh8cuWJ7eEcwOgxMyT6KkPOwbRtYTRPrqQLkpbrk7GE8LJP7WGRHPGge2S3zN_Ra_X2qOTSmDwr5rN9IMCO_CGjYHqwTMAfJNBW8lIicXPILPEs1Yk_rzHCA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/mason.goodknight?__cft__[0]=AZUBAfNbZLvReJp5qxYMjoWMFPQ6wRZ8AZ3kLfphiFDyCmIuf5RXLf1gi2fvW_y5f2RJbyNejzmzh8cuWJ7eEcwOgxMyT6KkPOwbRtYTRPrqQLkpbrk7GE8LJP7WGRHPGge2S3zN_Ra_X2qOTSmDwr5rN9IMCO_CGjYHqwTMAfJNBW8lIicXPILPEs1Yk_rzHCA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mason Goodknight
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/JesusSaves007?__cft__[0]=AZUBAfNbZLvReJp5qxYMjoWMFPQ6wRZ8AZ3kLfphiFDyCmIuf5RXLf1gi2fvW_y5f2RJbyNejzmzh8cuWJ7eEcwOgxMyT6KkPOwbRtYTRPrqQLkpbrk7GE8LJP7WGRHPGge2S3zN_Ra_X2qOTSmDwr5rN9IMCO_CGjYHqwTMAfJNBW8lIicXPILPEs1Yk_rzHCA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeff Warner
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1246368877&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUBAfNbZLvReJp5qxYMjoWMFPQ6wRZ8AZ3kLfphiFDyCmIuf5RXLf1gi2fvW_y5f2RJbyNejzmzh8cuWJ7eEcwOgxMyT6KkPOwbRtYTRPrqQLkpbrk7GE8LJP7WGRHPGge2S3zN_Ra_X2qOTSmDwr5rN9IMCO_CGjYHqwTMAfJNBW8lIicXPILPEs1Yk_rzHCA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ryan Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/bill.shank.756?__cft__[0]=AZUBAfNbZLvReJp5qxYMjoWMFPQ6wRZ8AZ3kLfphiFDyCmIuf5RXLf1gi2fvW_y5f2RJbyNejzmzh8cuWJ7eEcwOgxMyT6KkPOwbRtYTRPrqQLkpbrk7GE8LJP7WGRHPGge2S3zN_Ra_X2qOTSmDwr5rN9IMCO_CGjYHqwTMAfJNBW8lIicXPILPEs1Yk_rzHCA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Schank
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sportsfanoutreach?__cft__[0]=AZUBAfNbZLvReJp5qxYMjoWMFPQ6wRZ8AZ3kLfphiFDyCmIuf5RXLf1gi2fvW_y5f2RJbyNejzmzh8cuWJ7eEcwOgxMyT6KkPOwbRtYTRPrqQLkpbrk7GE8LJP7WGRHPGge2S3zN_Ra_X2qOTSmDwr5rN9IMCO_CGjYHqwTMAfJNBW8lIicXPILPEs1Yk_rzHCA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011264868090&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUBAfNbZLvReJp5qxYMjoWMFPQ6wRZ8AZ3kLfphiFDyCmIuf5RXLf1gi2fvW_y5f2RJbyNejzmzh8cuWJ7eEcwOgxMyT6KkPOwbRtYTRPrqQLkpbrk7GE8LJP7WGRHPGge2S3zN_Ra_X2qOTSmDwr5rN9IMCO_CGjYHqwTMAfJNBW8lIicXPILPEs1Yk_rzHCA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Caleb Davenport
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/warren.marquardt?__cft__[0]=AZUBAfNbZLvReJp5qxYMjoWMFPQ6wRZ8AZ3kLfphiFDyCmIuf5RXLf1gi2fvW_y5f2RJbyNejzmzh8cuWJ7eEcwOgxMyT6KkPOwbRtYTRPrqQLkpbrk7GE8LJP7WGRHPGge2S3zN_Ra_X2qOTSmDwr5rN9IMCO_CGjYHqwTMAfJNBW8lIicXPILPEs1Yk_rzHCA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Warren Marquardt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/andrewk.karl.1?__cft__[0]=AZUBAfNbZLvReJp5qxYMjoWMFPQ6wRZ8AZ3kLfphiFDyCmIuf5RXLf1gi2fvW_y5f2RJbyNejzmzh8cuWJ7eEcwOgxMyT6KkPOwbRtYTRPrqQLkpbrk7GE8LJP7WGRHPGge2S3zN_Ra_X2qOTSmDwr5rN9IMCO_CGjYHqwTMAfJNBW8lIicXPILPEs1Yk_rzHCA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Andy Schmelzer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/gerry.collins.355?__cft__[0]=AZUBAfNbZLvReJp5qxYMjoWMFPQ6wRZ8AZ3kLfphiFDyCmIuf5RXLf1gi2fvW_y5f2RJbyNejzmzh8cuWJ7eEcwOgxMyT6KkPOwbRtYTRPrqQLkpbrk7GE8LJP7WGRHPGge2S3zN_Ra_X2qOTSmDwr5rN9IMCO_CGjYHqwTMAfJNBW8lIicXPILPEs1Yk_rzHCA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gerry Collins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/rgarlandjr.1?__cft__[0]=AZUBAfNbZLvReJp5qxYMjoWMFPQ6wRZ8AZ3kLfphiFDyCmIuf5RXLf1gi2fvW_y5f2RJbyNejzmzh8cuWJ7eEcwOgxMyT6KkPOwbRtYTRPrqQLkpbrk7GE8LJP7WGRHPGge2S3zN_Ra_X2qOTSmDwr5rN9IMCO_CGjYHqwTMAfJNBW8lIicXPILPEs1Yk_rzHCA&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rick Garland Jr.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Apr 2022 19:16:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-jon</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Will</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-will</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Will+Dieterich+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Will Dieterich
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Just got done with the Superbowl outreach. There's a lot of false gospels out here muslims, hare krishna guys, scientologist, and worst of all Black Hebrew Israelites. I engaged with some of the "Hebrew Israelites" in the middle of the gas station and asked them if they ever read Revelation 5:9? And told them that Jesus ransomed all nations tribes and tongues with his blood. And one of them asked if I ever read Revelation 2:9? And I said yeah it says that Jews are a synagogue of Satan (which is weird because they say they are Jews so not sure how that verse helped their false doctrine). Then I told them that Jesus came to save the world and quoted John 3:16 and then I gave them the hope in Ephesians 2 that Jesus has broken down the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile making peace. Meanwhile, they just justified their religion of Black supremacy while denying God's word. It was a great weekend and Christ was preached. It was a blessing meeting all the brothers in Christ. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sbo22?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVpF75RQU6nKwGcMvYTO51xjVatopdeFLBmW-P1H5c3PCnumlhX93wfAcd_46li-nNlW4ArlUdswmVetX-nbNDVhZFXB-DPmniaRGDKVUlMHQ&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SBO22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Oh also I traded a gospel tract with the Hare Krishna guys literature. It was a time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Apr 2022 18:52:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-will</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Brandon</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-brandon</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Brandon+Allen+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brandon Allen - Hollywood Blvd. sharing the gospel! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZW75xZ0NJAT6XjFnlhS5n7JUDVJJPAWyCkhGBduVRDGk-MHrAD6_IRyrJHe2Eb1ZxEqPedFl64eHJhlPE95sjLbFvnI_lf8Zosh6Vz87TJEIg&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sbo22?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZW75xZ0NJAT6XjFnlhS5n7JUDVJJPAWyCkhGBduVRDGk-MHrAD6_IRyrJHe2Eb1ZxEqPedFl64eHJhlPE95sjLbFvnI_lf8Zosh6Vz87TJEIg&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SBO22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jordan.faith.1671?__cft__[0]=AZW75xZ0NJAT6XjFnlhS5n7JUDVJJPAWyCkhGBduVRDGk-MHrAD6_IRyrJHe2Eb1ZxEqPedFl64eHJhlPE95sjLbFvnI_lf8Zosh6Vz87TJEIg&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jordan Faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Apr 2022 18:03:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-brandon</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 4-4-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-4-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 4-4-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An Exploit of Climbing
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Isaiah%202:3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Isaiah 2:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is exceedingly beneficial to our souls to rise above this present evil world to something nobler and better. The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches are apt to choke everything good within us, and we grow fretful, desponding, perhaps proud and carnal. It is good for us to cut down these thorns and briers, because heavenly seed sown among them is not likely to yield a harvest.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Where will we find a better scythe with which to cut them down than communion with God and the things of the kingdom? There are places in the world where the lowlands are a breeding ground for sickness. Doctors will often suggest that their patients head for the mountains where they can breathe the clear, fresh air. Heeding such advice, the valley dwellers leave their homes among the marshes and the fever mists to inhale the bracing elements upon the hills.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is to such an exploit of climbing that I invite you this evening. May the Spirit of God assist us to leave the mists of fear and the fevers of anxiety and all the ills that gather in this valley of earth, and to ascend the mountains of anticipated joy and blessedness. May God the Holy Spirit cut the cords that keep us here below and enable us to climb! We are too often like chained eagles fastened to the perch, and even worse, unlike the eagle, we begin to love our chain and might even, if it came to the test, be loath to have it snapped.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           May God now grant us grace, if we cannot escape from the chain as to our flesh, yet to do so as to our spirits; and leaving the body, like a servant, at the foot of the hill, may our soul, like Abraham, reach the top of the mountain, so that we can enjoy communion with the Most High.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Apr 2022 13:16:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-4-4-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Alex Burt</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-alex-burt</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Alex+Burt+ministry+reports+-sbo22.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Alex Burt -
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thankful for these saints! 74+/- of God's people hit the streets in LA County for 3 days of evangelism. 8 teams at various locations each day. Hollyweird Blvd. Huntington Beach, the Convention Center in LA, SOFI stadium and other locations. Praise the Lord for all the preaching, tracts and conversations! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sbo22?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUQyJk99C8BXU6dIcdjqSoLHyHcv2pEO2tBy-iE3_ZoB3_O0rA2T0sEC2AuolIaS5kfh7tvDG8d1NXPKGSICS52kZZax0EBu70lOvFu7HhErFw5_wchKELrbkMtGtjelTToAAla18sFF6Dav4sHLuLWxs-wIakw0XSq7kWcSdBgsw&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SBO22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsfoi.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2LUa_bU_R0fUMLjYbxwacQ_IEITB6jynvaRc-6RRN-OmrK11DEPajKqeQ&amp;amp;h=AT39FNCyci4K1eHw_pBxzuTpA7eJXyn0kzGGsb25_Ag_Pl9a3GA-68DC57JsdSAWyheGnD9uk5tphAr8IVRilCe7K9Dly2Ao34OhsD2pumG4Kgo8tBcf1vv8hkDOKfZXApqeoxs&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;amp;c[0]=AT33yEgwbpm6sm8SrF7mkqPq4mZpJxFXkmAkvebsIVrHsuFg7TXL0S5eOT9QK8OSj5vcv9aoOtf61QevgpXIg9SMStikRkbSm22XmtqPPN6Ziz1LPQUnl8Cz-EUOBOhC7z0TVG5ii0GpvXVWgnkWxRmt0D7yh8LP-RCJdb0v0b_CsWbFIBHt0DHPKlk" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           sfoi.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 02 Apr 2022 04:06:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-alex-burt</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary David Day</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-david-day</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/David+Day+SBO22+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David Day - The Lord is Kind. Praise the Lord for preachers of righteousness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/jacobbradshaw?__cft__[0]=AZW48kfVEkkNZHZzxC10HAykiuf8HLElfyhHIe2zURtY6EQejlwUhIWvCsFGkWlHx-OoPrEH4UP_UUaQ3xwREp0bwBXIG_1bSNCfgxxI9PxZ2CwtW3DzAfBk19VYgULG39Q&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jacob Bradshaw
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             taking the street for Jesus.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sbo22?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZW48kfVEkkNZHZzxC10HAykiuf8HLElfyhHIe2zURtY6EQejlwUhIWvCsFGkWlHx-OoPrEH4UP_UUaQ3xwREp0bwBXIG_1bSNCfgxxI9PxZ2CwtW3DzAfBk19VYgULG39Q&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sbo22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 01 Apr 2022 20:38:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-david-day</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-31-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-31-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-31-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Never Buried Alone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "So Elisha died, and they buried him. Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year. And as a man was being buried, behold, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013%3A20-21/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13:20-21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let’s be honest for a minute. The Bible has some strange stories in it. I’m not talking about just the miraculous nature of many of the stories but rather the seeming randomness of some of them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This story from 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Kings%2013/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Kings 13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is both miraculous and really random. It’s only two verses long and recounts how a dead man was thrown into the grave of a deceased prophet and then came back to life. That’s it. We don’t know his name, his family, what he did after that, or how people responded to his resurrection. We only know he was dead and then he wasn’t. You could read it in 10-seconds and move on, but I suggest that you push pause.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is a reason why it is there. Like all of the Old Testament, this revival story is pointing to something else–Someone else. And it’s speaking one profound truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Who You Are Buried With Matters.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Before we get to that, let’s talk about who Elisha was for a moment. Elisha was the Prophet of God to the Nation of Israel after Elijah was taken up in a chariot of fire. In other words, he was the mouthpiece of God. He was the one set apart to bring forth the word of God to the people. He was not the Messiah (the Word made flesh), but he was the flesh-and-blood anointed of God who spoke His word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now, this nameless man doesn’t regain life because of who he is or anything he does. He is resurrected because of who he ends up being buried with. He is carelessly buried with the anointed one. His union with Elisha’s death results in his own resurrection. He didn’t ask to be buried with him. He made no decision to be buried with him. He exercised no free-will. He was simply thrown into Elisha’s grave. Tossed into Elisha’s death. And it’s the same for you and me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Who we are buried with matters. But there is no need to go out and find a dead prophet so you can join him six feet under.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you are baptized, you are already buried with someone. And not just a prophet who speaks the word of God. You are buried with the very Word of God made flesh (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%201%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 1:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). You are buried with Jesus. You are united to His life, death, and resurrection. And because this is true, you will also be resurrected. Baptism is a life-giving, death-defying, act of God for His creation—dead in trespasses and sins (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ephesians%202%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians 2:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But don’t just take my word for it, read Paul’s language in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Romans%206%3A3-5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 6:3-5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you see it? Who you are buried with matters.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It doesn’t matter who you are.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           It doesn’t matter what you’ve done.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           It doesn’t matter when you were born.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           It doesn’t matter where you came from.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           It doesn’t matter what your name is.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The man in our story is nameless for a reason. The only name that matters is the name of the One you are buried with. The name you are baptized into: “the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew%2028%3A19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 28:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Baptized child of God—you will never be buried alone. You have “been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Colossians%202%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Colossians 2:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Therefore, “your life is hidden with Christ in God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Colossians%203%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Colossians 3:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Your resurrection is as certain as the empty tomb on Easter Sunday.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.1517.org/articles/never-buried-alone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 31 Mar 2022 14:39:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-31-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-30-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-30-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-30-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Carpe Diem...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the 1989 film Dead Poets Society a young English master at a New England Prep School is portrayed pointing out photos of past students to his class. ‘They’re all dead now,’ he says. ‘Carpe diem, seize the day,’ he advises. ‘Seize the opportunities you have before it’s too late.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Moving from his report of the events surrounding Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44) and the ensuing plot of the Jewish religious leaders to kill Jesus (11:45-57), John the Gospel-writer records that some six days before the Passover Jesus and his followers went to Bethany – which is roughly 3kms (2miles) outside Jerusalem. There Jesus dined with his friends, Martha and Mary, and their brother Lazarus (12:1-8).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           During the course of the meal prepared by Martha, where Jesus was guest of honor with Lazarus, Mary opened a jar of very expensive perfume, oil of pure nard from Northern India, and poured it over Jesus’ feet. Diners at that time reclined on couches around a dining table, typically leaning on their left elbow with their feet curled out behind them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Extravagant devotion. Mary, who had wept and said to Jesus when Lazarus died, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died’ (11:32f), now not only anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume, valued at more than a year’s income, but also wiped them with her hair. Against the norms of polite society, she would have let down her hair to do this (12:3). Her act was one of humility for she anointed Jesus’ feet, not his head. She had seized the moment to thank Jesus with a most generous and extravagant devotion.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However Judas, one of the disciples, was unimpressed. John tells us that Judas’s comment was not, ‘How thoughtful,’ or even ‘What a mess’, but ‘What a waste’. ‘Why wasn’t the perfume sold and the money given to the poor?’ he had asked (12:4-5). John comments that Judas said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief,… (12:6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hypocrisy and betrayal. Judas’ concern for the poor was nothing but hypocrisy. Underneath, Judas was greedy. And that’s why, in the end, his love for Jesus proved to be conditional. Indeed, all four Gospel writers report that Judas negotiated a deal with the Jewish leadership to betray Jesus (see, Mark 14:10f, Luke 22:4-6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s said that everyone has their price, and this was certainly the case with Judas. Matthew’s Gospel tersely tells us that Judas asked the religious leaders, “How much will you give me if I betray him?” (Matthew 26:15)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Judas’s kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:47-48) turned out to be a treacherous kiss, for he was the kind of follower who supported Jesus as long as he thought there was something in it for him. When he realized Jesus was not fulfilling his expectations, he cast him off. How money and material things can deceive us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Seizing the moment can be used for both ill and for good.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Anointing for burial. How different is Jesus’ response to Mary’s extravagance: ‘Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me’ (12:7-8).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ words about his burial and the fact that he would not always be with his disciples, echo a deeper theme he introduced in his conversation with Nicodemus. A time would come when he must be lifted up – an allusion to the cross (3:14-15).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As John’s Gospel unfolds it is increasingly evident that those who believe see that Jesus is not only the Son of God incarnate (1:14) but also God’s king. Mary’s anointing of him shows that she understood this. Jesus’ comment that the anointing is for his burial reveals the deeper theme – that before he could take up his kingship, he would first be laid in a tomb. Humanly speaking, his death would be brought about by Judas.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is something else behind Jesus’ commendation of Mary’s action. She understood the meaning of the first commandment: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might (Deuteronomy 6:5).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yes, Jesus implies, the poor need to be cared for. But to fulfill the meaning and practice of the second commandment – love your neighbor – we need first to love the Lord, which is what Mary was doing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Seize the day. Mary seized the opportunity to express in an extravagant way her heart-felt devotion to Jesus. She awakens us to the vital and intimate love and joy we can experience with Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke, in his Gospel tells us of on another occasion when Jesus was dining with Martha, Mary and Lazarus: Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet listening to him. And when Martha who was in the kitchen burst in on the gathering asking for Mary’s help, he responded: ‘Mary has chosen the better portion’ (Luke 10:41-42).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How often do we seize the opportunity to sit at Jesus’ feet, reading and reflecting on the Words of Scripture? How often do we pause to pray, asking his Spirit to draw us into Jesus’ presence? How often do we go to church forgetting that we gather, first and foremost, to come into the Lord’s presence as his people? How often do we go out from church with no sense of having met with him, unchanged from the attitudes that we took in?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let me suggest that before going to bed tonight, read John 12:1-8 and pray over it, asking the Lord to draw you afresh into the riches of his love. Seize the time to offer or re-offer your life in heart-felt devotion, love and loyalty, as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord. Seize the day while there is time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. We beseech you, almighty God, to look in mercy on your people; that by your overwhelming goodness we may be governed and preserved evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://anglicanconnection.com/carpe-diem/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Mar 2022 13:16:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-30-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-29-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-29-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-29-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How Can I Know God's Will?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How can I know God’s will? That generic question takes shape in a host of intimidating choices God’s people face.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What if we could just flip a coin, draw straws, or roll dice and do whatever the object indicated? Didn’t people in the Bible do something like that sometimes? But before we cast off all responsibility for making reasoned decisions, we should try to understand lot casting in Scripture and determine whether it serves as a pattern for our decision-making today. If it doesn’t, is there a better way?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Question of Casting Lots
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Israel’s early years, God taught His people that “the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Prov.%2016%3A33/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prov. 16:33
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He also equipped the high priest with instruments known as the Urim and Thummim (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ex.%2028%3A30/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 28:30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Sam.%2014%3A41%3B%2028%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Sam. 14:41; 28:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ezra%202%3A63/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ezra 2:63
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), something like two stones which were placed in a bag and, as one or the other was drawn out, answered simple “yes” or “no” questions. The casting of lots identified the sacrificial scapegoat (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Lev.%2016%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lev. 16:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), the divisions of the land of Canaan (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Josh.%2018%3A6%E2%80%938/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Josh. 18:6–8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), and the tasks of the Levites and musicians (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Chron.%2024%3A31%3B%2025%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Chron. 24:31; 25:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The practice carried over into the New Testament among both the Jewish religious leaders (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%201%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 1:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and Christian disciples; Matthias was chosen by lot to replace the Apostle Judas (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%201%3A26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 1:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Conscientious lot casting was an appropriate way of discerning the Lord’s will in unique situations in which existing revelation provided insufficient insight.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So should such methods be used today? There are good reasons why John Piper says, “I think it’s a bad idea, almost always.”1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lot Casting Has Always Been Unusual
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The eighty Old Testament references to the lot represent just a tiny fraction of the decisions Scripture records. The overwhelming majority of decisions have always been made by the practice of wisdom. Godly people never cast lots to make decisions on the many matters about which God had already clearly revealed His will.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lot Casting Preceded God’s Complete Revelation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With one scriptural exception (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%201%3A26/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 1:26
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), lot casting was one of the many ways by which God spoke to His people in time past before speaking through His Son (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Heb.%201%3A1%E2%80%932/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 1:1–2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And the example of replacing Judas was special—Apostles had to be chosen directly by Jesus.2 Later, God gave the church clear instructions for identifying (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Tim.%203%3A1%E2%80%9313/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Tim. 3:1–13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Titus%201%3A5%E2%80%939/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Titus 1:5–9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and appointing leaders (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%206%3A1%E2%80%937/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 6:1–7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). R.C. Sproul argues that by casting lots, “We’re asking God to give us direct, immediate revelation which He gave in sacred Scripture. But when the canon of Scripture was closed we don’t get that kind of supernatural revelation afforded to us today. . . . We’re called to live our lives and to make our decisions on the basis of the teaching of Scripture.”3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Lot Casting Was a Pre-Pentecost Phenomenon
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the Old Testament, the Spirit occasionally helped people fulfill hard callings (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ex.%2028%3A30/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex. 28:30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), make tough decisions, and see beyond their contemporaries (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Dan.%205%3A11%2C%2014/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dan. 5:11, 14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Isaiah prophesied of Christ that “the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Isa.%2011%3A2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 11:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). When Christ ascended into heaven, He poured out “the Spirit of wisdom” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Eph.%201%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 1:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) on all believers. Paul can say of Christians, “You yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%2015%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 15:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Those with the mind of Christ (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Cor.%202%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 2:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) can know the things of God (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Cor.%202%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 2:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) in a way superior to Old Testament believers (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Peter%201%3A19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Peter 1:19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If used at all, casting lots should be a last resort preceded by prayer and careful thought on a matter not clearly addressed by Scripture, in which any of multiple decisions would honor God. So if we shouldn’t rely on lot casting to make decisions, what can we do?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Better Way
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What follows are seven principles for knowing God’s will. None are as easy as casting lots. But taken together they can help make us able to decide well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Don’t Pry into God’s Secret Will
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The good news is we don’t have to know God’s secrets. Our concern should be His revealed will in which He has shown us how to obey Him (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Deut.%2029%3A29/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Deut. 29:29
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). How can this distinction help us? Knowing where you should work is important. But don’t look for a sign in the clouds. You just have to provide for yourself (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Eph.%204%3A28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 4:28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) and others (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Tim.%205%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Tim. 5:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ) in a way that honors your gifts and opportunities, and the genuine interests of society. “God does not ask more of His child than He makes known as His will.”4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Internalize God’s Word
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Instead of using Scripture the way my kids use the “selected answers” section in the back of their math books, we should use it as an exercise regimen that fortifies us to make good decisions. Scripture informs our minds, shapes our hearts, and gives us the experience necessary to make good choices. The normal way of discerning God’s will is by transforming our minds (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%2012%3A1%E2%80%932/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 12:1–2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Eph.%205%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 5:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Scripture isn’t like a horoscope for finding easy answers. It is nourishing food that strengthens us to walk the hard path God has prepared for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Listen to Godly Counselors
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When the believing community matured, deacons could be chosen by a vote rather than by casting lots (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%206%3A1%E2%80%936%3B%2015%3A22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 6:1–6; 15:22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The church served as a multitude of counselors in which there is safety (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Prov.%2011%3A14/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prov. 11:14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Unless you are a fool (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Prov.%2012%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prov. 12:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), on weighty matters you will seek and carefully consider the input of wise people. Don’t invite others to tyrannize your conscience, but to provide insights that you have accidentally or purposefully missed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Make Little Decisions Well
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Big decisions will terrorize us if we aren’t habituated to wisely making small ones (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2016%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 16:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And most of our decisions are mundane. Will I read the Bible and pray today? Will I binge-watch YouTube or get the sleep I need to meet tomorrow’s challenges? Before making a major decision about marriage, you will have made thousands of little decisions about friendship, commitment, and integrity. “A man whose will is set on doing God’s will, as far as he knows it, is alone in the proper state for receiving further Divine illumination.”5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Observe Providence
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Because of God’s providence, some aspects of knowing and doing God’s will are contextualized. Didn’t get the scholarship you had hoped for? Some of your college options might need to be eliminated. No good church in the city of your job offer? You should probably turn it down. Providence won’t always tell us what to do, but it can be a factor. Paul was never certain where God would lead him, but he didn’t have to be. The Holy Spirit opened and closed doors (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%2016%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 16:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Still, we must resist allowing our burning desires or fears to make us misread providence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for Wisdom
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God praised Solomon for seeking godly wisdom (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Kings%203%3A5%E2%80%9314/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Kings 3:5–14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Paul petitioned God to enlighten the eyes of understanding (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Eph.%201%3A18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 1:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). When we lack wisdom for a particular decision, we should “ask God, who gives generously to all” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/James%201%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           James 1:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Asking for wisdom is not demanding a wet or dry fleece. It is asking for more astute sensitivity to God’s revealed principles, a closer resonance with His heart, and a stronger commitment to His value system.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Trust God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s sovereignty assures believers that when we commit to doing His will and make decisions according to His Word, we cannot go wrong. Our decisions will not always be wise. But God will always weave our choices into His good will. God’s grace assures believers that He loves us and will never leave us, no matter our failures. This is why God can command His children not to worry about life’s most basic decisions (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matt.%206%3A25/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 6:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), and to repent when we fail to trust. Godly decision-making is not easy, but it is simple. Maintain a clear conscience and make decisions that seem to best honor God. Big decisions will, and should, feel weighty. After all, our choices matter. But the Holy Spirit gives us both the wisdom and courage to decide well. Believers are not of those who shrink back but who do God’s will (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Heb.%2010%3A36%2C%2039/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heb. 10:36, 39
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). God’s elect children can make hard decisions trusting that they are as secure in Christ as Christ is in the Trinity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/know-god-will
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 29 Mar 2022 18:16:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-29-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-28-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-28-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-28-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Incense of Your Praise
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As a pleasing aroma I will accept you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Ezekiel%2020:41/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Ezekiel 20:41
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The merits of our great Redeemer are as a pleasing aroma to the Most High. Whether we speak of the active or passive righteousness of Christ, there is an equal fragrance. There was a pleasing aroma in His active life by which He honored the law of God and made every precept to glitter like a precious jewel in the pure setting of His own person.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Such, too, was His passive obedience, when He endured with unmurmuring submission hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness, and at the end sweat as it were great drops of blood in Gethsemane. He gave His back to the smiters and His cheeks to them that plucked out the hair and was fastened to the cruel wood, that He might suffer the wrath of God in our behalf. These two things are sweet before the Most High; and for the sake of His doing and His dying, His substitutionary sufferings and His vicarious obedience, the Lord our God accepts us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a preciousness there must be in Him to overcome our lack of preciousness! What a pleasing aroma to put away our nasty odor! What a cleansing power in His blood to take away sin such as ours! And what glory in His righteousness to make such unacceptable creatures to be accepted in the Beloved!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider, believer, how sure and unchanging is our acceptance, since it is in Him! Take care that you never doubt your acceptance in Jesus. You cannot be accepted without Christ; but when you have received His merit, you cannot be unaccepted. Despite all your doubts and fears and sins, Jehovah’s gracious eye never looks upon you in anger; though He sees sin in you, in yourself, yet when He looks at you through Christ, He sees no sin. You are always accepted in Christ, are always blessed and dear to the Father’s heart. Therefore lift up a song, and as you see the smoking incense of the Savior’s merit coming up this evening before the sapphire throne, let the incense of your praise go up also.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Mar 2022 14:48:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-28-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-25-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-25-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-25-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Son of Man
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Son of Man.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%203:13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            John 3:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How constantly our Master used the title, “the Son of Man!” If He had chosen, He might always have spoken of Himself as the Son of God, the Everlasting Father, the Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace; but behold the lowliness of Jesus! He prefers to call Himself the Son of Man. Let us learn a lesson of humility from our Savior; let us never court great titles nor proud degrees. There is here, however, a far sweeter thought. Jesus loved mankind so much that He delighted to honor it; and since it is a high honor, and indeed the greatest dignity of mankind, that Jesus is the Son of Man, He is willing to display this name, that He may, as it were, hang royal stars upon the breast of mankind and display the love of God to Abraham’s seed. Son of Man—whenever He said this, He shed a halo around the head of Adam’s children. Yet there is perhaps a more precious thought still. Jesus Christ called Himself the Son of Man to express His oneness and sympathy with His people. In this way He reminds us that He is the one whom we may approach without fear. As a man, we may take to Him all our griefs and troubles, for He knows them by experience. In that He Himself has suffered as “the Son of Man,” He is able to rescue and comfort us. We bless You, Lord Jesus, for using such a title to remind us and assure us that You are a brother. This is for us a token of Your grace, Your humility, Your love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Oh see how Jesus trusts Himself
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Unto our childish love,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           As though by His free ways with us
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our earnestness to prove!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           His sacred name a common word
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           On earth He loves to hear;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is no majesty in Him
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Which love may not come near.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Mar 2022 13:23:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-25-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-24-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-24-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-24-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sacred Spaces and Holy Places
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The God of Israel must really love rocks. One of the first things I noticed when I traveled to the Holy Land a few years ago is that there are rocks everywhere. The geology of the region is mostly limestone, which erodes easily and causes caves to form and rocks to break apart. It's actually quite similar to where I live in the Ozarks of Missouri, where we have lots of limestone, caves, and rocks as well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When I returned home from my trip to Israel in 2014, I began thinking of the world in a whole new way. I had seen people from every nation, tribe, and language gather together in places like Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Galilee, and the Jordan River. Although we didn't look the same and didn't speak the same language, we shared a common bond between us. There was a new appreciation of sacred spaces and holy places, and the realization that we would never be the same again.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So when I took a road trip out west with my brother in 2018, I was dumbstruck when we began our descent into Death Valley. It looked eerily similar to the region of the Dead Sea. Death Valley is the lowest point in the United States at 282 ft. below sea level, while the Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth at 1,400 ft. below sea level. Both areas were formed in the same way, being surrounded by mountains that keep storm systems from moving across, and the dryness of the region intensified by the depth of the valley. Both places brought about a strange sense of fear, wonder, and awe - and also the realization that the only way to survive a place like this is complete and total trust in God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They say that the land of Israel encompasses every type of topography on earth within a very small geographic area. It's not called the Promised Land for nothing. The God of Israel sent his Messiah to redeem all nations and all peoples, but he also did so in a way and in a place that would sanctify all lands and places.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So at Christmas we say we are in Bethlehem when we make a manger scene in the snow. On Palm Sunday we are in Jerusalem waving our palm branches and singing hosannas to the King. We are there in the upper room with Jesus every time we share a meal together in his name. We stand at the foot of the cross every time we confess our sins and receive his forgiveness. And we stand breathless before the empty tomb every time we confess, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herb Brokering was a Lutheran teacher and musician who wrote many books and hymns. In one of his books, he said he thought it strange that some people go to Israel and bring back bottles of water from the Jordan River to use for baptisms back home. They want to use the same water Jesus was baptized with. But that's not really how weather works. How it works is that water from a river evaporates and is pulled up into a cloud, which moves on to another place, and when the cloud is filled with enough moisture, it rains. That cycle happens again and again and again, so over the course of 2,000 years, some of the water in the Jordan eventually makes it to America where we can be baptized by water and the Word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The water of the Jordan from the days of Jesus is now in the heart of the USA. But Brokering reminds us that sometimes it’s important to go far away to learn of holy places back home.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rich Mullins writes of a similar experience in his song, Here in America.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Saints and children we have gathered here to hear the sacred story
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And I'm glad to bring it to you with my best rhyming and rhythm
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cause I know the thirsty listen and down to the waters come
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And if you listen to my songs I hope you hear the water falling
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I hope you feel the oceans crashing on the coast of north New England
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I wish I could be there just to see them, two summers past I was
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And if I were a painter I do not know which I'd paint
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The calling of the ancient stars or assembling of the saints
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There's so much beauty around us for just two eyes to see
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But everywhere I go, I'm looking
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And once I went to Appalachia for my father he was born there
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And I saw the mountains waking with the innocence of children
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And my soul is still there with them wrapped in the songs they brought
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And the Holy King of Israel loves me here in America"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.1517.org/articles/sacred-spaces-and-holy-places
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Mar 2022 13:22:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-24-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-23-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-23-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-23-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           'Looking for Life...?'
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eugene Ionesco’s, Exit the King is a clever play about life and death. Reportedly, the Romanian-French Ionesco who died in 1994, said about the play: I told myself that one could learn to die, that I could learn to die, that one can also help other people to die. This seems to me the most important thing we can do, since we’re all of us dying men who refuse to die. The play is an attempt at an apprenticeship in dying.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now I don’t want to be morbid, but I raise the subject for two reasons. First, Ionesco understood that because life is fleeting – as Ukranians know all too well right now – we need to consider our values and priorities. Second, in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal (Luke 15:11-24) a key theme is our lostness: we look for life in the wrong places.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Throughout his ministry Jesus of Nazareth challenges us all to consider our hearts’ desires.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The opening lines of Luke chapter 15 reveal that two very different groups of people were in Jesus’ audience at that time – what we might call the sinners and the saints. The sinners were society’s outcasts, the fraudsters and the immoral; the saints were the religious establishment. The first group needed to learn that at the heart of God’s nature is mercy and forgiveness; the second needed to be shocked out of their self-righteousness. The two groups had two very different views about life and death.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Knowing that mindsets are very hard to shift, Jesus didn’t preach a sermon nor engage in debate. He simply told three stories – about a shepherd who had lost a sheep, about a woman who had lost a coin, and about a father who had lost two sons. I’ll focus here on the father and his younger son.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The clever story opens with the younger son asking his father for his inheritance. The son, by asking this implies that he wished his father were dead. Nevertheless, the father gave him what he wanted. But it was not long before the money was gone. Having no friends or credit line, the son was soon without food and homeless. Worse followed. With a drought and a crash in primary industry, the best he could do was become a day-laborer, feeding pigs. Even so, he starved. His thoughts turned to home – to his father, the farm, and the food.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The son weighed the odds. ‘Here I am, feeding pigs,’ he reflected. ‘The casual-workers on Dad’s farm are better off than me. I’m a fool. I’ll have to bury my pride and go home. I’ll have to tell Dad I’m really sorry I messed up and don’t deserve a thing. I’ll ask him to take me in as one of the hired-workers.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ story would have captured everyone’s attention. Some hearers would have been saying to themselves, ‘That’s me.’ Another group would have said, ‘That son doesn’t deserve to be forgiven’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How would the father react? That is the question.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Like most fathers, he knew what his son was like and what he would do. But he still loved him. In fact, he’d been on the lookout for his return. And when word came that his son was on his way home, he immediately raced out to greet him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We need to feel the impact of Jesus’ story. No self-respecting citizen in that culture would ever run down the street. He would walk with dignity and deliberation. Furthermore, this father wasn’t racing out to greet a son who had graduated with a doctorate and made his first million before he was twenty-five. The father’s action came at a personal public humiliation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet the father not only ran but threw his arms around his son and kissed him. The son, no doubt overwhelmed, was honest and expressed his sorrow and deep repentance: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ Period. Full stop.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He had planned to add, ‘Treat me as one of your hired servants.’ But he now realized this was not appropriate. For the first time he understood that he’d never really known his father, nor how much his father loved him. He had never appreciated the privilege of being a son.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What was the younger son’s problem? He wanted his father’s wealth so he could enjoy all the pleasures that took his fancy without accountability.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here is heart of the human dilemma. We think that our possessions and the pleasures we pursue are the be-all and end-all of life. Reckoning they are secure we find they aren’t secure at all. We look for life in the wrong places because we’ve left God out of the equation of the meaning of life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ great longing is for us to be honest and humble enough to say, ‘Lord, I know you are true and I know everything I have comes from you. Please forgive me for turning my back on you. Help me to honor you above all else in life.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Can God find it in his heart to forgive us? Jesus also answers this. In verse 22 we read that before the younger son could catch his breath, his father was busy ordering new clothes, shoes, and a ring – the best of everything. The most elaborate and expensive feast was prepared, and the father tells us why: ‘For this my son was dead, now he is alive, he was lost but now he has been found.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Prayer of Humble Access takes up the principle of God’s willingness to forgive the repentant heart when it says the Lord’s nature is always to have mercy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We easily miss the force of the father’s words in Jesus’ story, ‘For this my son was dead, now he is alive…’ We may have everything the world offers, but until we have turned to Jesus Christ, in God’s sight we are the walking dead.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How good it is that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). And how good it is to have gospel ministries such as TheWord121 to introduce family and friends to him so that they may not die but have life forevermore.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty God, grant that we, who justly deserve to be punished for our sinful deeds, may in your mercy and kindness be pardoned and restored; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://anglicanconnection.com/looking-for-life/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Mar 2022 16:25:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-23-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-22-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-22-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-22-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5 Things You Should Know About the Apostle Paul
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ol&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Paul may have been the first to write among New Testament authors. Those critical of historic orthodox Christianity have long asserted significant discontinuity between the teachings of Jesus and the Apostle Paul. This criticism, in large part, arises from the fact that Paul only became part of the Christian movement after Jesus’ resurrection and the initial period of the church’s evangelical ministry after Pentecost. However, a good portion of Paul’s letters predate the earliest proposed dates for the Gospels, and some of Paul’s earliest letters may even predate James’ letter according to some proposals. Paul was not only influential in shaping the faith of the early church due to the amount he wrote, but also because his writings are possibly the earliest historical witness we have to Jesus Christ and His gospel.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Paul often wrote with a degree of collaboration with others. Many books have been written about Pauline theology. This is not surprising, given the incredible literary legacy he produced under the inspiration of the Spirit as the New Testament canon took shape. Masterpieces like Romans clearly demonstrate the genius of Paul’s theological mind. Even so, though Paul was undoubtedly the principal author of all his letters, his salutations clearly indicate that roughly half of his letters involved collaboration with fellow missionaries and ministers of the gospel. Paul was not a maverick or an ivory tower theologian; he often worked out his teaching and instruction to the churches in partnership with fellow believers.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Not everything Paul wrote was Scripture. God used Paul in a remarkable fashion to provide the church with thirteen inspired, infallible, and inerrant letters of teaching and instruction. However, it was not the case that Holy Scripture was produced every time Paul set ink to papyrus. Indeed, there are several places in Paul’s letters that mention other letters of his that were neither preserved nor ever recognized as Scripture by the early church. There were likely at least two other letters sent by Paul to the church in Corinth during his missionary work (
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Cor.%205%3A9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            1 Cor. 5:9
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ; 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Cor.%202%3A3%E2%80%934%2C%209%3B%207%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            2 Cor. 2:3–4, 9; 7:12
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ). The Apostle also makes mention of a letter he wrote to the Laodicean church when he wrote to the church at Colossae (
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Col.%204%3A15%E2%80%9316/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            Col. 4:15–16
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ). His intention was for the two churches to exchange the letters they had both received from him for their mutual benefit. Only Paul’s letter to the Colossians, however, would be recognized and received by the early church as Scripture.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Paul was probably not the most impressive individual when in person. Many notable Christian figures tend to possess certain natural gifts that commend them to positions of leadership. Regrettably, polished speech, infectious charisma, and a pleasant appearance can often conceal a significant amount of theological and ethical deficit for the less-than-faithful ones. Given the prominence of Paul’s letters in the New Testament, we might assume that this greatness corresponded with Paul’s persona and raw abilities. Yet, we find evidence in Scripture that Paul often wasn’t very impressive, appealing, or polished in person (e.g., 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Cor.%2010%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            2 Cor. 10:10
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ). This should remind us that Christ is magnified in our weakness, and that the advancement of the gospel is not dependent on earthly wisdom or natural ability.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Paul was probably in poor health throughout his ministry. Although extremely active and productive as a missionary, Paul likely suffered from chronic illness and pain throughout his ministry. His first visit to Galatia was occasioned by a physical ailment (
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gal.%204%3A13%E2%80%9314/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            Gal. 4:13–14
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ). We also know from his letter to the Galatians that Paul likely suffered from an eye condition that drew great empathy from the believers there (
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gal.%204%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            Gal. 4:15
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ) and caused him to write in large print when certifying his letter to them (
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gal.%206%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            Gal. 6:11
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ). This condition may have been what was behind Paul’s famous “thorn in the flesh” (
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Cor.%2012%3A7%E2%80%939/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            2 Cor. 12:7–9
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ). Aside from this, it’s not hard to imagine that the severe trauma Paul recounts in 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Cor.%2011%3A23%E2%80%9328/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
        
            2 Cor. 11:23–28
           &#xD;
      &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             likely left permanent marks upon his physical health as well. For Christians today who experience chronic pain and trauma, Paul’s legacy can be a welcome encouragement.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ol&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/5-things-paul
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Mar 2022 16:23:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-22-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-21-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-21-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-21-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is Man?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Job%2038:31/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Job 38:31
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we are inclined to boast of our abilities, the grandeur of nature will quickly show us how puny we are. We cannot move the least of all the twinkling stars or quench so much as one of the sunbeams of the morning. We speak of power, but the heavens laugh us to scorn. When the stars shine forth in spring-like joy, we cannot restrain their influences; and when Orion reigns above, and the year is bound in winter’s chains, we cannot relax the icy grip. The seasons arrive by divine appointment, and it is impossible for men to change the cycle. Lord, what is man?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the spiritual, as in the natural, world, man’s power is limited on all hands. When the Holy Spirit sheds abroad His delights in the soul, none can disturb; all the cunning and malice of men are unable to prevent the genial, quickening power of the Comforter. When He deigns to visit a church and revive it, the most inveterate enemies cannot resist the good work; they may ridicule it, but they can no more restrain it than they can push back the spring when the Pleiades rule the hour. God wills it, and so it must be.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On the other hand, if the Lord in sovereignty, or in justice, binds up a man so that his soul is in bondage, who can give him liberty? He alone can remove the winter of spiritual death from an individual or a people. He looses the bands of Orion, and none but He. What a blessing it is that He can do it. O that He would perform the wonder tonight. Lord, end my winter, and let my spring begin. I cannot with all my longings raise my soul out of her death and dullness, but all things are possible with You. I need heavenly influences, the clear shinings of Your love, the beams of Your grace, the light of Your countenance—these are as summer suns to me. I suffer greatly from sin and temptation; these are my terrible wintry signs. Lord, work wonders in me, and for me. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Mar 2022 14:26:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-21-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Dave</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-dave</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Dave+Block+SBO+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pics by Dave Block
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Mar 2022 20:25:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-dave</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Matthew</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-matthew</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Matthew+Redondo+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Special Report and Pics by Matthew Redondo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/jgszXvZZXE7x6bwR7" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Matthew+Redondo+Super+Bowl+Outreach+2022+LA.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Super Bowl Outreach Los Angeles 2022
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew Redondo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My team included Mike, Diego, Richard, Jacob, Shayna, Marisa, Johnathan, John and myself. After a time of prayer and training, we left for outreach at Venice Beach. We setup our table near a large opening on the boardwalk. We had a large sign that read “Need Prayer? Free Bible.” While amplification was prohibited, we began to preach on the mic and soon moved on to the large speaker. But as we started one of the local businesses started to play music loudly to drown us out. We continued to preach while several of the team were engaged in Gospel conversations. Eventually police came and said we had to move to the performance designated area. So, we complied and moved down to an area marked with a yellow square near Windward and Pacific. This ended up being a much better spot, with more foot traffic and in the center of the action.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We preached there all day and had a steady flow of people to talk to. Talked with homeless, young people, homosexuals, couples. Prayed with many and gave out much Gospel literature. When one person was leading a discussion, another person would rotate in and take over. This kept people engaged for a long time. When I was preaching one homeless man came and laid down at my feet. After a while he started to remove his pants and wasn’t wearing anything under them. At this I stopped, and we called 911. Marisa tried praying for him to be delivered from demons and he told us not to pray for him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The next day after teaching and prayer we went to downtown LA near the convention center. The NFL experience was being held there and since LA’s team was in the game thousands of fans came out. There were literally thousands of people all day long to preach to. We preached for hours rotating every 30 mins and after a while set up a second speaker across the street on a little grassy hill. The sound literally carried through the tall buildings, and many could throughout downtown. When I was preaching another homeless man stood in front of me and started to do yoga and dance. Otherwise, the city seemed very receptive to the Gospel. We hardly had any hecklers, gave out many tracts and prayed with many. We did encounter hate preachers and tried to make clear we were not them. At one point I challenged them and ask why they didn’t use the Bible and they told me to leave.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On the last day since most teams were going to the stadium to do outreach at the game, our team wanted to go Hollywood Blvd. This area was particularly oppressive. Many of our team struggled with discouragement or physical discomfort throughout the day. There were also many homeless. We did get to preach right next to the historic Chinese Mann Theater and witnessed to many all day long. We didn’t have to compete with street musicians and were basically unhindered. Many people received Bibles, were prayed for, we even got to pray with 4 young men to trust Christ as Savior and Lord. At one point there was a man dressed as Jesus who we got to share the Gospel and exhort him to repent.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Mar 2022 19:52:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-matthew</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-18-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-18-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-18-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Divine Method of Love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As the father has loved me, so have I loved you.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/John%2015:9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            John 15:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As the Father loves the Son, in the same manner Jesus loves His people. What is that divine method? He loved Him without beginning, and thus Jesus loves His members. “I have loved you with an everlasting love.”1 You can trace the beginning of human affection; you can easily find the beginning of your love to Christ. But His love to us is a stream whose source is hidden in eternity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God the Father loves Jesus without any change. Christian, take this for your comfort, that there is no change in Jesus Christ’s love to those who rest in Him. Yesterday you were on the mountain, and you said, “He loves me.” Today you are in the valley of humiliation, but He loves you still the same. On the hills and among the peaks, you heard His voice, which spoke so sweetly of His love; and now on the sea, or even in the sea, when all His waves and billows go over you, His heart is still faithful to His ancient choice.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Father loves the Son without any end, and this is how the Son loves His people. Saint, you need not fear the prospect of death, for His love for you will never cease. Rest confident that even down to the grave Christ will go with you, and that up again from it He will be your guide to the celestial hills.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Moreover, the Father loves the Son without any measure, and this is the same immeasurable love the Son bestows upon His chosen ones. The whole heart of Christ is dedicated to His people. He “loved us and gave himself for us.” His is a love that surpasses knowledge. We have indeed an immutable Savior, a precious Savior, one who loves without measure, without change, without beginning, and without end, even as the Father loves Him! There is rich food here for those who know how to digest it. May the Holy Spirit lead us into its marrow and fatness!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Jeremiah 31:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Mar 2022 14:11:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-18-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Mason</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-mason</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mason+GoodKnight+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           SBO Report, Pics, and Video by 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/mason.goodknight?__cft__[0]=AZWNC5NmUkJY5lN2TGCYWCMiPfQ00uYeqIz0NoGsLYBB9C9xYfK3fFhUi-Svc8DD4vIxcfD84jkxpcNECMdrAaVx2v7qDRowtNJoEr0Y5QuU81tyKDjB330o56p8HS92Wh8&amp;amp;__tn__=-UC%2CP-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mason Goodknight
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Amazing story from the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWNC5NmUkJY5lN2TGCYWCMiPfQ00uYeqIz0NoGsLYBB9C9xYfK3fFhUi-Svc8DD4vIxcfD84jkxpcNECMdrAaVx2v7qDRowtNJoEr0Y5QuU81tyKDjB330o56p8HS92Wh8&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Outreach to the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheSantaMonicaPier/?__cft__[0]=AZWNC5NmUkJY5lN2TGCYWCMiPfQ00uYeqIz0NoGsLYBB9C9xYfK3fFhUi-Svc8DD4vIxcfD84jkxpcNECMdrAaVx2v7qDRowtNJoEr0Y5QuU81tyKDjB330o56p8HS92Wh8&amp;amp;__tn__=kK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Santa Monica Pier
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            on 2/12/22 during 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sbo22?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWNC5NmUkJY5lN2TGCYWCMiPfQ00uYeqIz0NoGsLYBB9C9xYfK3fFhUi-Svc8DD4vIxcfD84jkxpcNECMdrAaVx2v7qDRowtNJoEr0Y5QuU81tyKDjB330o56p8HS92Wh8&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SBO22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/JesusSaves007?__cft__[0]=AZWNC5NmUkJY5lN2TGCYWCMiPfQ00uYeqIz0NoGsLYBB9C9xYfK3fFhUi-Svc8DD4vIxcfD84jkxpcNECMdrAaVx2v7qDRowtNJoEr0Y5QuU81tyKDjB330o56p8HS92Wh8&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeff Warner
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            wanted to preach one last time so we postponed leaving. During his message Letty and Tiffany showed up and just kind of stood there taking everything in. I asked them if we could answer any questions they had. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1246368877&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWNC5NmUkJY5lN2TGCYWCMiPfQ00uYeqIz0NoGsLYBB9C9xYfK3fFhUi-Svc8DD4vIxcfD84jkxpcNECMdrAaVx2v7qDRowtNJoEr0Y5QuU81tyKDjB330o56p8HS92Wh8&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ryan Clark
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and I were together. And we expected to either get no response or possibly a negative one.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Long story short, they actually asked us if we could help them to evangelize and be as bold as we were! We almost fell over! Ryan asked them how they would give the gospel to someone and they did have a right grasp of gospel basics.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They then told us they went for the very first time to a Planned Parenthood murder mill that morning for outreach! They also said that they decided to drive the 2 hours from Riverside to the pier that night to evangelize having absolutely no idea what to do! They said they sat in the parking lot and prayed, asking God to help them evangelize. Then they walked down the pier and passed at least 3 other groups of folks evangelizing, some with bad theology, before God brought them to us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If God hadn't given Jeff the zeal for law and gospel proclamation, we would have been gone before they arrived and before I could've asked them if they had questions! God is so good!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our team leader 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/heath.pucel?__cft__[0]=AZWNC5NmUkJY5lN2TGCYWCMiPfQ00uYeqIz0NoGsLYBB9C9xYfK3fFhUi-Svc8DD4vIxcfD84jkxpcNECMdrAaVx2v7qDRowtNJoEr0Y5QuU81tyKDjB330o56p8HS92Wh8&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Heath Pucel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            overheard and brought over a couple hundred tracts for the young ladies and I was able to get them website information for tracts and training resources and ministry contact email. We also encouraged them to ask their pastor for help and to feel free to have him reach out if he had any questions or concerns. We prayed with and for them as a team.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Anyway, I think most of our team would tell you that was their highlight of the night if not the weekend. Please pray for Letty and Tiffany that God would use them for His glory, saved souls, and babies lives as they grow in knowledge, wisdom, and grace! Soli Deo Gloria!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/3+Mason+Goodknight+Super+Bowl+Outreach+SBO+2022.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sbo22?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUY0B6j5kPURSeGCHc4aWASJebvYHlozYwdBaP7ZmWKuHz9SltzmBqy4eT640FxJGTfTJZdFl7Z6WgGAnPqYLoDRwbQ8TDHZpHvZT_cdkS9ucpHzChd-5ewgnRGy3B3St0&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Super Bowl Outreach '22 Friday LA Convention Center #SBO22 #SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch video now&amp;gt;&amp;gt;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/1775963228/videos/443072754165792/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/1775963228/videos/443072754165792/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sbo22?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUY0B6j5kPURSeGCHc4aWASJebvYHlozYwdBaP7ZmWKuHz9SltzmBqy4eT640FxJGTfTJZdFl7Z6WgGAnPqYLoDRwbQ8TDHZpHvZT_cdkS9ucpHzChd-5ewgnRGy3B3St0&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SBO22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZUY0B6j5kPURSeGCHc4aWASJebvYHlozYwdBaP7ZmWKuHz9SltzmBqy4eT640FxJGTfTJZdFl7Z6WgGAnPqYLoDRwbQ8TDHZpHvZT_cdkS9ucpHzChd-5ewgnRGy3B3St0&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Outreach to the Santa Monica Pier
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch video now&amp;gt;&amp;gt;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/1775963228/videos/1613377115705292/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/1775963228/videos/1613377115705292/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More Outreach to the Santa Monica Pier
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sbo22?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWXI-QAF_ciRkwInHhXyobLY10Zt4LUzklbtivy7hdfIWghpGIaigu_SV8b9MaoYKxKQYXfuoJ5SccRXUIxtcU5QENf7X_W1pU3NBtSsPykuKoLcwvs90zRYQTS7tgmlLQ&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SBO22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWXI-QAF_ciRkwInHhXyobLY10Zt4LUzklbtivy7hdfIWghpGIaigu_SV8b9MaoYKxKQYXfuoJ5SccRXUIxtcU5QENf7X_W1pU3NBtSsPykuKoLcwvs90zRYQTS7tgmlLQ&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch video now&amp;gt;&amp;gt;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/1775963228/videos/280853457332357/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/1775963228/videos/280853457332357/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another Friday 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sbo22?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXxarnI4dCplAqwNRPLn8rgd51b2hpTbmahAaU3x93OoQFTpHjRG27z8te9wV7S3oKyuHGrMZafemRHIbnsmZ9W6XtLVlsRKT417HVhRhDBL94gcNqNtebeK0dtRYgOiVA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SBO22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Session here at the NFL Experience 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sbo22?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXxarnI4dCplAqwNRPLn8rgd51b2hpTbmahAaU3x93OoQFTpHjRG27z8te9wV7S3oKyuHGrMZafemRHIbnsmZ9W6XtLVlsRKT417HVhRhDBL94gcNqNtebeK0dtRYgOiVA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SBO22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXxarnI4dCplAqwNRPLn8rgd51b2hpTbmahAaU3x93OoQFTpHjRG27z8te9wV7S3oKyuHGrMZafemRHIbnsmZ9W6XtLVlsRKT417HVhRhDBL94gcNqNtebeK0dtRYgOiVA&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch video now&amp;gt;&amp;gt;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/1775963228/videos/369683327952258/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/1775963228/videos/280853457332357/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           More 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sbo22?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWP3jAOa-obR6MkTW24ABNXdLPUP9dxrI1ezY0rhCpzBkoJQQlhYYuzQTsAPIVu8ZIoDo8Cw4T2moo1yuUsVk-SKpmoRVJCHZe7w4pW1F8Z5RtVc1UdQebaQZnBZI3f7mE&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SBO22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Outreach on SuperBowl Sunday 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZWP3jAOa-obR6MkTW24ABNXdLPUP9dxrI1ezY0rhCpzBkoJQQlhYYuzQTsAPIVu8ZIoDo8Cw4T2moo1yuUsVk-SKpmoRVJCHZe7w4pW1F8Z5RtVc1UdQebaQZnBZI3f7mE&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch video now&amp;gt;&amp;gt;
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/1775963228/videos/463455412045939/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.facebook.com/1775963228/videos/463455412045939/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 17 Mar 2022 21:07:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-mason</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Jesse</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-jesse</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Jesse+Gomez+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesse Gomez 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           - Podcast episode of his experience with the SB Outreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 17 Mar 2022 20:02:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-jesse</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-17-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-17-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You Can Die Now
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Texts: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%202%3A22%E2%80%9340/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 2:22–40
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            / 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Hebrews%202%3A14%E2%80%9318/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hebrews 2:14–18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You can die now. You don't have to go on pretending you are something you are not. You don't have to keep hanging grimly to self‑appointed dreams, assailing the seasons as you grow old, troubling a seemingly deaf heaven with your "bootless cries." It has all happened. You have seen it all and heard it all. You can die now.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Strange words? Especially to a congregation so young and vibrant and full of hopes and dreams and aspirations as this one? Strange words? Perhaps. But actually, you know, you have been singing those words – or words like them – these many years, singing the song of old Simeon on that day when the child Jesus was presented at the temple. "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Old Simeon: righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel. Hanging on; waiting; watching the endless procession of people up to the temple to fulfill the requirements of the law – the law, that cradle subject to endless tinkering and elaboration and embellishment. No doubt loving that law, cherishing the cradle – yet knowing that for all that, it was empty and perhaps fearing, too, that maybe that's all there was.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hanging on until his hands grew weary and his knuckles white. But then one day it happened. The Spirit told him, "This is it!" The Lord has suddenly come to his temple! There was a baby in the cradle. So old Simeon could sing his swan song – the song that has echoed down through the ages. I can die now. I have seen what there is to see.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And old Anna, the prophetess with nothing really to say. Eighty years old and nothing to say! Hanging around the temple, waiting, worshipping with fasting and prayer day and night. Old Anna finally found the words. She gave thanks to God and spoke of that baby in the cradle to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And so it is. The Lord has come to his temple. We have found the words. "This is my body given for you." "This is my blood of the New Testament, given for the remission of your sins." "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So it is true. You've heard what there is to hear, seen what there is to see, you can taste it. You can sing Simeon's song. You can die now, you can let go, and because that is true, you can begin to live!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.1517.org/articles/you-can-die-now
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 17 Mar 2022 14:18:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Bryan Conwell</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-bryan-conwell</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Bryan+Conwell+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bryan Conwell 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Videos
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 16 Mar 2022 22:37:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-bryan-conwell</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-16-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-16-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-16-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           'A Wake-Up...'
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With the continued missile onslaught on the cities of Ukraine we feel the pain and the suffering and the loss of life. ‘Why this evil and suffering in this 21st century?’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his 1940s book, The Problem of Pain, CS Lewis considers the question of pain and suffering from the perspective of the meaning and purpose of life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He comments: If the first and lowest operation of pain shatters the illusion that all is well, the second shatters the illusion that what we have, whether good or bad in itself, is our own and enough for us. Everyone has noticed how hard it is to turn our thoughts to God when everything is going well with us. We ‘have all we want’ is a terrible saying when ‘all’ does not include God. We find God an interruption. As St. Augustine says somewhere ‘God wants to give us something, but cannot, because our hands are full—there’s nowhere for Him to put it.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the opening lines of Luke chapter 13, we read Jesus’ comments about an evil that Pilate, the Roman governor in Judea, had perpetrated. He had mingled the blood of some Galileans with the Jewish sacrifices, perhaps at Passover time (13:1). While the event is not documented elsewhere, we know from Josephus (The Life of Flavius Josephus17 and The Antiquities of the Jews 17, 9, 3) that the Galileans tended to aggravate the Roman rulers and that they in turn responded harshly to any form of opposition.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ words are tough: ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans?’ he asked. ‘No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did…’(13:2-3).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘Be warned,’ Jesus is saying, ‘all men and women are out of step with their Maker – and so too is planet earth.’ Certainly, every volcano and flood, every conflict and war, are testimony to that. Life as we know it is unpredictable and fleeting. We need to wake up and turn back to God while we have time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To ignore Jesus is to head towards a fate even more tragic than that of those Galileans, for we will be exposing ourselves to the second death of which Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 12:4-5. If we wake up to the critical times in which we live we can turn to God and ask for his grace to live our lives in harmony with him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           CS Lewis observes: Pain is not only immediately recognizable evil, but evil impossible to ignore. We can rest contentedly in our sins and in our stupidities; and anyone who has watched gluttons shoveling down the most exquisite foods as if they did not know what they were eating, will admit that we can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world…’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus pointed out that the choice we have is not only difficult and vital but is also urgent. He takes up this theme in a parable he tells (13:6-9). Gardeners know how easy it is to pull out an unproductive plant. However, wise gardeners will curb their impatience and wait. They will feed the plant, prune it, perhaps even cut some of the roots to stimulate it. Only when they find their careful endeavors are to no avail will they cut it down: ‘Let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down’ (13:8-9).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many years ago I was involved in setting up a new school. Two or three large eucalyptus trees in the grounds were dying because of a prolonged drought. After digging around the tree roots, we set sprinklers every evening. As the water soaked into the ground, the trees began to regenerate and produce new growth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The vineyard in Jesus’ parable sometimes symbolized the people of Israel(see Isaiah 5:1-7). However, while Jesus would have had in mind the people of Israel, his application is more general. He is reminding everyone of two themes that he develops – a final day when God will call everyone to account for their relationship with him (the first commandment), and God’s delay in the timing of that day. Jesus doesn’t want us to confuse God’s patience with indifference.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s non-intervention in times of evident evil doesn’t mean that he is indifferent. Rather, because he is extraordinarily patient, he exercises great self-control and chooses to wait. Yes, there are times when we may be tempted to think that Jesus will never return. He tells this parable to reassure us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two critical events would shortly touch the lives of his hearers – first, Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection; second, in 70AD, the fall of Jerusalem, which he predicted (see Luke 21:20-24). In Luke chapter 13 Jesus says there would be a third crisis yet to come that would affect the whole world: his return. For centuries the Jewish people had been waiting for the dawn of the age of the Messiah. ‘Well,’ Jesus is saying, ‘It is here; you are standing on the threshold of the new age, the edge of eternity.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus asks us today: ‘How is it that you do not see the signs of the times in which you live?’ None of us can predict the future, but we can be assured that Jesus will return. His second coming will be very different from his first. It will not be a small, silent event, seen by only a few, but will come with great fanfare to be seen by everyone. If we are tempted to doubt Jesus’ words, we should note that the first two of his predictions have occurred!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty God, we confess that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves: keep us outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, so that we may be defended from all adversities that may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://anglicanconnection.com/a-wake-up/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 16 Mar 2022 14:28:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-16-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-15-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-15-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-15-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Can Christians "Do Business" With the World?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In recent decades, a number of prominent Christian organizations and denominations have called for Christians to boycott businesses that are associated in some way with non-Christian ethics. Over the years, these groups have called for boycotts of companies and products such as American Airlines, The Gap, Burger King, Clorox, Crest, Ford, Hallmark Cards, Kraft Foods, Microsoft, the Walt Disney Company, IKEA, Pampers, Target, the Campbell Soup Company, and many more.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Homosexuality and abortion have been the major issues that have inspired these boycotts. For example, some of the boycotted companies give employee benefits to homosexual couples, advertise in pro-homosexual magazines, or donate to pro-homosexual advocacy groups. Numerous companies financially support pro-abortion organizations such as Planned Parenthood.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These calls for boycotts stem from a belief on the part of some Christians that all believers have a moral obligation to boycott any company that supports sinful behavior such as homosexuality or abortion. Their motivation is a noble one, for they are attempting to follow the biblical mandate to obey God’s Word and to not love the things of this world (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20John%202%3A15%E2%80%9317/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 2:15–17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Eph.%205%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 5:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/James%204%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           James 4:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Other Christians argue that Scripture does not place such a moral obligation on all Christians. These Christians point out that the aforementioned commands deal with love of the world’s system of thinking—that is, its evil worldview. They say that boycotting any business that is associated with non-Christian ethics in any way goes beyond the biblical meaning of separation and, if taken to its logical conclusion, would require that Christians abandon the world. Christians would not be of the world—which is good—but neither would they be in it—which is not good.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What shall we say to these things? First, let us note that people on both sides of this issue believe that we may not compromise the holy standards of God. We all agree that we must not capitulate to our culture’s definition of right and wrong, and that we must resist calls for Christians to redefine biblical ethics.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, it is one thing to stand strong on what God defines as sin, but it is another to say this requires us to boycott any business that is involved tangentially with sin.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul gives an essential principle regarding associating with non-Christians:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Cor.%205%3A9%E2%80%9313/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 5:9–13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Note that Paul clarifies some teaching that he had previously delivered to the Corinthians. Apparently, some in the Corinthian church took Paul’s admonition to separate from immoral people as a command to separate from all immoral people without distinction. But that is not what he meant. He clarifies his point by saying that the ones from whom we must separate are immoral people who bear “the name of” brothers (v. 11). The Apostle is referring to individuals who insist on calling themselves Christians while living in grievous, impenitent sin. Separation pertains to the visible church. Paul wants the church to present a good witness to the world around her by remaining as pure as possible on this side of heaven. That means removing from the visible church anyone who claims to be a believer and impenitently bears the fruits of wickedness and not the fruits of regeneration. The entire chapter is dealing with a church discipline issue, with a problem among those in Corinth who professed the name of Christ and not every Corinthian citizen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To be sure, we are to refrain from personal sin and to encourage godly living, but that is different than staying away from impenitent sinners who make no claim to being Christians. The only way to do that, Paul notes, would be to remove ourselves entirely from the world (vv. 9–10). Paul’s clarification on the matter shows that he does not want us to remove ourselves from the world. He wants us to associate with sinners—not in endorsing or joining in their sin, but in making ourselves available to them so that they can hear the gospel. This is what Jesus did (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Mark%202%3A13%E2%80%9317/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 2:13–17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), and the Apostles did the same as they took the gospel to pagan sinners (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Cor.%206%3A9%E2%80%9311/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 6:9–11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Therefore, because we are not to separate from the world into a Christian ghetto, we have to participate in the world’s economy and do business with our non-Christian neighbors. There is no way around it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That is all well and good, you might say, but should we not distinguish between non-Christians who promote immorality openly and those who do not, and then take our business to the former? Does not our purchasing from those who promote sin make us responsible for sin because our dollars might be going to the promotion of evil? There are two passages that bear on this subject. In 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Romans%2013%3A6%E2%80%937/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 13:6–7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , Paul explains that Christians are to pay their taxes, thereby echoing the teaching of our Lord in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew%2022%3A15%E2%80%9322/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 22:15–22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . This is significant because the specific government to which Jesus and Paul commanded Christians to pay taxes was the Roman government, which supported and condoned heinous activities. In fact, Jesus commended the paying of taxes to the very authorities He knew would soon crucify Him. The Roman Empire was not merely non-Christian—it was anti-Christian. And yet, both our Lord and the Apostle Paul instruct Christians to pay taxes to that government. Since Jesus and Paul would never tell us to do anything that involves us in sin, we may deduce from these passages that Christians are not morally responsible if their tax dollars are used for sinful purposes. And if we are not morally responsible for what the government does with our tax dollars, we are certainly not responsible for what companies do with our purchasing dollars. We do not intend to support sin with our purchases; we simply need a good or service. When we buy chicken from a supermarket that supports Planned Parenthood, for example, we are not trying to fund abortion. We just need food for our families.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are to be in the world, and being in this world means participating in the economies of this world. So, we must respectfully disagree with our fellow Christians who insist that all believers are morally obligated to boycott any company that supports sinful behavior.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Therefore, we choose to do business with non-Christians. We choose to live among them. We choose to do so in order that we might call them out of darkness and into light. We do so in imitation of our Lord who did not abandon us when we were His enemies, and who came and lived among us and died for us that we might live.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/can-christians-do-business-world
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Mar 2022 17:49:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-15-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-14-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-14-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-14-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be On Your Guard
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I will guard my ways.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2039:1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Psalms 39:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fellow-pilgrim, do not say in your heart, “I will go here and there, and I will not sin,” for you are never so out of danger of sinning as to boast of security. The road is very muddy; it will be hard to pick your path so as not to soil your garments. This is a dirty world, and you will need to stay alert if you are to keep your hands clean. There is a robber at every turn of the road to rob you of your jewels; there is a temptation in every mercy; there is a snare in every joy; and if you ever reach heaven, it will be a miracle of divine grace to be ascribed entirely to your Father’s power.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be on your guard. When a man carries fireworks in his hand, he should be careful that he does not go near a candle; and you too must take care that you do not succumb to temptation. Even your everyday activities are sharp-edged tools; you must mind how you handle them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is nothing in this world to foster a Christian’s piety, but everything to destroy it. How concerned you should be to look up to God, that He may keep you! Your prayer should be, “Hold me up, and I shall be safe.” Having prayed, you must also watch, guarding every thought, word, and action, with holy jealousy. Do not expose yourselves unnecessarily; but if called to exposure, if you are called to go where the darts are flying, never venture forth without your shield; for if once the devil finds you without your armor, he will rejoice that his hour of triumph is come and will soon make you fall down wounded by his arrows. Although you cannot be killed, you may be wounded.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Be sober-minded; be watchful—danger may befall you at a time when everything seems to be secure. Therefore, pay attention, stay alert, watch and pray. No man ever fell into error through being too watchful. May the Holy Spirit guide us in all our ways, so they shall always please the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Mar 2022 14:33:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-14-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-11-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-11-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-11-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sought Out
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You shall be called Sought Out.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Isaiah%2062:12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Isaiah 62:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The surpassing grace of God is seen very clearly in that we were not only sought, but sought out. Men seek for a thing that is lost upon the floor of the house, but in such a case there is only seeking, not seeking out. The loss is more perplexing and the search more persevering when a thing is sought out. We were mingled with the mire: We were as when some precious piece of gold falls into the sewer, and men gather out and carefully inspect a mass of abominable filth, and continue to stir and rake, and search among the heap until the treasure is found. Or, to use another figure, we were lost in a maze; we wandered here and there, and when mercy came after us with the Gospel, it did not find us at the first coming—it had to search for us and seek us out; for we as lost sheep were so desperately lost and had wandered into such a strange country that it did not seem possible that even the Good Shepherd could track our devious roamings.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Glory be to unconquerable grace, we were sought out! No darkness could hide us, no filthiness could conceal us; we were found and brought home. Glory be to infinite love—God the Holy Spirit restored us!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If the lives of some of God’s people could be written, they would fill us with holy astonishment. Strange and marvelous are the ways that God used in their case to find His own. Blessed be His name, He never relinquishes the search until the chosen are sought out effectually. They are not a people sought today and cast away tomorrow. Almightiness and wisdom combined will make no failures; they shall be called, “Sought Out!” That any should be sought out is matchless grace, but that we should be sought out is grace beyond degree! We can find no reason for it but God’s own sovereign love and can only lift up our heart in wonder and praise the Lord that this night we wear the name of “Sought Out.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 11 Mar 2022 18:58:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-11-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Tom Cabral</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-tom-cabral</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Tom+Cabral+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tom Cabral
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Photos and Video
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 10 Mar 2022 21:52:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-tom-cabral</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Michael</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-michael</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Michael+Seethaler+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Michael Seethaler Preaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 10 Mar 2022 20:34:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-michael</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-10-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-10-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-10-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           500th Anniversary: Luther's Invocavit Sermon (Part 2)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Martin Luther arrived home to Wittenberg from his Wartburg stay on Thursday, March 6, 1522. With all the controversies he’d contend with that had arisen in his absence, at least one had been resolved. His friend Nicholas von Amsdorf, who had accompanied the reformer to the Diet of Worms and was present when he was “abducted” and taken to their prince’s fortress above Eisenach, had been appointed to serve as preacher at the Wittenberg city church. Even so, Luther was entering a hot zone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Although there were signs that some thought the only way forward would be outright rebellion, the situation in Wittenberg was bad enough. Luther’s colleague Andreas Karlstadt and others had raised a furor over changes in the mass. Karlstadt led worship without donning vestments. German replaced Latin as the language of the mass. There was agitation for the removal of statues and other images. People had read enough of Luther’s output to imagine necessary changes in the “we’ve always done it this way” mode of ecclesiastical activity. Their urgency demanded change be done now. But if rebellion was going to happen, Luther sought to prevent it from happening in his town on his watch.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On Saturday, March 8, Luther pulled together the Wittenberg circle of Philip Melanchthon, Justus Jonas, Nicholas von Amsdorf, and Hieronymus Schurf for a strategy session. He stepped into the pulpit to preach the next morning. March 9 was Invocavit Sunday, the first Sunday in Lent when the appointed introit for worship was 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Psalm%2091/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 91
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . In the psalm the Lord speaks: “He will call on me [invocavit in Latin], and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” From that Sunday morning to the next, Luther preached a series of eight unusually brief sermons that effectively quelled the unrest. What’s more, his sermons [LW 51:70ff] offer a primer on how to approach change in the church and on what stands at the core of our mission together and informs any change we might imagine.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luther began his first sermon by reminding his hearers of the responsibility they had for knowing the central tenets of the faith. Years later Luther argued that the primary tool lay people needed in their hands was a well-calibrated theological crap detector. Without it, they would be clueless in the face of bad doctrine and weak preaching. “Everyone must … know and be armed with the chef things which concern a Christian. And these are what you, my beloved, have heard from me many days ago.” Luther goes on to list the essentials:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            First, “[w]e are all the children of wrath, and all our works, intentions, and thoughts are nothing at all.” In other words, to paraphrase Duke Ellington, we got it bad and that ain’t good.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Second, God gives Christ so that “we may believe in him and that whoever trusts in him shall be free from sin and a child of God.” (Luther said there were just a few people in the congregation who knew this. There might have even been ten among them who could be counted on to trust Jesus!)
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Third, faith moves us to bear love in the world. “Dear friends, the kingdom of God,—and we are that kingdom—does not consist in talk or words, but in activity, in deeds, in works and exercises.” Luther desired a real living faith rather than a counterfeit one.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Fourth, such love for others compels us to turn away from the rights the sinner in us demands and toward a patient concern with others. In other words, a life of faith and love will often feel like a burden and require a willingness to suffer.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The suffering Luther had in mind involves staving off demands for immediate satisfaction in the matter of reforms. He quoted Paul in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Cor.%206%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 6:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , that all things are lawful for me, but not all things are beneficial. Here he gave us one of his greatest images that rivals the picture of us as asses ridden by God and the Devil (in Bondage of the Will). When it comes to change, we are like babes learning to eat. “What does a mother do to her child? First, she gives it milk, then gruel, then eggs and soft food, whereas if she turned about and gave it solid food, the child would never thrive.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What the agitators had done in Wittenberg was force food that would be a delight for an adult alimentary canal down the throats of theological naifs. In the process those new to Luther’s explosive reclamation of the gospel would choke, and their faith would die. He said, “Dear brother, if you have suckled long enough, do not at once cut off the breast, but let your brother be suckled as you were suckled.” He told the Wittenbergers straight out: “I would not have gone so far as you have done, if I had been here. The cause is good, but there has been too much haste. For there are still brothers and sisters on the other side who belong to us and must still be won.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The upshot of the first Invocavit sermon is that people had made a “must” out of what was free. What the agitators had done was create a situation in which people on their deathbed would not be certain of what Christ had done, because the iconoclasts had attempted to add something to his work. Thus, Luther urged his hearers to “feed others also with the milk which we received, until they, too, become strong in faith.” In the next seven sermons Luther dealt with each issue in turn.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ul&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            On Monday addressed changes in the mass and opposed any coercion.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            On Tuesday he again reminded people that when it came to the “musts,” “no one should be dragged to them or away from them by the hair. He pointed to the question of images as something to beat no one with a club over, because Moses’ serpent on the staff was precedent for the acceptability of images.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            On Wednesday, Luther said the 16th century equivalent of giving up something for Lent was not a “must” but a “freedom.” What’s important is that our optional practices don’t become a judgment on those who don’t fall in line with them.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            On Thursday, he told the hearers that having both bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper doesn’t make them any better. In fact, he said, there were some ostensibly good Christians in Wittenberg who communed in both kinds and then go home “to their brandy and swill themselves full.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            On Friday, Luther argued that piety and practices don’t make a person worthy to receive Christ’s body and blood. It’s not for solid spiritual superheroes but is instead food for “hungering and longing” people. Christ “delights to enter a hungry soul, which is constantly battling with its sins and eager to be rid of them.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            On Saturday, Luther said the fruit of the sacrament is not more piety and holy abstention from the world but a loving engagement with it. The clamor in Wittenberg had been evidence of the word having been “revealed and preached in vain.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ul&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his final sermon on Sunday, March 16, Luther’s topic was confession. Here he circled back to Invocavit Sunday where he said we start our understanding of the faith with the knowledge of sin. Confession is not another ecclesiastical bludgeon but is instead a gift. There we can tell the truth about ourselves, knowing that Christ has only mercy for us in response. The arc of the eight sermons depicts the Christian life as a constant circling back to what grounds us: awareness of sin, proclamation of Christ’s mercy, love of neighbor, and willingness to suffer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The pattern comes up again and again in Luther’s last 25 years or so. It appears in the Small Catechism’s explanation of the Lord’s Prayer. It shows up in his list of the marks of the church in “On the Councils and the Church.” It’s there in his preaching and letters of spiritual counsel. It behooves us, then to ground our actions — and especially our demands for pious changes in practice and in the behavior of other forgiven sinners — in what’s central. Not to do so always means turning freedom into a “must,” and Christ’s benefits become lost in the legal quagmire that results. In Wittenberg, Luther trusted that Christ had set them free, and he urged them not to submit again to a yoke of slavery (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gal.%205%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal. 5:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.1517.org/articles/500th-anniversary-luthers-invocavit-sermons-part-2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 10 Mar 2022 16:52:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-10-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-9-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-9-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-9-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           'Pressing On...'
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the midst of the turmoil of the West, the evil invasion of Ukraine, and the threats to a law-based world order, where is your hope for the future?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come with me to the Letter of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians, chapter 3:12 through 4:1.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In verse 12 we read: But I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Drawing his metaphor from athletics, Paul says he presses on in his walk with the Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A champion single-sculler once told me his training hours – rising before daylight six days a week, 52 weeks a year, no matter the weather. I asked him why he did it: ‘The podium,’ he responded. As we press on to the future, we are to invest our lives in the present so that we will experience the prize Jesus Christ holds out to us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is not about works. Earlier in chapter 3 Paul says he puts no confidence in the flesh (v.4), not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes though faith in Christ… (v.9). When we turn to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, God applies Christ’s righteousness to us. We are now to live in that new relationship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘We’re not there yet,’ Paul is saying. We need to press on to the day of resurrection (3:11) when everyone will be summoned from their grave and brought before God’s judgment seat. That time is yet to come but it is guaranteed because Jesus rose from the dead (Acts 17:31).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And, Paul says, in pressing on we need to be deliberately forgetful. Forgetting here is the opposite of remembering – putting the past behind us and moving forward. For Paul it meant putting behind a rules-based religion by a deliberate and studied forgetfulness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s easy to put our trust in anything other than an ongoing personal walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. Over the years I’ve had people tell me they had been involved in children’s ministry, leading music or Bible studies. It’s good to thank the Lord for opportunities to serve him in the past, but as God’s people we don’t live simply by looking to the past. Christianity is forward looking.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Which brings us to a second theme: Holding fast. In verse 15 we read: Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It seems there were some in Philippi who disagreed with Paul’s teaching regarding their lifestyle. Some were teaching ‘perfectionism’, rather than reckoning on the constant conflict between the flesh and the spirit and the reality that growing into maturity is a process. CH Spurgeon is reputed to have kicked in the shins a man who said he was perfect. The man’s angry vindictive reaction showed without any doubt that this was far from true.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Follow my example, says Paul. ‘I long to see you all arrive at God’s finishing line, mature in the faith having lived Godly fruitful lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A warning follows in verses 17 through 19: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To oppose the cross of Christ is destruction. It is with genuine sorrow (tears) that he speaks of those who worship themselves – their god is the belly. Self-satisfied and feeling no need to look beyond their own interests, their appetites dictate their lives. They glory in things of which they should be ashamed. Concluding that life now is all there is they justify behavior they ought to condemn.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the Old Testament, commenting on those who call evil good and good evil, the prophet Isaiah says, they put darkness for light and light for darkness. (Isaiah 5:20). In his day people attempted to shape a moral code that was rooted in pleasing ourselves.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How important it is to remember that we are called upon, not only to believe God’s revealed truth, but to obey it. Paul’s words here are similar to what he says in Romans 1:18 and 21. In our natural state we attempt to suppress the truth. Knowing God exists, we don’t honor him or thank him for all the good things we enjoy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our Hope is in Christ Alone: Our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation so that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself (3:20-21).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our security is in Christ who has not only risen from the dead but who has ascended and is now with the God the Father in heaven. Christ is now reaching down, as it were, calling us, drawing us through life to be with him where he is.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul is saying that Christ has already secured the podium – the prize for us. His resurrection guarantees it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What then should we treasure? Jesus Christ! He is the one who bore our sins. He is the one who guarantees us new life and a new hope, glory and a crown. While our life in this world is fleeting, we have responsibilities to honor Christ in the way we live. We are also to press on to the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his Narnia book, The Last Battle, CS Lewis portrays Peter, Edmund and Lucy entering the land of Narnia, never again to leave. The unicorn summed up everyone’s feelings: “I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now …”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty God, we ask you to look on the heartfelt desires of your servants, and stretch forth the right hand of your power to be our defense against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer for peace. God of the nations, whose kingdom rules over all, have mercy on our broken and divided world – and especially on the people of Ukraine at this time. Shed abroad your peace in the hearts of all men and women and banish from them, and the leaders of the world the spirit that makes for war. We ask this so that all races and people may learn to live as members of one people and in obedience to your laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://anglicanconnection.com/pressing-on/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 09 Mar 2022 17:49:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-9-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Team Alex Burt</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-team-alex-burt</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Alex+Burt+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt Team Preaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Special Report - Blog Post
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The highlight of February was the trip to LA for the Super Bowl Outreach. I was blessed to be a team leader once again and had a great team. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://alexburt.wordpress.com/2022/02/19/the-mystery-super-bowl-outreach-team-members/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           You can read my post about the mystery team members here
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Although the planning for this trip was a bit bumpy, it was relatively smooth when it came to execution. Bill Adams does an outstanding job with the logistics as far as accommodations, meals transportation, etc. The team leaders simply have to get on the plane, pick up the van and get our teams where they are supposed to be at the appointed time. It’s a little more complicated than that, but…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My team made my job super easy. I had seasoned evangelists, most of whom had been to at least one other Super Bowl Outreach so they knew what to expect. That doesn’t take away from the fact that they were all punctual and cooperative, even taking initiative when they noticed something that needed to be done. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for them! Waking up at 4:15 on Friday and Saturday and 3:15 on Sunday was a challenge after long days of teaching and ministry out on the streets, but they pressed through! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The team leaders all get to teach a 50 minute class. Due to my name beginning with the 2nd letter of the alphabet, I got to teach first on Thursday night. The theme this year was the responsibility/duty of the evangelist inside and outside the church. Each of us chose a book and filtered it through Ephesians 4. I read “And Some Evangelist” by Roger Carswel. It’s a good read that I would highly recommend.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The schedule for the outreach goes something like this for Friday and Saturday
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           6:00 AM prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           7:00 AM Teaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           8:00 AM Breakfast
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           9:00 AM Teaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           10:00 AM Grab a box lunch and head to the ministry location for the day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           6:00 PM Head back to the Hotel from the ministry locations
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sunday everything was backed up one hour due to a 3:30 PM Kick-off time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you ever think evangelism isn’t hard work, you’ve never done much of it. While it certainly is a joy to do, it can be very tiring. It’s what I refer to as “good tired.” What a joy to be on the plane flying home knowing you have been able to focus on the Gospel and share the great news with so many people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here’s a short encounter I had with a man on Huntington Beach Pier.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The man was riding around in a cart he had built with decorations and a sound system. He was also wearing a mask. He stopped and informed me that he had 26 semesters of Seminary. Maybe he meant hours but I’m almost certain he said semesters. He began by telling me he believed we were all God. He continued with statements beginning with “I believe….” When I got the chance to respond I pointed this out and we had a discussion about whether I should believe what he believed or what God said. Trying to focus the discussion we dialed in on the “We are all God” statement. Since he would not accept that he was in error because the Bible contradicted his view, I thought I would try logic. I asked him if God could sin, to which he replied, “He could because He can do anything.” I rephrased the question to avoid a rabbit trail and asked him, if would God ever sin? He agreed that God would never sin. Then I asked him if he sinned and he admitted that he did. See the flaw in his belief? I asked him if God would never sin but humans do sin, how could we be God? He said, “You got me there. I’ll be back in a little while and have something for you.” I supposed he was returning with some sort of reasoning to support his belief but I never saw him again. Sometimes we get intimidated by people who announce they have some sort of higher education and think we will not be able to give a defense for the hope that lies within us. First, we do not have to have all the answers. Remember we are not here to prove God. We are proclaimers, seed sowers, and waterers. It is God who gives the increase. Secondly, just because someone has an education or is a good debater doesn’t mean they have a sound, logical argument. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Friday the 18th and 25th it was back to cold weather in Athens. After being in LA with temps in the high 80s, 40 degrees felt colder than normal. Foot traffic was a little light but we preached the Gospel and gave away some Gospel tracts for a few hours. It is good to have a consistent ministry location but I believe it is also good to get away to a different environment a few times a year. The change of scenery is a good way to refresh. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thank you for your prayers and financial support! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until All Hear!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Ref: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://alexburt.wordpress.com/2022/03/01/super-bowl-outreach-2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://alexburt.wordpress.com/2022/03/01/super-bowl-outreach-2022/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex Burt: THE MYSTERY SUPER BOWL OUTREACH TEAM MEMBERS
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After five months of prayer and recruiting my Super Bowl Outreach team only consisted of 5 people, including me. Five may seem like a pretty good team, and it is, but the requirement is that I have at least 10 team members. I began with a list of over 20 past and possible team members and felt confident I would be able to fill all 10 slots. As time went on the list began to get shorter and shorter. Even those who I was certain would/could go began to drop off the list.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There were commitment conflicts, wives having babies, sickness and some who just didn’t want to go to the west coast. Not saying any of these reasons are invalid, it is just the way life and ministry works. I will admit I gave into frustration at times but ultimately was trusting God to send those He wanted on my team. I settled into the fact that I was going to have a 5 person team and became content with that because those on my team were all solid, seasoned evangelists. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Shortly before the trip I had a young couple and their 8 month old added to my team, bringing the total to 8. Yes, I am counting the 8 month old as a team member. Grasping? Maybe, but she was with us the entire time so she gets credit. With the team being set, off we go to Hollywood Blvd. on day one.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Scott got the team set up as Rich and I went to park the van. We were set up in front of the Metro station with the preaching rotation starting along with tract distribution and Gospel conversations. There was a woman that came up and listened for a long time. As one of the team members began to talk with her we found out she was in town for the Super Bowl and felt led to come down to Hollywood Blvd. but she wasn’t sure why, if I understood correctly. Naturally I thought God had this planned from the beginning. After praying for five months for God to send me team members and being a few short of the goal, here was Mona.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We didn’t know she was coming and apparently she didn’t either. Mona ended up staying with us for hours passing out Gospel tracts. You might say, that was just a coincidence, and I might have agreed until Day 2.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Day 2 was a nice change. Hollywood Blvd. can be a bit hectic and wear on you after an entire day so going to Huntington Beach Pier on day 2 was a nice change. Again, as Rich and I went to park, Scott got the team set up on the pier and began preaching, passing out tracts and engaging people in conversation. A man came up in a wheelchair who had asked God that morning how he could serve Him on that day (paraphrase).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Horice stayed on the pier with us for hours offering Gospel tracts to people and telling them he had some good news for them. Again, God had sent us a great team member. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God is faithful. As we prayed for 5 months for God to send us team members, He was working on these two saints and we didn’t have a clue. His ways are not our ways. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We were praying to 10 team members and that’s exactly what God gave us. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until All Hear!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Alex
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Ref: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://alexburt.wordpress.com/2022/02/19/the-mystery-super-bowl-outreach-team-members/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://alexburt.wordpress.com/2022/02/19/the-mystery-super-bowl-outreach-team-members/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Photos of Team Alex Burt SBO'22   
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Mar 2022 23:26:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-team-alex-burt</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-8-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-8-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-8-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           5 Recommended Resources on Honorable Living
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The concept of honor has fallen on hard times, especially in Western culture. Or perhaps it might be more accurate to say that many of us live with a lopsided view of honor: we all want to be honored and respected, but we’re not nearly as eager to honor and respect others. Yet God’s Word is replete with references to whom and what we are to honor. The culture of His Word—not the culture of our world—is what we as His redeemed aspire to. Each of the resources below, curated by the Ligonier editorial team, focuses on a different facet of biblical honor that can assist believers as they seek to grow in giving honor to whom honor is due.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/store/principles-of-conduct-paperback" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Principles of Conduct: Aspects of Biblical Ethics
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            by John Murray
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This work by one of the most renowned Reformed theologians of the twentieth century is among the best introductions to Christian ethics produced in the past one hundred years. John Murray unfolds the core biblical teaching on central ethical issues, helping readers think through them in a manner that is faithful to the Lord. Murray explains what it looks like to honor labor, marriage, the truth, and even God Himself while addressing the foundations of biblical ethics and the relationship between law and grace. Dr. R.C. Sproul regarded this book as one of the most influential books in his life and ministry.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/store/the-good-news-we-almost-forgot-paperback" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Commandment We Forgot
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            by Tim Challies
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The fifth commandment, “Honor your father and mother,” is foundational for honoring God and producing a well-ordered society. In this helpful booklet, Tim Challies considers the fifth commandment and its application to the Christian life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/store/in-christ-alone-hardcover" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel-Centered Life
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            by Sinclair B. Ferguson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Revelation 4:12 proclaims, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” Christ Jesus is worthy of the highest honor because of who He is and what He has done. This book explores the worthiness of Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.ligonier.org/store/the-masculine-mandate-gods-calling-to-men-paperback" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Masculine Mandate: God’s Calling to Men
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            by Richard D. Phillips
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What does it look like to be a man worthy of honor—a husband, father, or son worthy of respect in the family, in the church, and in the culture? This book seeks to answer that question, describing the high calling that God has given to men and exhorting them to fulfill it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Authority by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The mantra of our day is “Question authority.” Yet that attitude has not produced a harmonious society; only one full of discord and disrespect. This book shows that this problem can be solved only as we honor the authority of Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/recommended-resources-honorable-living
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Mar 2022 22:56:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-8-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bryan Disciples Man at Kill Mill - Evangelize Cincinnati</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/bryan-disciples-man-at-kill-mill-evangelize-cincinnati</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bryan Disciples Man at Kill Mill. See the two minute video.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/B611571C-9B72-436D-A2D3-8B1590E8A69D.jpeg"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kill Mill Discipleship
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A man who went by the handle of SG brought a woman to the kill mill on March 4, 2022. After provoking him into a conversation, Bryan was able to disciple the man from the scriptures. SG was challenged by the word of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God can save a sinner. And give the man the power to defeat sin and live a new life of obedience to God. Join us in praying that SG would repent and turn from participating in abortion.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We praise God that he would send men like Bryan to the kill mill. Men CAN confront men about sin and share the power of God to change lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thanks to Koby and Brennan for their participation in the sidewalk ministry. Enjoy the two minute video.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Timothy 3:2-5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CACE5C24-8832-42BD-B5DE-D1CA00EA3F22.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelize Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For more kill mill videos, check out our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://evangelizecincinnati.com/gospel-driven-abortion-ministry/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel Driven Abortion Ministry
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            page.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We proclaim the gospel at local venues including the abortion clinic and Bengals and UC football games. And we do one-to-one evangelism at the bus station and on the UC campus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Check our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://evangelizecincinnati.com/evangelism-outreach-schedule/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelism Outreach Schedule 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           and join us as we Evangelize Cincinnati.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/md/unsplash/dms3rep/multi/photo-1585314062340-f1a5a7c9328d.jpg" length="598693" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Mar 2022 04:31:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/bryan-disciples-man-at-kill-mill-evangelize-cincinnati</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CACE5C24-8832-42BD-B5DE-D1CA00EA3F22.jpeg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/md/unsplash/dms3rep/multi/photo-1585314062340-f1a5a7c9328d.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Mark Yoho</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-mark-yoho</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mark+Yoho+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Special Report
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           by Mark Yoho
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of the biggest events that we do in the ministry is the Super Bowl Outreach. I had the opportunity to go to Los Angeles to rekindle and begin a friendship with 74 other evangelists from across the US. The fellowship in this Christ-centered atmosphere is phenomenal as we gather to sharpen the countenance of each other, preach the Gospel, and witness at events surrounding the Super Bowl. I worked with Brother Bill Adams and other team leaders to help organize this outreach. There were times when we were not sure we were going to be able to pull this off. The challenges we faced planning a large-scale Outreach in California during the middle of a pandemic were huge. Thank God for the outpouring of prayers that moved God to open up the doors of opportunity and give us possibly one of the best Super Bowl Outreaches yet. We count it a major Kingdom victory. Thank you.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Mar 2022 22:12:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-mark-yoho</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-7-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-7-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-7-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Abide Upon the Rock of Ages
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%20118:8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Psalms 118:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No doubt the reader has been tempted to rely upon the things that are seen instead of resting alone upon the invisible God. Christians often look to man for help and advice, and so spoil the noble simplicity of their reliance upon God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Does this evening’s passage meet the eye of a child of God who is filled with anxiety? Then let us reason with you. You trust in Jesus, and only in Jesus, for your salvation; then why are you troubled? “Because of my great care.” Is it not written, “Cast your burden upon the Lord”? “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Can you trust God for your physical needs? “Ah! I wish I could.” If you cannot trust God with the physical, how dare you trust Him with the spiritual? Can you trust Him for your soul’s redemption, and yet not rely upon Him for a few lesser mercies? Is God not enough for your need, or is His all-sufficiency too narrow for your wants? Do you need another to watch for you when you have Him who sees every secret thing? Is His heart faint? Is His arm weary? If so, seek another God; but if He is infinite, omnipotent, faithful, true, and all-wise, why do you run around seeking another confidence? Why do you scour the earth to find another foundation when this is strong enough to bear all the weight that you can ever build on it?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christian, do not mix your wine with water; do not tarnish the gold of faith with the dross of human confidence. Wait only upon God, and let your expectation be from Him. Do not covet Jonah’s gourd but rest in Jonah’s God. Let the sandy, shaky foundations be the choice of fools; but you, like one who sees the approaching storm, build for yourself an abiding place upon the Rock of Ages.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Philippians 4:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Mar 2022 17:25:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-7-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Darrel</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-darrel</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Darrel+Davis+SBO+ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Jesus Wins - Special Report by Darrel. 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dear Bill,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Michael approached me as I was holding a gospel sign on the 3rd street Promenade in Santa Monica. He wanted to know what the evidence was for God.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           I pointed to the building in front of us. “How did that building get there?” I asked. He responded, that someone built it. I pointed to the phone in my hand - I had been taking pictures of the brothers preaching. “How did that phone get here?” Again, Michael responded that someone made it. “Just as every building has a builder and every phone has a maker, creation has a creator.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           He said that he understood that but that was not the real question on his heart. He wanted to know how I could be so sure of the message I was proclaiming. So I shared how I came to Christ at the age of 24 and how he changed my heart.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           He then revealed that he was once a believer, but now he is an agnostic. Michael told me that he once had a strong commitment to God but that he felt like he relied upon God too much. I’m not sure how that is possible - to rely upon God too much. Because of that, he really did not have any self-identity of his own.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           I shared with him how I had had the opposite experience. My self-esteem and identity came through my relationship with Jesus.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we conversed, I came to understand that Michael is like a lot of people: they say that they believe in Jesus but don't have any assurance of salvation. That is because they are not resting in the finished work of Christ. Instead, they are relying on their own efforts to '“be right with God.” They can’t seem to satisfy God because they don’t pray enough, or they are struggling with persistent sin, or they…insert objection here
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           I talked with Michael about the need to trust Jesus alone for salvation. That seemed to connect with him. 20 minutes later, he shook my hand, thanked me, and continued down the Promenade.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many conversations like this took place throughout the weekend as the gospel was preached and tracts were distributed. The preaching of the gospel frequently leads to gospel conversations.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           We had teams to spread out all over the greater LA metro area: Venice Beach, Huntington Beach, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and of course the Super Bowl venues. Multitudes of people heard the preaching of the gospel.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Super+Bowl+Outreach+Darrel+Davis+SFOI.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above: Michael and I Talking. Photo by Joe Toy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our teams encountered many different competing groups including Black Hebrew Israelites and the Church of Scientology. One Scientologist approached me at the stadium and said that he was a Christian. He handed me a “personality test.”
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           After looking and seeing that it was Scientology, I handed the pamphlet back to him and pointed to the sign I was holding. It had this verse on it: “Jesus answered him, “
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .”” John 3:3
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           I told him that unless he was born from above, he was not, in fact, a Christian. At this point, he moved on down the sidewalk.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And let’s not forget the mockers. One man on our team was punched in the gut. Others were verbally assaulted. As I was preaching at the stadium, one man yelled at me that I just liked to hear myself talk. I rebuked him for mocking God and blaspheming. After I finished preaching, another brother took my place. Immediately, the man yelled to “Shut the ____ up!” By the way, he later claimed to be an ordained minister. Go figure!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Super+Bowl+Outreach+Darrel+Davis+SFOI+2.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Above: Preaching in front of the Crypto.Com Center - formerly the Staples Center. The Lakers play here. (Photo by Jordan Allen with Faith Flow Photography.)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I was very encouraged to see a great number of believers from local churches who were out sharing the gospel. I thought about how back home, in the Bible Belt, it seems like an impossible task to get folks out of their comfortable pews and into the streets.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Along with the preaching and witnessing, we had great teaching on the role of the evangelist both inside and outside the church. Plus, The prayer and worship times were amazing.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill, Thank you again for praying for our teams. Without prayer, we would accomplish nothing on the streets.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now, it is on to Mardi Gras after my wife and I take a little vacation. We are celebrating 26 years of marriage. Our anniversary is March 9th but we are celebrating a little early.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           May the Lord bless you abundantly!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Until the Net is Full,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Darrel
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           P.S. Join me in praying as I consider the possibility of going to the Kentucky Derby with a group from Sports Fan Outreach, May 5-8.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Source: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://mailchi.mp/d68afcb1deaf/super-bowl-initial-report?e=fe5b973708" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://mailchi.mp/d68afcb1deaf/super-bowl-initial-report?e=fe5b973708
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 05 Mar 2022 06:33:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-darrel</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary John</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-john</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/John+Crowley+ministry+reports+SBO.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Special Report
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            by John Crowley
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 15 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The bible is clear the God of the bible is very happy and has great joy one a lost person is saved by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. Going to this Super Bowl like all events the LORD allow to go to I pray and seek his wisdom on what to speak about and if this the best use of the time and gifting God has allowed to give to me. There always a cost to go anywhere buy going to the Super Bowl cost over 350 dollars to fly out on united airline and God blessed to be given a 450 gift from sports fan outreach to stay and go this outreach. I knew how unworthy I am whom am I? I am a sinner who God saved by grace alone by faith alone who God alone has made an evangelist for both the church and lost. We pray many will be saved and the nations will be changed by the Holy Spirt but often never see any fruit for the labor’s God allows to do. The reward may be not us to see or ever knew about. Just Ryan Denton book say even if none come the LORD Jesus Christ is worthy to be shared and praised no what. After all salvation is always bought about by all of God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God use who he chooses to use to bring the results we just simple tools that only worth and useful in his hands are if we summit to his will. The LORD Jesus put on Matthew Rando team who is from Arizona which will host next year Super Bowl. My prayer is next year the LORD will allow to lead a team of men and women whom live in Florida and other places to next years Super Bowl. My prays is this may have both some will think as week brother and strong brother and sisters. The rewards are always in doing what we knew God and my savior commands to do. Just if we ever lose of find a wallet, we hope everything is returned to us like our id and other stuff but when it is fully return to us, we are shocked because in this current world often we never get back what is lost is full but what rejoice and sweetness is there in the gift of getting what is lost back to us. Just imagine the great joy Jesus has when he used this simple tool to bring salvation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So, to those think about going to any event host by sports fan outreach just go. Jesus Christ is the reward and the fact he saved us should want to go out and share him no matter if we may never see or get rewarded. The reward of salvation has been given to us is not that enough?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 05 Mar 2022 06:08:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-john</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary Ben</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-ben</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports+Ben+Super+Bowl+Outreach+SFOI.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Team Ben* - The Gospel of Jesus Christ is dynamite in the heart. It is the POWER of God to save!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 04 Mar 2022 23:03:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary-ben</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-4-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-4-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-4-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Abundance of the Grace of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They feast on the abundance of your house.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Psalms%2036:8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Psalms 36:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sheba’s queen was amazed at the sumptuousness of Solomon’s table. She lost all heart when she saw the provision of a single day; and she marveled equally at the company of servants who enjoyed the king’s feast.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But what is this in comparison to the abundance of the God of grace? Ten thousand thousand of His people are daily fed; hungry and thirsty, they bring large appetites with them to the banquet, but not one of them returns unsatisfied; there is enough for each, enough for all, enough forevermore. Although the company that eats at Jehovah’s table is as countless as the stars of heaven, yet each one has his own portion.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Think how much grace one saint requires, so much that nothing but the Infinite could supply him for one day; and yet the Lord spreads His table not for one, but for many saints; not for one day, but for many years; not for many years only, but for generation after generation. Consider the full feasting spoken of in the text; the guests at mercy’s banquet are satisfied—more, abundantly satisfied, and not with ordinary fare, but with the peculiar abundance of God’s own house; and such feasting is guaranteed by a faithful promise to all those children of men who put their trust under the shadow of Jehovah’s wings.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I once thought that if I could just get the leftovers at God’s back door of grace I would be satisfied, like the woman who said, “The dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” But no child of God is ever served with scraps and leftovers; like Mephibosheth, they all eat from the King’s own table. In matters of grace, we all have Benjamin’s portion—we all have ten times more than we could have expected; and though our necessities are great, yet are we often amazed at the marvelous fullness of grace that God gives us richly to enjoy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 04 Mar 2022 14:16:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-4-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-3-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-3-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-3-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Look at 2 Peter 3: The Stubborn Salvation of God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stubborn: having or showing a dogged determination not to change one’s attitude or position on something, especially in spite of good arguments or reasons to do so.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As you read the New Testament and early church history, it is clear that believers in Christ where anticipating his return from the moment of his ascension to the Father. As persecution ravaged the church, Christians began to wonder if God had forgotten them, or worse, abandoned them. Peter sets out to address this in the final chapter of his second epistle. The argument/encouragement goes like this:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Pet%203%3A3-4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Pet 3:3-4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peter begins by stating that people will not just question why Jesus has not returned, but they will mock those who wait for him. They will call us fools who have either been duped by a fairytale or have been lied to by a God who does not or cannot keep his promises. But “how long, O Lord?!” is a common cry of the children of God. And while Peter doesn’t give an answer or a date, he does provide a reason for God’s waiting and assures us that God can and will keep his promise.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (vs. 9).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is love that motivated the incarnation of Christ. It is love that drove him to the cross to die for the sins of the world. And it is love that causes God to wait that more sinners might be saved. This God who was willing to suffer and die for all, is now unwilling that any not be brought into the salvation he has won. This is the patient love of God. He is stubborn about the salvation of sinners. He will not be rushed even if his name is mocked, and the trustworthiness of his promises are called into question. God will vindicate himself on the day the great thief returns.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up” (vs. 10).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The day of the Lord will come like a thief because his very return is unexpected.Christ himself is also the holy thief. No one has stolen more than Christ. He has taken all the sins of the world as his own and did not ask the world’s permission. Christ broke into the world and stole away everything that separated God and man. He has done this so a world of rebels may escape the passing away of the heavens and earth and live with him forever in his new creation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation…” (vs. 14-15).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we look forward to the return of our Savior, Peter encourages the church to also remain in Christ that we may be at peace and be found spotless and blameless. This must not be understood as a blamelessness of our own but rather a plea to trust the promises of God in the face of mockery and doubt. And as we wait, we consider the stubborn, patient love of God as salvation. God is not delayed; he is adding to his church.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God is not slow; he is stubborn. The second coming of Christ is slow that more people may enter the salvation of his first.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.1517.org/articles/a-look-at-2-peter-3-the-stubborn-salvation-of-god
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Mar 2022 15:04:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-3-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-2-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-2-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-2-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two Faces...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Human relationships on the personal and international level must rate as the greatest challenge for the world’s future. The cold-blooded invasion of Ukraine reveals an oft unspoken issue that confronts us: flawed human nature.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Russian author, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn once commented, If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Robert Murray McCheyne, who was a great influence on CS Lewis, observed, The seeds of all sins are in my heart, and perhaps all the more dangerously that I do not see them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let me make a suggestion. Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent that continues through to the day before Easter Day. The six weeks of Lent can be a special time of spiritual re-awakening through consistent Bible reading, honest reflection, and prayer.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, the prayer for Ash Wednesday and for Lent, focuses on God’s forgiveness of the repentant person and spiritual renewal. The Lord Jesus challenges us to know the Scriptures, reflect on them, and to pray throughout the year.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           However, such is our flawed nature that we can all deceive ourselves. We can be two-faced, saying one thing and doing another. We may even read the Bible and pray, attend church, and give to the poor, but our hearts can remain unchanged in our relationship with the Lord, as well as with one another.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider Jesus’ warning against hypocrisy in his Sermon on the Mount: “Beware of practising your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 6:1).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Earlier in his sermon Jesus says: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven…” (Matthew 5:16). In both places he is talking about being seen by others, yet he seems to contradict himself. Is he inconsistent?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In chapter 5 he speaks of the moral qualities of our life in public. In Matthew 6 he warns against using our faith to win approval. There is a sharp difference between living as God desires and our desire to make a name for ourselves. The first glorifies God. The second only brings fleeting applause.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The attention-seeking ‘religious’ get what they delight in – accolades and celebrity. But Jesus warns, they will miss out on the true reward that comes from the living, all-righteous God. All they have is a counterfeit religion, empty and without value. Two examples follow.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Counterfeit giving. “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others” (Matthew 6:2).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus is saying that when we give so that others know what we are doing, whether in public, church or at a charity function – we are being two-faced. We’ll get what we’re after – celebrity status. But that’s all we’ll get. There is no genuine faith and no reward from God. It is a two-faced life-style.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:4).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To be rewarded by the Lord is the ultimate blessing. The approval of others is transient; the approval of God is eternal. Being aware of the deceitfulness of our hearts, we need to pray for God’s grace to avoid counterfeit giving.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Counterfeit prayer is another area where we can be two-faced. In verse 5 we read: “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward…”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To lead the prayers in the synagogue was a mark of distinction, especially as the leader prayed at the front of the congregation. Jesus knows how easy it is for any one of us leading prayer to focus more on the literary quality of our prayer and our tone of voice, than God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now Jesus is not saying that prayer must always be in secret. He and his disciples attended services in the Temple and synagogue. The first Christians regularly met for prayer. Prayer in public was not so much the issue as the attitude of the pray-er.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In fact, the main point Jesus makes is our need for private prayer, for who we are in the privacy of our room is who we really are. Without others around us we are less likely to be motivated by self. This is the prayer God hears.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           – – –
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine at this time of an evil, unprovoked war. Let’s pray especially for God’s people and for the Lord’s mercy on the country – for all who suffer and have lost loved ones; that the Lord will intervene and thwart the purposes of war-makers and bring about a just peace.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Let’s also pray that this evil will be a wake-up for many – that they will see the two faces of human nature and the need for us all to turn to the God whose nature is to show mercy and forgiveness. This is the news the world needs to hear afresh.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Prayer for Ash Wednesday: Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made, and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts, so that we, lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer for peace: God of the nations, whose kingdom rules over all, have mercy on our broken and divided world – and especially on the people of Ukraine at this time. Shed abroad your peace in the hearts of all men and women and banish from them, and the leaders of the world the spirit that makes for war. We ask this so that all races and people may learn to live as members of one people and in obedience to your laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer for those in need. Almighty God, we commend to your fatherly goodness all who are in any way afflicted or distressed, especially those who suffer and grieve in this time of war in Ukraine and those who are impacted by the floods in Australia. We also pray for those who are known to us. May it please you to comfort and relieve them according to their needs, giving them patience in their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://anglicanconnection.com/two-faces/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Mar 2022 15:07:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-2-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 3-1-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-1-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 3-1-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Abundant Love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Love of Complacency
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his monumental biography of Jonathan Edwards, George Marsden cites a passage from Edwards’ Personal Narrative:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Since I came to this town [Northampton], I have often had sweet complacency in God in views of his glorious perfections, and the excellency of Jesus Christ. God has appeared to me, a glorious and lovely being chiefly on account of his holiness. The holiness of God has always appeared to me the most lovely of all his attributes. (p. 112)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we take note of Edwards’ language, his choice of words to describe his enraptured delight in the glory of God, we observe his accent on the sweetness, loveliness, and excellence of God. He reports of enjoying a “sweet complacency” in God. What does he mean? Is not the term complacency a word we use to describe a certain smugness, a resting on one’s laurels, a sort of lazy inertia that attends a superficial sort of satisfaction? Perhaps. But here we see a vivid example of how words sometimes change their import over time.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What Edwards meant by a “sweet complacency” had nothing to do with a contemporary dose of smugness. Rather, it had to do with a sense of pleasure. This “pleasure” is not to be understood in a crass hedonistic, or sensual, sense but rather a delight in that which is supremely pleasing to the soul.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The roots of this meaning of “complacency” are traced by the Oxford English Dictionary (vol. 3), where the primary meaning given is “the fact or state of being pleased with a thing or person; tranquil pleasure or satisfaction in something or some one.” References are cited for this usage from John Milton, Richard Baxter, and J. Mason. Mason is quoted, “God can take no real complacency in any but those that are like him.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I labor the earlier English usage of the word complacency because it is used in a crucial manner in the language of historic, orthodox theology. When speaking of God’s love, we distinguish among three types of that love—the love of benevolence, the love of beneficence, and the love of complacency. The reason for the distinctions is to note the different ways in which God loves all people, in one sense, and the special way He loves His people, the redeemed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Love of Benevolence
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Benevolence is derived from the Latin prefix bene, which means “well,” or “good,” and it is the root for the word will. Creatures who exercise the faculty of the will by making choices are called volitional creatures. Though God is not a creature, He is a volitional being insofar as He also has the faculty of willing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are all familiar with Luke’s account of the nativity of Jesus in which the heavenly host praises God declaring: “Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%202%3A8%E2%80%9314/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 2:8–14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            NKJV). Though some argue that the blessing is given to men of goodwill, the root meaning is the same. The love of benevolence is the quality of good will toward others. The New Testament is replete with references of God’s good will to all humanity even in our falleness. Though Satan is a malevolent being (one who harbors bad will both toward us and God), it can never properly be said of God that He is malevolent. He has no malice in His purity, no maliciousness in His actions. God does not “delight” in the death of the wicked—even though He decrees it. His judgments upon evil are rooted in His righteousness, not in some distorted malice in His character. Like an earthly judge weeps when he sends the guilty for punishment, God rejoices in the justness of it but gets no glee from the pain of those justly punished.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This love of benevolence, or good will, extends to all people without distinction. God is loving, in this sense, even to the damned.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h4&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Love of Beneficence
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h4&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This type of love, the love of beneficence, is closely linked to the love of benevolence. The difference between benevolence and beneficence is the difference between disposition and action. I may feel well-disposed toward someone, but my goodwill remains unknown until or unless I manifest it by some action. We often associate beneficence with acts of kindness or charity. We note here that the very word “charity” is often used as a synonym for love. In the sense of beneficence, acts of kindness are acts of the love of beneficence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus emphasized this aspect of God’s love in teaching regarding those who benefit from God’s providence:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matt.%205%3A43/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 5:43
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , NKJV)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In this passage, Jesus enjoins the practice of love toward one’s enemies. Notice that this love is not defined in terms of warm, fuzzy, or sanguine feelings but in terms of behavior. In this context, love is more of a verb than a noun. To love our enemies is to be loving toward them. It involves doing good to them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In this regard, the love we are to display is a reflection of God’s love toward His enemies. To those who hate and curse Him, He shows the love of beneficence. God’s benevolence (good will) is demonstrated by His beneficence (kind actions). His sun and rain are given equally to the just and the unjust.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We see then that God’s benevolent love and His beneficent love are universal. They extend to the whole of humanity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But here is the chief difference between these types of love and God’s love of complacency. His love of complacency is not universal, nor is it unconditional. Sadly, in our day, the glorious character of this type of divine love is routinely denied or obscured by a blanket universalization of the love of God. To announce to people indiscriminately that God loves them “unconditionally” (without carefully distinguishing among the distinctive types of divine love) is to promote a perilous false sense of security in the hearers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s love of complacency is the special delight and pleasure He takes first of all in His only-begotten Son. It is Christ who is the beloved of the Father, supremely; He is the Son in whom the Father is “well pleased.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By adoption in Christ, every believer shares in this divine love of complacency. It is the love enjoyed by Jacob, but not by Esau. This love is reserved for the redeemed in whom God delights—not because there is anything inherently lovely or delightful in us—but we are so united to Christ, the Father’s Beloved, that the love the Father has for the Son spills over onto us. God’s love for us is pleasing and sweet to Himself—and to us—as Jonathan Edwards understood so well.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/abundant-love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Mar 2022 03:08:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-3-1-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-28-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-28-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-28-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God's Infinite Mercies
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/1%20Kings%2017:16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            1 Kings 17:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider the faithfulness of divine love. It is clear that this woman had daily necessities. She had to feed her son and herself in a time of famine; and now, in addition, the prophet Elijah was also to be fed. But though the need was threefold, the supply was not spent, for it was constant. Each day she made withdrawals from the jar, but each day it remained the same.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You, dear reader, have daily necessities, and because they come so frequently, you are apt to fear that the jar of flour will one day be empty, and the jug of oil will fail you. Rest assured that, according to the Word of God, this shall not be the case. Each day, though it bring its trouble, it shall also bring its help; and though you should live longer than Methuselah, and your needs should be as many as the sands of the seashore, yet God’s grace and mercy will last through all your necessities, and you will never know a real lack.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For three long years, in this widow’s days, the heavens never saw a cloud, and the stars never wept a holy tear of dew upon the wicked earth: famine and desolation and death made the land a howling wilderness, but this woman was never hungry but always joyful in abundance. So it will be with you. You will see the sinner’s hope perish, for he trusts in himself; you will see the proud Pharisee’s confidence crumble, for he builds his hope upon the sand; you will even see your own plans blown apart, but you will discover that your daily needs are amply supplied. Better to have God for your guardian than the Bank of England for your possession. You might spend the wealth of the nations, but you can never exhaust the infinite mercies of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Feb 2022 15:52:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-28-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-25-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-25-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-25-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Consequence of Disobedience
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Jonah%201:3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Jonah 1:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Instead of going to Nineveh to preach the Word, as God told him, Jonah disliked the work and went down to Joppa to escape from it. There are occasions when God’s servants shrink from duty. But what is the consequence? What did Jonah lose by his conduct? He lost the presence and comfortable enjoyment of God’s love. When we serve our Lord Jesus as believers should do, God is with us; and though we have the whole world against us, if we have God with us, what does it matter? But the moment we retreat and seek to establish our own agenda, we are at sea without a pilot. Then we will bitterly lament and groan out, “O my God, where have You gone? How could I have been so foolish as to shun Your service, and in this way lose all the bright shinings of Your face? This is a price too high. Let me return to my allegiance, that I may rejoice in Your presence.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the next place, Jonah lost all peace of mind. Sin soon destroys a believer’s comfort. It is the poisonous tree whose leaves distill deadly drops that destroy the life of joy and peace. Jonah lost everything upon which he might have drawn for comfort in any other case. He could not plead the promise of divine protection, for he was not in God’s ways; he could not say, “Lord, I meet with these difficulties in the discharge of my duty; therefore help me through them.” He was reaping his own deeds; he was filled with his own ways.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christian, do not play the Jonah unless you wish to have all the waves and the billows rolling over your head. You will find in the long run that it is far harder to shun the work and will of God than to at once yield yourself to it. Jonah lost his time, for he had to go to Nineveh after all. It is hard to contend with God; let us yield ourselves to Him immediately.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Feb 2022 17:15:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-25-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-24-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-24-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-24-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No Disguises
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In June of 2013, a man dressed in a sport coat and a neatly pressed blue shirt, walked into a bank in Des Moines, Iowa, and explained to a teller that he needed a new debit card. He presented his identification card to a bank official, who looked at the card, looked at him, and then said, “Sir, you don’t look anything like the man on this ID card.” The photo on the ID card was of a middle-aged man with gray hair, but the man looking for the new debit card was in his mid-twenties. Undaunted, the man explained that his lack of resemblance to the photo on the card was because of a recent accident. Suspecting a fraud, the bank manager called the police.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When the police arrived, they found a 25-year-old man with gray powder in his hair and beard. He was wearing a foam neck brace with an ace bandage wrapped awkwardly around his head. The headwrap caused his thick hair to stick out on one side of his head making him resemble the cartoon figure Gumby. The disguise used by this attempted identity thief was so bad that it prompted the police officer to ask him, “Are you seriously trying to pass yourself off as the man on this ID card?” The man hung his head and said meekly, “I know.” It was soon discovered that the real owner of the ID card had lost it when his car had been recently stolen, after which he had wisely notified the bank to flag his bank account.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As I move from Epiphany, the season in which Jesus reveals himself to me, into the season of Lent, a time in which my sin is revealed to him, I can be assured that there is no need to try to fake my identity, for he already knows me. Indeed, he has known me intimately long before I ever gave him any thought. In the words of that well-known sinner David:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           You understand my thought from afar.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And are intimately acquainted with all my ways." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%20139%3A1-3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 139:1-3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            NASB)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Searched” of vs. 1 (“cha-qar” in the Hebrew) carries a meaning of “to thoroughly search, examine, explore” and is intensified by “za-rah” (vs. 3); an interesting word translated as “scrutinize” (NASB), “discern” (NIV), and “searched” (ESV). But “za-rah” is a term used in the “sifting” and “winnowing” of grain. The word picture created here is that our Lord has carefully spread us out and picked through the totality of who we are. Or, as Leupold writes,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “God has let the full force of His Omniscience play upon every thought and activity of the psalmist and therefore has always known him more intimately than he knows himself.” (H.C. Leupold, Exposition of Psalms, 943)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And, from the words of Jesus, this same omniscient God in the flesh who rubbed elbows with real people, when a skeptical Nathaniel asked him “How do you know me?” we hear:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%201%3A48/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 1:48
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            NASB)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Turn a few pages more in John’s Gospel and we see this enlightening exchange between an all-knowing God and a woman struggling with a mountain of bad life choices:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "[Jesus] said to her, “Go, call your husband and come here.” The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have correctly said, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%204%3A16-18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 4:16-18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            NASB)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now, before I see Jesus as some cosmic killjoy, I should first realize that he came to this woman in her own personal spiritual desert, offering her the gift of Himself as “living water” (vs. 10, 14). She had come to the well in the heat of the day to avoid the glares, stares, and snarky comments from others, but she couldn’t avoid Jesus. There he was, sitting in her messy world, at her destination, at the time of her arrival – waiting for her and her alone. Yes, he called her religious worldview into question and painfully sifted through her broken life, but then he explained his end game:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "...true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%204%3A23-24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 4:23-24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            NASB)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So what’s the point in all of this for me? Like it or not, I cannot put God off or hold him at bay. Like the woman at the well, I must allow Jesus to unmask me, even though it may be painful to confront my failings. In the end, there is just the raw reality of who Jesus is, and the revealing but gracious way he acts with me. I may want to debate with him – marshaling all my complaints, objections, and excuses, but he just looks at me and says, “I have seen you; I know you. I know the passion of your soul, the depth of your wounds, the carelessness of your rebellions, the stupidity of your stumbles; I know it all, but here I am. I see you, I know you, and I want you – “Follow me.” Like the woman at the well, Jesus offers me a new identity as He pours His living water of God’s forgiveness and friendship into my thirsty soul.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I may feel today that the Lord has not found me, but in fact he has – he is intimately acquainted with all my ways. And the good news of his Gospel is that in spite of what he knows about me, out of his great love for me, he willingly laid his life down for me. Because of him and his grace alone, I live beneath an open heaven, both known and forgiven. His knowledge of me, and his all-sufficient grace, calls out to me to be honest with him, as the late Helmut Thielicke put it:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "But where Jesus is the air is clean and clear. Here dirty hands are called dirty; here sin is called sin, and dishonesty is called dishonesty… We Christians can be utterly honest with ourselves because we have nothing to fear, because we don't need to be so painfully worried about putting up a good front. For we know about forgiveness. We know that Jesus Christ died for the sake of our dirty hands. We know that "Jesus' blood and righteousness" is our "beauty and glorious dress," and that this is a more dependable garment than all the respectable, easily soiled vestments we may show the world. We do not need to be afraid of the hard truth, because no matter what happens Jesus Christ is for us and he will go with us and stand beside us before the throne of judgment."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yes, as I move from Epiphany into Lent, I rejoice that he has found me, embraced me, forgiven me, and he is traveling with me on my stumbling through this fallen world. So take off the disguise, he sees right through it anyway.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “How do you know me, Lord?” “I have always known you,” he answers.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           How vast is the sum of them!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           When I awake, I am still with You." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ps.%20139%3A17-18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ps. 139:17-18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Such knowledge is indeed wonderful! To God be the glory! Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.1517.org/articles/no-disguises
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Feb 2022 14:50:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-24-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-23-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-23-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-23-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Man from Heaven
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The breaking news is that Russian troops have entered Russian separatist sections of Ukraine, purportedly as peace-keepers. Is this the beginning of a changing world order championed in a recent meeting between Russia and China? In the midst of divisions and uncertainty around us, what can we do? Where can we find assurance and hope?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The answer to the question, ‘What can we do?’ is pray! In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Paul the Apostle writes: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and for all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We often forget that Christians for three centuries were often persecuted under Roman rule. Indeed, Nero used them as scapegoats for the fire in Rome and put them through all kinds of barbarous cruelty including the lion’s den in the Roman arena. Christians had every reason to hate the state, and yet Paul calls on God’s people to respect the civil authorities for what they are: God’s provision in a fallen world for the good order and protection of society.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But there is a second question: ‘Where can we find assurance and hope?’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Psalm 2:1-4 we read: Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying, ‘Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.’ He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, ‘I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How important it is to remember that whatever happens around us, the Lord continues to work out his purposes in our world. Despite the derision, opposition, or even the persecution we might experience from political leaders or those around us who embrace a secular progressive agenda, God will have the last word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How can we be sure of this? Come with me to a surprising scene in Luke 9:28-36.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke begins, about eight days after… (9:28). He wants us to be in no doubt that, just as the previous conversations had occurred, so did the scene that was about to unfold. Jesus took three of his disciples with him, Peter, John and James when he went up on the mountain to pray (9:28). While Jesus was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white (9:29).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This was not a superficial event. In both Luke and Acts a reference to dazzling clothes usually signifies a supernatural or ‘other worldly’ glory. Two great prophets, Moses and Elijah, who were not transformed as Jesus was, were also present and spoke with him about what he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem (9:31).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Prophets had been very much in the minds of Jesus and the disciples at that time. Indeed, eight days earlier Jesus had asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ and they had replied, ‘John the Baptist or Elijah, or one of the prophets.’ But when Jesus had pressed them for their own view, Peter had replied: “You are the Christ” (9:20).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But here on the mountain it was clear that Peter had not yet worked out what it meant for Jesus to be the Christ. Otherwise he and the other two would not have been asleep only to be awakened by the brilliant, supernatural light of Jesus and his visitors (9:32). Furthermore, as the visitors departed Peter said, “Master…; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah – not knowing what he said” (9:33).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Before he could utter another word, a cloud enveloped them all and they heard a voice, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him” (9:35). It was a scene and a voice the disciples would never forget. The glory which transfigured Jesus that day revealed him to be God incarnate.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He is the Son of Man of whom the prophet Daniel spoke, the one to whom would be given the kingdom, the power and the glory (Daniel 7:12-13). He is the man from heaven.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The main purpose of the event was for the three disciples. Yes, Jesus truly is the Christ: God the Father’s words confirmed what they had recently concluded. Furthermore. they needed to listen to him – as we need to do today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The scene was a foretaste of the glory of God’s kingdom – a foretaste of Jesus’ messianic reign. Peter later wrote: ‘We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eye-witnesses of his majesty (2 Peter 1:16).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The event is very important for us. If Jesus had disappeared following his resurrection and his ascension, we would have no assurance of his enthronement in glory. The transfiguration is a preview of his power and majesty as he works out God’s purposes for his creation, moving world affairs to an end time when he will be seen in all his might, majesty, dominion and power – the supreme Lord over heaven and earth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the midst of the rumors of wars and the tumult of war, what should we be doing? Pray! Where is our hope for the future to be found? In the risen ascended Christ, the man from heaven.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer for peace. God of the nations, whose kingdom rules over all, have mercy on our broken and divided world. Shed abroad your peace in the hearts of all men and women and banish from them the spirit that makes for war; so that all races and people may learn to live as members of one family and in obedience to your laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preserve your people, Lord God, with your continual mercy, for without you we will fall because of our frailty; keep us always under your protection and lead us to everything that makes for our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://anglicanconnection.com/the-man-from-heaven/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2022 14:14:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-23-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-22-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-22-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-22-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Fear Not
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are fragile mortals, given to fears of every sort. We have a built-in insecurity that no amount of whistling in the dark can mollify. We seek assurance concerning the things that frighten us the most.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The prohibition uttered more frequently than any other by our Lord is the command, “Fear not.” He said this so often to His disciples and others He encountered that it almost came to sound like a greeting. Where most people greet others by saying “Hi” or “Hello,” the first words of Jesus very often were “Fear not.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why? Perhaps Jesus’ predilection for those words grew out of His acute sense of the thinly veiled fear that grips all who approach the living God. We fear His power, we fear His wrath, and most of all we fear His ultimate rejection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The assurance we need the most is the assurance of salvation. Though we are loathe to think much about it or contemplate it deeply, we know if only intuitively that the worst catastrophe that could ever befall us is to be visited by God’s final punitive wrath. Our insecurity is worsened by the certainty that we deserve it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many believe that assurance of eternal salvation is neither possible nor even to be sought. To claim such assurance is considered a mask of supreme arrogance, the nadir of self-conceit.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet, if God declares that it is possible to have full assurance of salvation and even commands that we seek after it, then it would be supremely arrogant for one to deny or neglect it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In fact, God does command us to make our election and calling sure: “Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Peter%201%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Peter 1:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This command admits of no justifiable neglect. It addresses a crucial matter. The question, “Am I saved?” is one of the most important questions I can ever ask myself. I need to know the answer; I must know the answer. This is not a trifle. Without the assurance of salvation the Christian life is unstable. It is vulnerable to the debilitating rigors of mood changes and allows the wolf of heresy to camp on the doorstep. Progress in sanctification requires a firm foundation in faith. Assurance is the cement of that foundation. Without it, the foundation crumbles.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How, then, do we receive assurance? The Scripture declares that the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. This inner testimony of the Holy Spirit is as vital as it is complex. It can be subjected to severe distortions, being confused with subjectivism and self-delusion. The Spirit gives His testimony with the Word and through the Word, never against the Word or without the Word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Since it is possible to have false assurance of salvation it is all the more urgent that we seek the Spirit's testimony in and through the Word. False assurance usually proceeds from a faulty understanding of salvation. If one fails to understand the necessary conditions for salvation, assurance would be at best a lucky guess.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Therefore, we insist that right doctrine is a crucial element in acquiring a sound basis for assurance. It may even be a necessary condition, though by no means a sufficient condition. Without sound doctrine we will have an inadequate understanding of salvation. However, having a sound understanding of salvation is no guarantee we have the salvation we so soundly understand.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If we think the Bible teaches universal salvation we may arrive at a false sense of assurance by reasoning as follows: Everybody is saved. I am a body; therefore, I am saved.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Or, if we think salvation is gained by our own good works and we are further deluded into believing that we possess good works, we will have a false assurance of salvation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To have sound assurance we must understand that our salvation rests upon the merit of Christ alone, which is appropriated to us when we embrace Him by genuine faith. If we understand that, the remaining question is, “Do I have the genuine faith necessary for salvation?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Again two more things must be understood and analyzed properly. The first is doctrinal. We need a clear understanding of what constitutes genuine saving faith. If we conceive of saving faith as a faith that exists in a vacuum, never yielding the fruit of works of obedience, we have confused saving faith with dead faith, which cannot save anyone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The second requirement involves a sober analysis of our own lives. We must examine ourselves to see if the fruit of regeneration is apparent in our lives. Do we have a real affection for the biblical Christ? Only the regenerate person possesses real love for the real Jesus. Next we must ask the tough question, “Does my life manifest the fruit of sanctification?” I test my faith by my works.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I call this last question the tough question for various reasons. We can lose assurance if we think perfect obedience is the test. Every sin we commit after conversion can cast doubt upon our assurance. That doubt is exacerbated by the assault of accusation made by Satan against us. Satan delights in shaking the true Christian's assurance.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On the other hand, we can delude ourselves by looking at our own works with an exalted view of our goodness, seeing virtue in ourselves when there is none. Here we quake in terror before our Lord’s warning: “Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’ ” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matt.%207%3A22%E2%80%9323/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 7:22–23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Real assurance rests on a sound understanding of salvation, a sound understanding of justification, a sound understanding of sanctification, and a sound understanding of ourselves. In all these matters we have the comfort and assistance of the Holy Spirit who illumines the text of Scripture for us, who works in us to yield the fruit of sanctification, and who bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/fear-not
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2022 18:10:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-22-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-21-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-21-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-21-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Leverage of Prayer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you understand what you are reading?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Acts%208:30/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Acts 8:30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We would be more able teachers, and not so easily carried away by every wind of doctrine, if we sought to have a more intelligent understanding of the Word of God. As the Holy Spirit, the Author of the Scriptures, is the only one who can enlighten us rightly to understand them, we should constantly ask His help to lead us into truth. When the prophet Daniel was called upon to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, what did he do? He set himself to earnest prayer that God would open up the vision.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The apostle John, in his vision at Patmos, saw a book sealed with seven seals that none was found worthy to open or so much as to look upon. The book was afterward opened by the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who had prevailed to open it; but it is written first, “I wept much.” The tears of John, which were his liquid prayers, were, so far as he was concerned, the sacred keys by which the folded book was opened.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Therefore, if, for your own and others’ profiting, you desire to be “filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,”1 remember that prayer is your best means of study.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Like Daniel, you shall understand the dream and its interpretation when you have sought it from God; and like John you shall see the seven seals of precious truth unloosed after you have wept much.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Stones are not broken except by a constant, diligent use of the hammer; and the stone-breaker must go down on his knees. Use the hammer of diligence, and let the knee of prayer be exercised, and there is not a stony doctrine in revelation that is useful for you to understand that will not fly into shivers under the exercise of prayer and faith. You may force your way through anything with the leverage of prayer. Thoughts and reasoning are like the steel wedges that give a hold upon truth; but prayer is the lever that pries open the iron chest of sacred mystery, that we may get the treasure hidden inside.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Colossians 1:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Feb 2022 17:47:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-21-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-18-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-18-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-18-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Confess Your Sins to God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Father, I have sinned.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Luke%2015:18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Luke 15:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is quite certain that those whom Christ has washed in His precious blood need not make a confession of sin as culprits or criminals before God the Judge, because Christ has forever taken away all their sins in a legal sense, so that they no longer stand where they can be condemned, but are once and for all accepted in the Beloved.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But having become children, and offending as children, should they not every day go before their heavenly Father and confess their sin and acknowledge their iniquity in that character? Nature teaches that it is the duty of erring children to make a confession to their earthly father, and the grace of God in the heart teaches us that we, as Christians, owe the same duty to our heavenly Father. We daily offend and ought not to rest without daily pardon. Suppose that my trespasses against my Father are not at once taken to Him to be washed away by the cleansing power of the Lord Jesus—what will be the consequence? If I have not sought forgiveness and been washed from these offenses against my Father, I shall feel at a distance from Him; I shall doubt His love for me; I shall tremble before Him; I shall be afraid to pray to Him: I shall grow like the prodigal who, although still a child, was yet far away from his father. But if with a child’s sorrow at offending so gracious and loving a Parent, I go to Him and tell Him everything, and do not rest until I realize that I am forgiven, then I shall feel a holy love to my Father and shall go through my Christian career not only as saved, but as one enjoying present peace in God through Jesus Christ my Lord.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is a wide distinction between confessing sin as a culprit and confessing sin as a child. The Father’s bosom is the place for penitent confessions. We have been cleansed once for all, but our feet still need to be washed from the defilement of our daily walk as children of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Feb 2022 15:05:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-18-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-17-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-17-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No Other Name!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Acts%204%3A5%E2%80%9312/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Acts 4:5–12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No other name! This is an assertion which is tough to take. Why does God have to be so exclusive? It seems unreasonable to us who are so used to having so many choices – so many, perhaps, that most of the time we don’t know how to make up our minds about anything. It seems unreasonable that here, where it matters most, there should be “no other name,” and only one choice. Just look a little closer to see how radical this exclusiveness really is. Peter doesn’t say, for instance, that this is the “highest” name, perhaps the “highest type of religion known to man,” so that we could line up the different types and compare them and classify them; and then if we’re convinced that this is the highest, take it. Peter doesn’t even say that it’s necessarily the best for us – so that we could go shopping for what we like best and then choose it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           No, for Peter, it isn’t even a matter of lining up the alternatives, as if one could go shopping for a God the way one shops for new clothes. For Peter, the simple truth is that there’s salvation in no one else. There’s no other name. And this is what’s tough for us to take. It seems to be a rather undemocratic way for God to proceed. It seems to be oppressive and arbitrary. And yet, if we take another look at the passage, it becomes apparent that if God is trying to oppress us, he has taken up a pretty strange means of doing so. As Peter says, it was the stone which the builders rejected which has become the head of the corner. In other words, it wasn’t God who oppressed us. It was we who oppressed him! It wasn’t God who forced himself upon us. Rather, it was us who forced ourselves upon God. And the strangest part is that he let us do it – he let us reject him, get rid of him, push him out of our world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I think that we’ll all agree that this would be a pretty strange procedure for someone who was out to oppress us. Yet it is to this strange turn of events that we must look to find the answer to God's exclusiveness. There’s no other name because only in Jesus Christ has God taken upon himself the full burden of our rejection. Only in Christ has God taken upon himself the worst that could ever happen between God and man: he has allowed himself to be rejected. And somewhere in this fact lies the mystery of God’s exclusiveness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today we live in a world where we frequently hear the language of rejection. We hear a lot of talk about the absence of God and the loss of spiritual and moral values. We read often in the literature of our time about the emptiness and arid meaninglessness of human existence. And all of this is no doubt true and serious enough. And I suppose that all of us – if we’re being truthful – feel this in our own lives, whether we like to admit it or not. But the meaninglessness is there, waiting for us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But the question is: what shall we do about it? Shall we start a crusade, perhaps in order to force God back into modern life? Shall we develop another tiresome method for browbeating people into being good? Or shall we start a new religion – one which fits the modern temperament? If so, how shall we go about it? What is there left to believe in? All this talk about meaninglessness, emptiness, and the absence of moral value should show us that our plans and schemes to find meaning for ourselves – even our attempts at self-help – are a spent force. It’s too late for phony reforms and moral rearmament.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So what shall we do about it? Perhaps, at long last, we should listen to the words of Peter. Perhaps, precisely because of the meaninglessness that surrounds us, we’re in a better position to understand what he meant when he said that there was no other name whereby the must be saved. For what does the meaninglessness and emptiness add up to, but yet another form of our rejection of God? It’s nothing new – just another chapter in the story of one of our favorite occupations: getting rid of God. We’ve been at it since the beginning of time, and will be until the end.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now, the question isn’t what we’re going to do about it. The question is, what did God do about it? Did he attempt to force himself upon us? Did he come bustling into our world with another tiresome plan for moral improvement? Did he come armed with just one more religious do-it-yourself kit? No! Wonder-of-wonders, he did nothing. Rather, it’s as if he arrives and says, “If you want to get rid of me, go ahead – and see where it gets you!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As Dietrich Bonhoeffer has said, Christ lets us push him out of our world and onto the cross. And why? Because he knows that’s the only way he can help us. This is the only way he can melt our hardened hearts. It’s the only way he can create this thing called faith. It’s the only way he can give us meaning in a meaningless world. This is God’s solution to our problem. This is the fulfillment of his plan and the last act of the divine drama. It’s the final thing that God has to say to us in his attempt to get through to us and heal us. This is his great risk: for if the cross doesn’t work, nothing else will. And then it doesn’t really matter anyway.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This, then, is the mystery of God’s exclusiveness: that in Jesus Christ, God takes upon himself the full weight of our rejection once and for all time. He bears it and overcomes it. He doesn’t force himself upon us, but takes this last great gamble for our life because he knows that there’s no other way we can be helped. By his resurrection, he turns the worst into the best. So then God’s exclusiveness becomes the answer to the threat of meaninglessness in our lives. The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner – and there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.1517.org/articles/no-other-name
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 17 Feb 2022 13:19:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-16-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-16-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-16-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           True Love -- Missing in Action Today
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The voices around Valentine’s Day say that ‘love is everywhere’. It’s a wonderful thought but is it true? Where there is disagreement today, we find hostility, bitterness and anger. Rarely is genuine, thoughtful conversation exploring points of difference welcome. If someone disagrees, they are considered an enemy.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is not without significance that Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Plain: “But I say to you that hear, love your enemies” (Luke 6:27).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Moses had commanded, love your neighbor (Leviticus 19:18). In Jesus’ day the Jewish leaders had narrowed the application of neighbor to refer to people with similar religious views; it did not include enemies. But Jesus went further and said that his followers cannot be selective about whom they love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To love one’s enemies means loving those who oppose, mock or persecute us. It’s a call not to retaliate in kind for that only exacerbates the issue. Rather, we are to pray and do good. This was a real challenge for Jesus’ hearers in Roman occupied Judea; it’s a challenge for us today.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Love distils the essence of Jesus’ ethic. Significantly this love is not simply brotherly love, romantic love, or even natural affection, but rather the kind of love that God practises: a love that chooses to love those unworthy of love – even enemies. The original language uses a rare Greek word, agape.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus explains what agape love looks like: “Pray for those who abuse you; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you”, he says (6:28). Love calls for practical action. The kind of love of which Jesus speaks means praying for the persecutors – even the unjust and violent.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doing good means being willing to forego personal ‘rights’ – being prepared to be vulnerable and ‘go the extra mile’. “If anyone strikes you on the cheek,” Jesus continues, “offer the other cheek as well” (6:29). The image is of a slap across the face with the back of the hand, a humiliating action. It’s an abuse of power (such as we find in Luke 12:45f; 18:3-5; 23:36f). But, Jesus is saying, true neighbor love is the willingness to forgive and not retaliate, to offer support and even minister to the persecutors. Such love may mean understanding what may lie behind someone’s aggressive anger – it may be a genuine personal injury. Revenge is not on.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A similar point is made with Jesus’ references to cloak or coat (6:29). The illustration here carries the idea of theft. But the response is the same: again, revenge is excluded. Forgiveness and vulnerability are called for when dealing with personal injustice and religious persecution.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now we need to understand that Jesus is not referring here to governments. One of the tasks of good governments is to protect its people – which may, in extreme circumstances, involve taking up arms. But this is not what Jesus is speaking about here. Luke tells us in 6:20 that while vast crowds are present, Jesus’ words are carefully and deliberately directed to his followers – his people in their personal relationships.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So in verse 30 he tells us that the self-giving nature of the love he is talking about also demands a response of assisting the destitute. The reference to begging is not so much to beggars on the street but to people who are genuinely in need. Love requires unexpected generosity. And he tells us, such love doesn’t expect anything in return.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now I need to stress that Jesus expects us to act with godly wisdom in the way we express our love in practice. Such are the needs of the world that if we gave to every needy person around us, we ourselves would become destitute and homeless, needing others to provide for us. It’s important we understand that Jesus is laying out principles to frame the attitudes and actions for anyone who says they are a follower of his.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With that he sets out what has become known as ‘the golden rule’: “Do to others as you would have them do to you…” That is, ‘Treat others as you would want them to treat you’ (6:31). Jesus’ words here are positive and pro-active.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They are based on the principle of the Old Testament command in Leviticus 19:18: You must love your neighbor as yourself. In Luke chapter 10 we learn through Jesus’ parable of ‘The Good Samaritan’ what the practice of neighbor love looks like. It means caring for anyone we come across who is in need and whom we have the power to help. Jesus doesn’t expect us to act if we don’t have the resources to do so.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He was laying then the foundation for a new social order that over time has provided a framework for justice tempered by mercy and forgiveness, in marriage and family, in constitutions and laws, protecting the rights of citizens and reversing many evils in society.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ definition and practice of the law of love radically reverses the way we relate to one another. And this reversal is grounded in the character of God and his nature of love: “Love your enemies, do good and lend, expect nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (6:35).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In John Stott’s last book, The Radical Disciple (IVP: 2010, p.40), he referenced a Hindu professor who, ‘identifying one of his students as a Christian, once said, ‘If you Christians lived like Jesus Christ, India would be at your feet tomorrow’’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A Prayer: Grant us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always such things as are right, so that we who cannot do anything that is good without you, may in your strength be able to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://anglicanconnection.com/true-love-missing-in-action-today/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 16 Feb 2022 13:50:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-16-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-15-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-15-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-15-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is Love?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How many people do you know that have made it to the hall of fame in music, art, literature, or sports because of their love? We elevate people to the status of heroes because of their gifts, their talents, and their power, but not because of their love. Yet, from God’s perspective, love is the chief of all virtues. But what is love?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Love is said to make the world go round, and romantic love certainly makes the culture go round in terms of advertising and entertainment. We never seem to tire of stories that focus on romance. But we’re not referring to romantic love when we speak of the Christian virtue of love. We’re talking about a much deeper dimension of love, a virtue so paramount that it is to distinguish Christians from all other people. Moreover, love is so important to the Bible’s teachings that John tells us, “God is love” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20John%204%3A7%E2%80%938/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 4:7–8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Whatever else we say about the Christian virtue of love, we must be clear that the love God commands is a love that imitates His own. The love of God is utterly perfect. And we are called to reflect and mirror that love to perfection, to be perfect as He is perfect (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matt.%205%3A48/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 5:48
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Now, of course, none of us loves perfectly, which is why we must be covered with the perfect righteousness of Christ by faith in Him alone. Nevertheless, it’s important for us to return time and again to Scripture to find out what love is supposed to look like, for we’re so easily satisfied with a sentimental, maudlin, romantic, or superficial understanding of love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/First%20Corinthians%2013/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           First Corinthians 13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            plumbs the depths of what love really means. It’s a measuring rod by which we can examine ourselves carefully to see whether this love resides in our hearts and is manifested in our lives. Given that truth, I’m surprised that 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Corinthians%2013/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Corinthians 13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is one of the most popular passages in all of Scripture instead of being one of the most despised. I can’t think of any chapter in Scripture that more quickly reveals our sins than this chapter. It’s popularity may be due to its being one of the most misunderstood and least applied chapters in the Bible. There’s a sense in which we’re ambivalent toward it. We’re drawn to it because of the grandeur of its theme and the eloquence of its language, yet at the same time we’re repulsed by this chapter because it reveals our shortcomings. We want to keep some safe distance from it because it so clearly demonstrates to us our lack of real love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This chapter is part of an Apostolic admonition to Christians who were torn apart by contentions in the church. They were behaving in an immature, fleshly manner, and at the heart of this ungodly behavior was a manifestation of certain talents, abilities, and gifts without the presence of love in their lives. In the opening verses, Paul speaks of love as the sine qua non of Christian virtue (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Cor.%2013%3A1%E2%80%933/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 13:1–3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). He’s speaking with hyperbole, intentionally exaggerating things to make his point. He starts off comparing love to the gift of tongues. Paul says, in effect, “I don’t care if you are fluent in fifty languages or if you have the gift to speak foreign languages miraculously. I don’t care if God has endowed you with the ability to speak the language of the heavenly host. If you don’t have love, the eloquence of your speech becomes noise. It becomes dissonance, an irritating and annoying racket.” He says here that if we speak in the tongues of men and of angels but have not love, we become a sounding brass or a clanging symbol—mere noise. All the beauty of speech is lost when love is absent.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul then compares love to the gifts of prophecy and understanding, miraculous endowments that God gave to people during the Apostolic era. These tremendous gifts were nothing compared to love. The Apostle says that you can have a miraculous endowment, you can receive power from God the Holy Spirit, but it is to be used in the context of the grace of love. And without that love, the use of the divine power is a charade. Jesus had to warn even His own disciples about the danger of using a God-given gift without love. Jesus empowered His disciples to participate in His ministry of exorcism, and they went out on their mission and came back clicking their heels. They were so excited at the effectiveness of their ministry that they were rejoicing in the power Christ had given them. But what did Jesus say? Don’t rejoice because you have been given power over Satan, but rejoice that your names have been written in heaven (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2010%3A1%E2%80%9320/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 10:1–20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The disciples were caught up with the power instead of the grace that was underlying that power. They were intoxicated with the gift, and were forgetting the One who gave it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The bottom line is that the gifts of God can be used without love. When that happens, their value is destroyed. The essence of love, 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Corinthians%2013/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Corinthians 13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            tells us, is to seek the welfare of others. A person who reflects God’s love is driven to give of himself for others, not to wield his power for his own benefit. But we are people who are more interested in power, in doing rather than being. We’re more concerned to seize the supernatural power that God can give rather than the supernatural love that is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%205%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 5:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). We have misplaced priorities. Thanks be to God that His love for us is greater than our love for Him. May He strengthen us to pursue love above all else, a love that reflects His love for us in Christ (5:8).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-is-love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Feb 2022 13:55:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-15-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Super Bowl Outreach 2022 Game Summary</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Praise the Lord for all 73 labors for the SBO’22!
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Vans Leaving to take Gospel to City of LA Super Bowl 22
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Super Bowl Evangelists Getting Prepared to share the Gospel
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Super+Bowl+Evangelists+Getting+Prepared+to+share+the+Gospel-2d76166e.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Super-Bowl#SBO22GAMESUMMARIES
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi #superbowloutreach
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Feb 2022 22:25:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/super-bowl-outreach-2022-game-summary</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/ministry+reports.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-14-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-14-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-14-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Your Faith Has Saved You
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           She had been immediately healed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Luke%208:47/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Luke 8:47
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One of the most touching and instructive of the Savior’s miracles is before us tonight. The woman was very ignorant. She imagined that virtue came out of Christ by a law of necessity, without His knowledge or direct will. Moreover, she was a stranger to the generosity of Jesus’ character, or she would not have gone behind to steal the cure that He was so ready to provide.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Misery should always place itself right in the face of mercy. Had she known the love of Jesus’ heart, she would have said, “I need only to put myself where He can see me—His omniscience will teach Him my case, and His love will immediately work my cure.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We admire her faith, but we marvel at her ignorance. After she had obtained the cure, she rejoiced with trembling: She was glad that the divine virtue had worked a marvel in her; but she feared in case Christ should retract the blessing and negate the grant of His grace. Little did she comprehend the fullness of His love! We do not have as clear a view of Him as we could wish; we do not know the heights and depths of His love. But we know of a certainty that He is too good to withdraw from a trembling soul the gift that it has been able to obtain.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But here is the marvel of it: Although her knowledge was small, her faith, because it was real faith, saved her, and saved her at once. There was no tedious delay—faith’s miracle was instantaneous. If we have faith as a grain of mustard seed, salvation is our present and eternal possession. If in the list of the Lord’s children we are described as the feeblest of the family, yet, being heirs through faith, no power, human or devil, can eject us from salvation. If we dare not lean our heads upon His bosom with John, yet if we can venture in the crowd behind Him and touch the hem of his garment, we are made whole. Take courage, timid one! Your faith has saved you; go in peace. “Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God.”1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Romans 5:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77-01098826.jpg" length="205049" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Feb 2022 15:36:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-14-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77-01098826.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-11-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-11-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-11-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Return to Your First Love
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You have abandoned the love you had at first.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Revelation%202:4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Revelation 2:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We will always remember that best and brightest of hours when we first saw the Lord, lost our burden, received the gift of grace, rejoiced in full salvation, and went on our way in peace. It was springtime in the soul; the winter was past; the mutterings of Sinai’s thunders were hushed; the flashings of its lightnings were no more perceived; God was beheld as reconciled; the law threatened no vengeance, and justice demanded no punishment.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then the flowers appeared in our heart. Hope, love, peace, and patience sprang from the ground; the hyacinth of repentance, the snowdrop of pure holiness, the crocus of golden faith, the daffodil of early love—all decked the garden of the soul.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The time of the singing of birds had arrived, and we rejoiced with thanksgiving; we magnified the holy name of our forgiving God, and our resolve was, “Lord, I am Yours, Yours alone. All I am, and all I have, I devote to You. You have bought me with Your blood—let me spend myself and be spent in Your service. In life and in death let me be consecrated to You.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How well have we kept this resolve? Our first love burned with a holy flame of devotion to Jesus—is it the same now? Is it possible that Jesus may say to us, “I have something against you, because you have left your first love”? Sadly we have done little for our Master’s glory. Our winter has lasted all too long. We are as cold as ice when we should feel a summer’s glow and bloom with sacred flowers. We give God pennies when He deserves much more, deserves our heart’s blood to be coined in the service of His church and of His truth. But shall we continue in this way? O Lord, after You have blessed us so richly, shall we be ungrateful and become indifferent to Your good cause and work? Quicken us that we may return to our first love and do our first works! Send us a joyful spring, O Sun of Righteousness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 11 Feb 2022 15:25:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-11-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-10-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-10-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-10-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He Preached, and it Stood Firm
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. He Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!" (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Psalm%2033%3A1-12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 33:1-12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The first thing we say about God, in both the Apostles’ and Nicene creeds, is that God is almighty: “I believe in God the Father almighty.” Almighty is not so much an attribute as part of God’s name. After all, if your god is not almighty, you had better find one who is, or you are wasting your time. When I pray, I want to contact the God who can actually do something. But of course, there is a reason we say we believe in almighty God, since reason and every fiber of our being fights against this truth of God’s almighty power. We want God to be pretty mighty but to leave enough room in the universe for humans to have a space where we are perhaps not mighty but at least have enough power to affect our fate in the end. This dream seems to help us fend off the fear that God does everything by divine necessity and leaves nothing to our human wills. But then we are overcome by the fact that we can’t ever seem to be faithful to God. We are weak, and so we are forever at loose ends.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Almighty God refers to omnipotence or power. But when sinners think of power, they can only imagine power in terms of the order, structure, and beauty of the law. Does someone have the wherewithal not merely to think about something, but to act—not just to talk the talk, but walk the walk? In fact, thinking this way considers that spoken words are the least powerful thing on earth: “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words may never hurt me.” But unlike creatures, God’s power is actually in his word. One of the most difficult and frightening cases of God’s word-power is the scripture that says: “God hardened Pharaoh’s heart” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Exodus%209%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Exodus 9:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Luther recognized that God not only hardened pharaoh’s heart, but God does everything in the universe by his eternal word.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To show how important this is to the preaching of the gospel, Luther turned to 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Psalm%2033/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 33
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : “For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm” (v. 9).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Even the powerful King David had to command someone to do something and then wait to see if would happen. Who knows? It depends upon the will of the servant. But David was finally made sure by the time of his thirty-third Psalm that God had only to speak to him—even once—and instantly everything was already done. It had happened to him that way through his preacher Nathan. God’s all-working, almighty power is done purely by speaking, and it travels at the speed of sound.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The whole of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Psalm%2033/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 33
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            is David giving thanks to God for this one thing: He speaks to me! God opened his mouth and gave me His word! O, wondrous day! So, David gives a yelp of joy (v. 1) in the form of a “new song” that is directly contrary to what David thought power was like before he got a preacher. For that reason, since David never liked singing alone, he wants you to sing with him with brash shouts and loud guitars (v. 3). God preached to David, and David could not help but rejoice. Who would not praise this sermon vociferously, once the silent, mysterious, and fearful God opens the heavens and actually says something to you? And what God says is not, “How is the weather?” or “What are you doing for me?” but rather “The word of the Lord is Yashar—Joshua/Jesus” and all his word/deeds are done “in faithfulness.” No wonder David was so happy. He thought he was going to get a full condemnation when God spoke, but he got Christ/mercy instead.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then David put together the two things most important about God’s word. First, “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made” (v. 6). In the beginning, before anything was made that ever was made—God spoke and it came to be. This is what we call the doctrine of creation concerning God’s almighty power. Then, second, when God finds a sinner (like David) and gives his promise of forgiveness to him, he instantly becomes a new creation! Justification of the ungodly is a new work done by God’s word alone.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So what about you? If God ever forgives you, it is not just allowing you to start over and try harder the second time, but it is a whole, new, complete justification that is given as a free gift and without any work of our own—outside the law. This is especially a work that is not done by any exercise of my free will. Creation and justification, these two doctrines, are what God does with his word. Furthermore, the second is so new that it cannot be corrupted, changed, or lost because, “when God speaks, so it happens, as he commands so it is” (v. 9). What the Lord promises, he faithfully delivers (v. 4). And no power in all the world (not mine, not Satan’s, not the nations’) can overcome it: “The Lord brings the counsels of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the people—the counsel of the Lord stands forever” (v. 11).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Faith eagerly anticipates what God is going to say again, since he has now chosen us (v. 12), and no person or power—height or depth—can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. What he promises he necessarily, faithfully, delivers. Go ahead and sing this new song with David.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.1517.org/articles/he-preached-and-it-stood-firm
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 10 Feb 2022 15:53:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-10-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-9-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-9-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-9-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           '...Joy in the Morning'
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For the past two years it seems that all the news has been bad news: international tensions, leaders constantly verbally attacking one another – especially during a pandemic when unity would seem to be a better way for countries to address the crisis – bitterness and anger, blame and vitriol being spewed in the media and social media, together with divisions in the western world. We can feel overwhelmed, swamped and beaten down by what appear to be unsolvable situations.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Over these weeks we are touching on various scenes in the Gospel of Luke. And as we do it’s important to keep in mind Luke’s claim that his narrative is an accurate record about Jesus: it had been delivered by eyewitnesses and ministers of the word… (Luke 1:2). Many respected ancient historians are agreed that Jesus not only lived but that the Gospel records are reliable.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 6:17-19 tells us that huge crowds came to Jesus to hear him teach and to be healed. What follows is a sermon specifically addressed to his group of close followers as well as to a huge crowd. It begins: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (6:20).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           These are searching words, challenging us to ask, ‘Whose blessing do I want most of all – the blessing of my family and friends, the world, or the blessing of God?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When Jesus says, “Blessed are you who are poor”, he is not only speaking of the materially destitute. At least four of his disciples there that day weren’t materially poor. Peter and his brother had a fishing business, as did James and John. Yes, Jesus does have compassion for the materially poor and the powerless, but he has in mind a wider meaning of the poor – people who are aware that life is meaningless without God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the 16th century, Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, understood the spiritual poverty of our human hearts. Ashley Null has summarized Cranmer’s understanding of our human nature: ‘What the heart loves, the will chooses, and the mind justifies’. In our natural state we have no true love for God and his ways. Blessed, Jesus says, are those who are aware of their spiritual need, for yours is the kingdom of heaven. Such people are members of God’s kingdom now and can already taste the joys of experiencing God in their lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Blessed are you who are hungry now for you will be filled”, Jesus continues (6:21). In saying the hungry will be filled, he is speaking of God’s plan to provide everything good in all its fullness for his people – spiritually and materially. The hungry now long for the day when God’s purposes and promises are fulfilled.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Blessed are you who weep now” describes each of us who grieve over our own personal sin. These words also refer to those of us who weep because we grieve for a world where evil and its outcomes abound.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dr. Luke records examples of these kinds of grief elsewhere: the woman who poured expensive perfume over Jesus’ feet at a dinner, wept because of her former lifestyle (7:38); Peter wept when he heard the rooster crow, expressing his grief over denying Jesus three times (22:62); and, not long before his crucifixion, Jesus wept over Jerusalem because its people were rejecting him (19:41).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But weeping is not the final outcome for those who grieve. Jesus promises a day that will fulfil the words of Psalm 30:5: Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning – supremely, the dawning of the day of Christ’s return.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The fourth blessing is the climax to the blessings. It is both a statement and an exhortation. Jesus is saying that his followers will experience suffering and persecution in various ways – hatred, exclusion, denunciation, the blackening of their name, because of their association with him, the Son of man (6:22). Indeed, in 2012 Dr. Angela Merkel, the then German Chancellor stated that Christians were the most persecuted group in the world. And nothing has changed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Jesus exhorts us, “Rejoice in that day. Leap for joy, for behold your reward is great in heaven” (6:23). ‘Be glad on that day,’ he says, ‘not because you have earned a reward in heaven but because the opposition you experience signifies your genuine commitment to me’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He now continues with some very tough words: “Woe”, or “Alas”, he says. Woe conveys regret or sadness. It is the very opposite of blessing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘People who live for riches and prosperity, the power and pleasures that riches can bring,’ he says, ‘will only experience these benefits in this present world’ (6:24). ‘They will be your only consolation for you won’t have them in the life to come’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Linked with the rich are those who are full now: people who live simply to satisfy the desires of the flesh will one day experience emptiness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Woe to you who laugh now (6:25b). Jesus is not suggesting that his followers are miserable and never laugh or smile. Rather he is speaking against people who are filled with their own interests and delights, and who mock the things of God. Like the rich man in the parable he later told (12:15-21), they have no regard for God at all. They give no thought to the fact that all the good things that make for fun, laughter and success, ultimately come from God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Woe to you when all speak well of you (6:26). Jesus now has tough words for people who live for the plaudits of the crowd. He is speaking of people who win popular adulation at the price of leaving God out of their lives (see 6:22). The self-serving path of popularity is the road to nowhere.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is easy to look for solutions to our fears and anxieties in wealth, clothes, popularity, and the good life. Someone who valued his lifestyle on the Sydney Harbour foreshore, once told me I shouldn’t bother him about God: he had heaven now. To which I responded: ‘But for how long?’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The mix of present and future tenses associated with Jesus’ blessings reveal that all who turn to him can look forward to joy in the morning when he returns; already we can taste what this will mean.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. God our Father, you have promised to remain for ever with those who do what is just and right; help us to live in your presence. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://anglicanconnection.com/joy-in-the-morning/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 09 Feb 2022 15:05:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-9-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-8-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-8-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-8-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Anatomy of Doubt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Spiritus sanctus non est skepticus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           —“The Holy Spirit is not a skeptic.” So Luther rebuked Erasmus of Rotterdam for his expressed disdain for making sure assertions. Luther roared, “The making of assertions is the very mark of the Christian. Take away assertions and you take away Christianity. Away now, with the skeptics!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Doubt is the hallmark of the skeptic. The skeptic dares to doubt the indubitable. Even demonstrable proof fails to persuade him. The skeptic dwells on Mt. Olympus, far aloof from the struggles of mortals who care to pursue truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But doubt has other faces. It is the assailant of the faithful striking fear into the hearts of the hopeful. Like Edith Bunker, doubt nags the soul. It asks “Are you sure?” Then, “Are you sure you’re sure?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Still doubt can appear as a servant of truth. Indeed it is the champion of truth when it wields its sword against what is properly dubious. It is a citadel against credulity. Authentic doubt has the power to sort out and clarify the difference between the certain and the uncertain, the genuine and the spurious.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Consider Descartes. In his search for certainty, for clear and distinct ideas, he employed the application of a rigorous and systematic doubt process. He endeavored to doubt everything he could possibly doubt. He doubted what he saw with his eyes and heard with his ears. He realized that our senses can and do often deceive us. He doubted authorities, both civil and ecclesiastical, knowing that recognized authorities can be wrong. He would submit to no fides implicitum claimed by any human being or institution. Biographies usually declare that Descartes was a Frenchman but his works reveal that he was surely born in Missouri.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Descartes doubted everything he could possibly doubt until he reached the point where he realized there was one thing he couldn’t doubt. He could not doubt that he was doubting. To doubt that he was doubting was to prove that he was doubting. No doubt about it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From that premise of indubitable doubt, Descartes appealed to the formal certainty yielded by the laws of immediate inference. Using impeccable deduction he concluded that to be doubting required that he be thinking, since thought is a necessary condition for doubting. From there it was a short step to his famous axiom, cogito ergo sum, “I think, therefore I am.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At last Descartes arrived at certainty, the assurance of his own personal existence. This was, of course, before Hume attacked causality and Kant argued that the self belongs to the unknowable noumenal realm that requires a “transcendental apperception” (whatever that is) to affirm at all. One wonders how Descartes would have responded to Hume and Kant had he lived long enough to deal with them. I have no doubt that the man of doubt would have prevailed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There were clearly unstated assumptions lurking beneath the surface of Descartes’ logic. Indeed there was logic itself. To conclude that to doubt doubt is to prove doubt is a conclusion born of logic. It assumes the validity of the law of non-contradiction. If the law of non-contradiction is not a valid and necessary law of thought, then one could argue (irrationally to be sure) that doubt can be doubt and not be doubt at the same time and in the same relationship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The second assumption was the validity of the law of causality (which, in the final analysis, is merely an extension of the law of non-contradiction). Descartes could not doubt that an effect not merely may, but must have an antecedent cause. Doubt, by logicial necessity, requires a doubter, even as thought requires a thinker. This is nothing more than arguing that action of any kind cannot proceed from non-being. Hume's skepticism of causality was cogent insofar as he brilliantly displayed the difficulty of assigning a particular cause to a particular effect or event. But not even Hume was able to repeal the law of causality itself. It is one thing to doubt what the cause of a particular effect is, it is quite another to argue that the effect may have no cause at all. This is the fundamental error countless thinkers have made since Hume. I once read a critical review of Classical Apologetics in which the able and thoroughly Christian reviewer observed, “The problem with Sproul is that he refuses to acknowledge the possibility of an uncaused effect.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I wrote to my reviewing collegue and pleaded guilty to the charge. Mea culpa. I do refuse to acknowledge even the most remote possibility of an uncaused effect. I have the same obstreperous stubbornness for circles that are not round and for married bachelors. I asked my friend to cite but one example, real or theoretical, of an uncaused effect and I would repent in dust and ashes. I’m still waiting for his reply. If he reads this perhaps it will jog his memory and induce him either to deliver the goods or admit his glaring error.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I certainly allow for uncaused being, namely God, but not for uncaused effects. An uncaused effect is an oxymoron, a veritable contradiction in terms, a statement patently and analytically false, which Descartes could refute in his Dutch oven without the benefit of empirical testing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So how does this affect the Christian in his struggle with the doubts that assail faith? The content of Christianity, in all its parts, cannot be reduced simplistically to Cartesian syllogisms. The lesson we learn from Descartes is this: when assailed by doubt, it is time to search diligently for first principles that are certain. We build upon the foundation of what is sure. This affects the whole structure of apologetics. It is a matter of order. It seems astonishing to the lay person that anybody would go to the extremes Descartes insisted simply to discover that he existed. What could be more self-evident to a conscious being than one's own self-consciousness? But Descartes was not on a fool’s errand. In a world of sophisticated skepticism, Descartes sought certainty for something that could serve as a foundation for much, much more. He moved from the certitude of self-consciousness to the certitude of the existence of God, no small matter for the doubt-ridden believer. Descartes and others like him understood that to prove the existence of God is prior to affirming the trustworthiness of Scripture and the birth and work of the person of Christ. Once it is certain that God exists and reveals Himself in Scripture, there is ground for a legitimate fides implicitum.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But the order of the process to destroy doubt is crucial. For example, the miracles of the Bible cannot and were never designed to prove the existence of God. The very possibility of a miracle requires that there first be a God who can empower it. In other words, it is not the Bible that proves the existence of God, it is God who through miracle attests that the Bible is His word. Thus proven, to believe the Bible implicitly is a virtue. To believe it gratuitously is not.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The most important certainty we can ever have is the foundational certainty of the existence of God. It is this matter that prompted Edwards to declare: “Nothing is more certain than that there must be an unmade and unlimited being” (Miscellany #1340).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On this bedrock of certainty rests the promises of that unmade, unlimited Being. On these promises we rest our faith. Doubting served Descartes well, but Edwards knew that ultimately, it is dubious to doubt the indubitable.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/the-anatomy-of-doubt
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Feb 2022 23:35:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-8-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-7-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-7-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-7-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           'Come Up Here!'
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here!’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Revelation%2011:12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Revelation 11:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Without considering these words in their prophetic connection, let us regard them as the invitation of our great Forerunner to His sanctified people. In due time there shall be heard “a loud voice from heaven” to every believer, saying, “Come up here.” This should be to the saints the subject of joyful anticipation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Instead of dreading the time when we will leave this world to go to the Father, we should be longing for the hour of our emancipation. Our song should be—
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My heart is with Him on His throne,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And ill can brook delay;
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Each moment listening for the voice,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Rise up and come away.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We are not called down to the grave but up to the skies. Our heaven-born spirits should long for their native air. Yet the heavenly summons should be the object of patient waiting. Our God knows best when to bid us, “Come up here.” We must not wish to antedate the period of our departure.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I know that strong love will make us cry,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           O Lord of Hosts, the waves divide,
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           And land us all in heaven.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But patience must have her perfect work. God ordains with accurate wisdom the most fitting time for the redeemed to live below. Surely, if there could be regrets in heaven, the saints might mourn that they did not live longer here to do more good. Oh, for more sheaves for my Lord’s harvest, more jewels for His crown! But how unless there be more work? True, there is the other side of it, that, living so briefly, our sins are the fewer; but oh, when we are fully serving God, and He is asking us to scatter precious seed and reap a hundredfold, we would even say it is well for us to stay where we are. Whether our Master shall say, “Go” or “Stay,” let us be equally well pleased as long as He indulges us with His presence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Feb 2022 17:42:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-7-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-4-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-4-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-4-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The City of Refuge
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           … A refuge from the avenger of blood.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Joshua%2020:3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Joshua 20:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is said that in the land of Canaan, cities of refuge were so arranged that any man might reach one of them within half a day at the most. In the same way the word of our salvation is near to us; Jesus is a present Savior, and the way to Him is short. It is but a simple renunciation of our own merit and a laying hold of Jesus to be our all in all. With regard to the roads to the city of refuge, we are told that they were strictly preserved, every river was bridged, and every obstruction removed, so that the man who fled might find an easy passage to the city.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Once a year the elders went along the roads to check on their condition, so that nothing might impede the flight of anyone and cause them, through delay, to be overtaken and slain. How graciously do the promises of the Gospel remove stumbling blocks from the way! Wherever there were junctions and turnings, there were signposts clearly stating, “To the city of refuge!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This is a picture of the road to Christ Jesus. It is no roundabout road of the law; it is no obeying this, that, and the other; it is a straight road: “Believe, and live.” It is a road so hard that no self-righteous man can ever tread it, but so easy that every sinner who knows himself to be a sinner may by it find his way to heaven. As soon as the man seeking refuge reached the outskirts of the city, he was safe; it was not necessary for him to be beyond the walls—the suburbs themselves were sufficient protection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Learn from this that if you merely touch the hem of Christ’s garment, you shall be made whole; if you can only lay hold upon him with “faith as a grain of mustard seed,” you are safe.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A little genuine grace ensures
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The death of all our sins
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So waste no time; do not dillydally, for the avenger of blood moves quickly; and it could be that he is at your heels even this evening.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 04 Feb 2022 14:59:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-4-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-3-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-3-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-3-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Victims &amp;amp; Villains
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Netflix documentary Misha and the Wolves tells the story of Misha Defonseca and the publishing of her biography, Misha: A Memoire of the Holocaust Years. The book received international acclaim and was translated into eighteen languages, even being made into a feature film. The story as she tells it goes like this. During World War II, Misha—age six—escapes to the woods of Belgium after her Jewish parents are captured for resisting the Nazis. Here she is raised by a pack of wolves. Under the protection of the pack, she treks over 1,900 miles on foot, wandering all over Europe in a desperate search for her parents. The tale has all the elements of a good drama: A sympathetic main character. Unquestionably evil villains. And a hero’s journey against seemingly insurmountable odds to reunite with her loved ones. As one interviewee comments in the film, it’s almost too unbelievable to be true.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As it turns out, that was exactly the case. Misha’s whole story was an elaborate fiction.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While her parents did die in concentration camps, they were Catholic—not Jewish. Her father, though, was not quite the war hero she made him out to be. In fact, he gave up the names of fellow resistance members to the Nazis. When this was discovered, his name was erased from a local plaque honoring resistance fighters. As a result, Misha was labeled “The Traitor’s Daughter,” marked out as a pariah throughout her childhood. After her parents’ death she was sent to live with her grandparents and attended a local Catholic school. She never lived in the wilderness. She wasn’t raised by wolves. Her real name wasn’t even Misha; it was Monique De Wael.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           After the truth is discovered, Misha admits to the hoax, responding that the story she told “is not actual reality, but my reality, my way of surviving” and that at times she “found it difficult to differentiate between what was real and what was part of her imagination…I ask forgiveness to all who felt betrayed.” Her story was a survival mechanism, an elaborate scheme concocted to shield her from the harsh realities of a traumatic childhood. Orphaned at the age of four, victimized by the murder of her parents in war-torn Europe, Misha and the Wolves became her way of coping with her senseless experience. The web of deceit she wove was simply more bearable than the truth.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The comments of the historian who dispelled the hoax—ironically, herself an actual Holocaust survivor—are incredibly poignant. She articulates her own feelings toward Misha in this way: “I feel some pity, some repulsion. She is both a victim and a villain. She is both in this story.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Misha is both a victim and a villain. She was a victim of her circumstances. Yet she was also a villain, guilty of wrongdoing.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Victim and villain. These categories aptly summarize our condition as human beings. On the one hand, we are villains. Since the fall, when Adam &amp;amp; Eve rebelled against God, ate the fruit, and broke the world, we are natural-born born enemies with God (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ephesians%202%3A1-4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ephesians 2:1-4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Our default, out-of-the-box condition is now faulty from the start. And not in a passive sense, as though the fault can be laid exclusively on the shoulders of the first two humans, and maybe—had we been there instead—things would have turned out differently. The Apostle Paul categorically excludes such an interpretation in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom%205%3A12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom 5:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           : “…sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—.” All of humanity, in some sense, shares Adam’s sin and guilt. We are born into this world sinful from infancy, and—as Luther says in his large catechism—“we are never without sin because we carry our flesh around our neck.” Another pastor once put it like this: Our old Adam never gets converted. In other words, we are the villains in our own stories.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet we are also victims. In the Garden of Eden, the consequences of Adam &amp;amp; Eve’s sin is a set of curses pronounced by God (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gen%203%3A14-19/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen 3:14-19
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). The serpent would crawl on its belly. The woman’s pain in childbearing would increase. Relationships would be corrupted. The earth would bring forth thistles and thorns. That is why Paul speaks of all creation “groaning” and “in bondage and corruption” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom%208%3A19-22/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom 8:19-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). These are the effects of sin, and we experience them every day. Depression, anxiety, colostomies, disability, earthquakes, genetic disorders, pandemics. Through no fault of our own, we are beset with misfortune on every side, at the mercy of forces much stronger than us. In a powerful scene from the 2003 film “Luther,” Martin Luther makes these comments as he prepares to bury a young suicide victim: “Some people say that according to God’s justice this boy is damned because he took his life. I say he was overcome by the devil. Is this child any more to blame for the despair that overtook him than an innocent man that was murdered by a robber in the woods?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When we speak solely in terms of the “brokenness” of our world, it’s easy to exonerate ourselves as innocent victims. If we are nothing more than “complicit,” then the weight of the guilty verdict is lessened and perhaps we are less culpable than we thought. On the other hand, when we attribute everything wrong in our world today to personal sinfulness, we run the risk of victim-blaming and our capacity for compassion erodes. Jesus’ response to his disciples—who wrongly assumed that a certain man’s blindness was due to his own personal sin—is telling: “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%209%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 9:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , emphasis mine).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As spiritual etiologists, we must wield our diagnostic tools with care and precision. The world we inhabit is wrong in so many ways, and a holistic approach to this “wrongness” traces its cause both to sin itself and to the effects of sin. We are broken people living in a broken world. But that does not exculpate us, because we are also guilty people. Yet the good news is that Jesus died for both the victims and the villains. God has “forgiven us all of our trespasses by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in him [Christ]” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Col%202%3A13-15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col 2:13-15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God forgives villains and defeats the powers holding victims in thrall. But God goes one step further. Yes, we are forgiven. Yes, we are free. But through the shed blood Christ, villains are now labeled “heroes,” and victims are labeled “victors.” All wrongness is being reversed, and one day—very soon—everything wrong will be made right.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thanks be to God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.1517.org/articles/victims-villains
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Feb 2022 14:26:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-3-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/29/21 -  Pastor Craig Mussulman - Valero Alamo Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-29-21-pastor-craig-mussulman-valero-alamo-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist-e2bd0083.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I thought our time went well! There were 59,000 fans that showed up at the AlamoBowl.  We preached to nearly all of those 59,000 fans in 3 different locations and handed out approximately 3,500 tracts on How Can You Be Right With God?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Feb 2022 04:46:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-29-21-pastor-craig-mussulman-valero-alamo-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-2-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-2-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-2-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What if God Was One of Us?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Back in 1995 Joan Osborne’s ‘What If God Was One of Us?’ was an instant hit. It was asking the question how we would react if God was identifiably walking amongst us as just one of us. It’s a good question to ask in every generation, for it awakens us to a time when it is claimed that divinity did walk amongst us – not as one of the elite but as one of us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the opening lines of chapter 5 of Luke’s Gospel we read of a scene on the foreshores of Lake Gennesaret on Lake Galilee: … The crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear the word of God; he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In his book, The Holy Trinity Dr. Robert Letham comments that the world at the beginning of the 21st century replaced ‘reliance on reason’ with ‘a preference for emotion’. Successful athletes are more often asked ‘how they feel’ rather than for their analysis of the game. ‘The cardinal fault in interpersonal relations is to hurt someone’s feelings,’ he observes …
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ‘While emotions are not to be shunned, for God created them…,’ Letham continues, ‘there are peculiar and sinister dangers in a world shaped not by considered thoughts, but by image and gut feelings. These dangers relate to civil society and the rule of law, and also to the church and its faithfulness to Christ’ (pp.449f).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How often we fail to understand what is happening around us. And with this failure we’re not equipped to live wisely as God’s people in the wider community, let alone to defend our faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The drama that unfolds in Luke chapter 5 takes us back in time to Jesus’ teaching and actions, to the way he not only instructed minds, but also stirred emotions and touched hearts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The scene Luke describes in the opening lines of chapter 5 would have been a familiar sight: fishing boats hauled up at the water’s edge after a night’s work and fishermen washing nets. The nets, probably made of linen, were most effective at night for in daylight fish could see them and avoid them. This detail highlights the drama of the unfolding scene.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pressed by the crowds, Jesus asked Simon, one of the fishermen, to pull his boat a little offshore. Not one to stand on dignity, unexpectedly Jesus sat in the boat to teach the crowds: he came amongst them as one of them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke’s narrative now focuses on Jesus and Simon (Peter). ‘You (singular) put out into the deep,’ Jesus said to Peter, and ‘you (plural) let down your nets for a catch’ (5:4). The command is specifically to Simon, but also to the others who were there. All of them would be needed to haul in the catch.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thus, in a moment we are introduced to Simon Peter. For him Jesus’ command is ridiculous: he had fished all night and had caught nothing. Nevertheless, what he had seen and no doubt heard of Jesus (4:37; 38-39) impressed him. Significantly Peter didn’t address Jesus, as ‘Teacher’ or ‘Lord’, but rather as Master (5:5). ‘You’re the boss,’ his words implied. ‘I think you’re mad, but because it is you who has told me to do it, I’ll do it. Don’t blame me if we don’t catch anything.’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Clearly Jesus was someone who impressed Peter – perhaps the nature of his teaching, and even ‘the cut of his jib’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The haul of fish that day was astonishing. It was so great that a second boat was required for the nets were at breaking point and the two boats were almost swamped (5:6-7). Such was the size of the catch everyone recognized something abnormal had happened.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Astounded, Peter fell on his knees in front of Jesus. Acknowledging his lack of faith and the gulf that he perceived existed between them, he exclaimed, “Depart from me Lord, for I am a sinful man” (5:8). Peter knew he was in the presence of divinity.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           James and John, Peter’s business partners were also astonished (5:10). We can imagine an interviewer today asking, ‘How did you feel?’ By his words and actions Jesus touched minds and hearts. And, although he was clearly one of them, he awakened their awareness that divinity was walking amongst them. A miracle happened that day.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yet today miracles are dismissed because ‘we now know the laws of nature’. To which the philosopher and mathematician, Dr. John Lennox replies, “From a theistic perspective, the laws of nature predict what is bound to happen if God does not intervene… To argue that the laws of nature make it impossible for us to believe in the existence of God and the likelihood of his intervention in the universe is plainly false” (God and Stephen Hawking, Lion, p.87).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The laws of nature that science observes are the observable regularities that God the creator has built into the universe. However, such ‘laws’ don’t prevent God from intervening if he chooses. When he does, we are able to identify the irregularity and speak of it as ‘a miracle’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke’s record of Peter, James and John’s response to Jesus’ command and action that day (5:6-7), points to the One of whom it can be truly said: he is the man from heaven.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But the scene is not yet complete: Jesus says to Peter, “Don’t be afraid; henceforth you will be catching men and women” (5:10). The scene concludes with Luke’s comment: And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him (5:11). The three men, recognising divinity in their midst, left their business and followed Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Luke 5:1-11 we have significant clues to the answer of Joan Osborne’s question: What if God was one of us?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer: Almighty God, we thank you for the gift of your holy word. May it be a lantern to our feet, a light to our paths, and strength to our lives. Take us and use us to love and serve all people in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://anglicanconnection.com/what-if-god-was-one-of-us/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Feb 2022 15:09:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-2-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 2-1-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-1-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 2-1-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why Forgive?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When someone orders us to do something, or imposes an obligation, it is natural for us to ask two questions. The first question is, “Why should I?” and the second is, “Who says so?” The why and the authority behind the mandate are very important to the question of forgiveness.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To answer the question of why we should be forgiving people, let us look briefly at the teaching of Jesus in the New Testament. In Matthew’s gospel, chapter 18, verse 21 and following, we read this account:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “’But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “‘So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.’”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In this parable, the point of Jesus’ teaching is clear, that the why for forgiving others is rooted in the fact that we have been the recipients of extraordinary mercy and compassion. We are all debtors who cannot pay their debts to God. Yet God has been gracious enough to grant us forgiveness in Jesus Christ. It is no wonder that in the Lord's Prayer, Jesus instructs His disciples to say, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” There is a parallel, a joint movement of compassion, that is first received from God and then we in turn exercise the same compassion to others. God makes it clear that if we lack that compassion and harbor vengeance in our heart, rather than being ready to forgive again and again, we will forfeit any forgiveness that has been given to us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Thus, the foundation for a forgiving spirit is the experience of divine grace. It is by grace that we are saved. It is by grace that we live. It is by grace that we have been forgiven. Therefore, the why of forgiving is to manifest our own gratitude for the grace that we have received. Again, the parable of Jesus points to one who took the grace that he received for granted and refused to act in a way that mirrored and reflected the kindness of God. Why should we forgive? Simply, because God forgives us. It is not an insignificant thing to add on to the why the point that we are commanded by that God of grace to exercise grace in turn.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When we look at the question of forgiveness, however, we also have to ask the second query, “Who says so, and under what conditions are we to keep this requirement?” If we turn our attention to another gospel, we see in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2017/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            the following (vv. 1–4):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s important that we look closely at this directive from Jesus regarding forgiveness. It is often taught in the Christian community that Christians are called to forgive those who sin against them unilaterally and universally. We see the example of Jesus on the cross, asking God to forgive those who were executing Him, even though they offered no visible indication of repentance. From that example of Jesus, it has been inferred that Christians must always forgive all offenses against them, even when repentance is not offered. However, the most that we can legitimately infer from Jesus’ actions on that occasion is that we have the right to forgive people unilaterally. Though that may be indeed a wonderful thing, it is not commanded. If we look at the commandment that Jesus gives in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2017%3A3/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 17:3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , He says, “If your brother sins, rebuke him.” Notice that the first response to the offense is not forgiveness but rather rebuke. The Christian has the right to rebuke those who commit wrong doing against him. That's the basis for the whole procedure of church discipline in the New Testament. If we were commanded to give unilateral forgiveness to all, under all circumstances, then the whole action of church discipline to redress wrongs, would itself be wrong. But Jesus says, “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents . . . ,”—here is where the command becomes obligatory—if the offender repents, then it is mandatory for the Christian to forgive the one who has offended him. If we refuse to give forgiveness when repentance has been manifest, then we expose ourselves to the same fate as the unforgiving servant. We open ourselves to the wrath of God. If, indeed, I offend someone and then repent and express my apology to them, but he refuses to forgive me, then the coals of fire are on his head. Likewise, if we fail to give forgiveness, when one who has offended us repents of the offense, we expose ourselves to the coals of fire, and we are in worse shape than the one who has given the offense. In other words, it is transgression against God when we refuse to forgive those who have repented for their offenses to us. This is the teaching of Jesus. It is the mandate of Jesus. As we are united in Christ, we are to show that union by extending the same grace to others that He extends to us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/why-forgive
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Feb 2022 18:00:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-2-1-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-31-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-31-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-31-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Pace of Your Spiritual Journey
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/2%20Samuel%2018:23/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            2 Samuel 18:23
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Running is not everything. There is much in the way that we select: A swift foot over hill and down dale will not keep pace with a slower traveler upon level ground. How is it with my spiritual journey? Am I laboring up the hill of my own works and down into the ravines of my own humiliations and resolutions, or do I run by the plain way of “Believe and live”?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How blessed is it to wait upon the Lord by faith! The soul runs without weariness and walks without fainting in the way of believing. Christ Jesus is the way of life, and He is a plain way, a pleasant way, a way suitable for the tottering feet and feeble knees of trembling sinners. Am I found in this way, or am I hunting after another track such as priestcraft or metaphysics may promise me?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I read of the way of holiness, that the wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not err therein. Have I been delivered from proud reason and been brought as a little child to rest in Jesus‘ love and blood? If so, by God’s grace I shall outrun the strongest runner who chooses any other path.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This truth I may remember to my profit in my daily cares and needs. It will be my wisest course to go at once to my God, and not to wander in a roundabout manner to this friend and that. He knows my wants and can relieve them. To whom should I repair but to Himself by the direct appeal of prayer and the plain argument of the promise? “Straightforward makes the best runner.” I will not parley with the servants but hasten to their master.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In reading this passage, it strikes me that if men vie with each other in common matters, and one outruns the other, I ought to be in solemn earnestness so to run that I may obtain. Lord, help me to gird up the loins of my mind, and may I press forward toward the mark for the prize of my high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Feb 2022 17:58:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-31-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-28-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-28-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-28-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Glorify and Praise God
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Luke%202:20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Luke 2:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What was the subject of their praise? They praised God for what they had heard—for the good tidings of great joy that a Savior was born unto them. Let us copy them; let us also raise a song of thanksgiving that we have heard of Jesus and His salvation.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           They also praised God for what they had seen. There is the sweetest music—what we have experienced, what we have felt within, what we have made our own. It is not enough to hear about Jesus: Mere hearing may tune the harp, but the fingers of living faith must create the music. If you have seen Jesus with the God-giving sight of faith, suffer no cobwebs to linger among the harp-strings, but loud with the praise of sovereign grace, awake your psaltery and harp.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One point for which they praised God was the agreement between what they had heard and what they had seen. Observe the last sentence—“as it had been told them.” Have you not found the Gospel to be in yourselves just what the Bible said it would be? Jesus said He would give you rest—have you not enjoyed the sweetest peace in Him?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He said you would have joy and comfort and life through believing in Him—have you not received all these? Are not His ways ways of pleasantness, and His paths paths of peace? Surely you can say with the queen of Sheba, “The half was not told me.”1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I have found Christ more sweet than His servants ever said He was. I looked upon His likeness as they painted it, but it was a mere daub compared with Himself; for the King in His beauty outshines all imaginable loveliness. Surely what we have “seen” keeps pace with, no, far exceeds what we have “heard.” Let us, then, glorify and praise God for a Savior so precious and so satisfying.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) 1 Kings 10:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Jan 2022 13:06:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-28-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mission to Mardi Gras 2022</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/mission-to-mardi-gras-2022</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Call of Grace Ministries
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Come unto Me. . .I will give you rest
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Image+1-27-22+at+7.17+PM.png" alt="image of 20 20 Gospel Preaching Initiative sfoi logo"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Men of God,
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            This is your invitation to join us in proclaiming the Gospel
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            to all who attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans, LA in 2022.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There are two (2) options to participate in this mission. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ol&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
          
             Thursday February 24th - Sunday, February 27th;
            &#xD;
        &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ol&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The cost for this is
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           $175.00
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and includes lodging for 3 nights (Thurs-Sat)
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           2. Thursday, February 24 - Tuesday March 1st
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ;
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            The cost for this option is
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           $300.00
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            and includes lodging for 6 nights (Thurs-Tues).
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ol&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ol&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For more information, contact Dennis Mohr at (618) 694-8199 or the email below:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            This mission is co-coordinated by:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Dennis Mohr - Call of Grace Ministries
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:dennis@callofgrace.org"&gt;&#xD;
      
           dennis@callofgrace.org
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Joe Toy – Open Air Ministries, Inc.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:oamphilly@aol.com"&gt;&#xD;
      
           oamphilly@aol.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Mark Yoho – Fourth Watch Evangelistic Ministry
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="mailto:fourthwatchministry@gmail.com"&gt;&#xD;
      
           fourthwatchministry@gmail.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Mardi+Gras+Invitation+Banner.png" alt="image of sports outreach Mardi Gras"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/2020gospel-com"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/2020gospel-com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/md/unsplash/dms3rep/multi/photo-1585314062340-f1a5a7c9328d.jpg" length="598693" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Jan 2022 01:47:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/mission-to-mardi-gras-2022</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Image+1-27-22+at+7.17+PM.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/md/unsplash/dms3rep/multi/photo-1585314062340-f1a5a7c9328d.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-27-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-27-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-27-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Happily Waiting for My Faith to Die
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "So now, faith, hope and love abide, but the greatest of these is love." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Corinthians%2013%3A13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Corinthians 13:13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The good news is, soon my faith will die. In fact, I can’t wait. In an age of skepticism, inner conflict, materialism, relativism, consumerism—and all the other “isms” that define things today, faith seems inadequate: “You really believe a man walked on water?” “You think a guy came back from the dead and hands out eternal life? OK, yeah, uh, whatever man.” Faith, the object of such criticism, is simply confidence or trust in God’s promises. It is not unshakable certainty as the man who said, “I believe, help my unbelief (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Mark%209%3A24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark 9:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )” demonstrates. Faith is God’s gift to us, produced by the Word, that gives us confidence to say, “This is true!”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But…faith also is a challenge. In a world that values reason, science, and empiricism as the litmus test for what can be objectively known, faith seems to come up short. Faith appears to be nothing more than a wish, a naïve hope, a sort of leftover from ancient superstitious culture. So living by faith and not by sight can be really hard (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/2%20Cor.%205%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           2 Cor. 5:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Sometimes, even as a pastor, I find I can struggle with certain doubts. Pastors are often invited into other's brokenness and darkness. And after a while when you begin to see the suffering, the evil and the tragedy of the thing, how common and normal it all is you can find yourself asking, “God, where are you? Why are you allowing this?” Such questions are not without good company (hint: see 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Psalm%2010/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            &amp;amp; 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Psalm%2022/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And that’s why, because faith is challenging, I’m quite excited when the bible tells me that my faith will face a glorious, wonderful, brilliant and forever-and-ever-never-coming-back, death! My faith is going to die and this is really good news.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Crazy, you say? Bear with me. You might not know it but every Christian hopes for the day when their faith will die. Really. I promise. Faith’s death is our celebration. But I’m getting ahead of myself. This is one promise of God’s you don’t want to miss. Faith’s death is our delight.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This statement may seem shocking. But that’s only because as people of faith living in a world that challenges us constantly to apostatize we are terrified of losing our faith. That’s the one thing we don’t want. Most Christians have doubts, and that’s scary because they make us question the strength, health, and authenticity of the faith we have. Behind this anxiety is the fear that our faith may be disappearing or dying-out, or that maybe our faith isn’t real or true.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Things weren’t too different in Paul’s day. To the Corinthians he writes, (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Corinthians%201%3A18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Corinthians 1:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "For the word of the cross is folly [i.e. stupidity] to those who are perishing [don’t believe in Jesus], but to us [Christians] who are being saved it is the power of God."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So the “message of the cross”, The Gospel, the message we hold to be true by faith, doesn’t appeal to our natural preferences and inclinations. It is in fact, “folly.” And yet we are told that grace through faith saves us. Why does God choose folly? Why does he seemingly make it hard to believe?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Well, it is hard to believe. In fact, it’s impossible. But you know what the good news is? “What is impossible with man is possible with God”(
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%2018%3A27/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 18:27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).” Faith is a gift from God (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ep%202%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ep 2:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ), not of our own doing. And we know that faith is given to us through the hearing of God’s word (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom%2010%3A17/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom 10:17
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Christians who believe, believe because the Holy Spirit gifts them with the insight to see and trust the truth. This should be some comfort for doubting people. God has taken responsibility for your faith. God will, “bless and keep you”(
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Num%206%3A24/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Num 6:24
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). In the meantime though, we experience our faith as weak and threatened. Yet even the smallest and weakest faith delivers saving grace (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matt%2014%3A30/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt 14:30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That is why it’s good news that faith will die and we will not be stuck with an eternally weak lifeline. And the reason faith will die is even better news. How do I know that faith will die? Why do I know that every Christian hopes for it? Again, Paul’s letter to the Corinthians helps us see how (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Corinthians%2013%3A8-13/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Corinthians 13:8-13
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ):
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           You know the passage. It’s said at weddings all the time. But have you ever really thought about what it means? Paul says that love will never end. But then he goes on to list all the things that will:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           -Prophecies will pass away (v. 8)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           -Speaking in tongues will cease (v. 8)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           -Knowledge, that is human wisdom/theology—will pass away (v. 8)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           -These listed things are imperfect—they are “partial”—foretastes of something better (9)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           -What we see now is tainted by blurry vision, we don’t see reality clearly (v. 12)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           -But(!) one day we will see face to face and know fully v. 12)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you see it yet? Because we see with blurry vision now we need the gift of faith to help us see what our natural sight can’t. The eyes of faith are like glasses that clear up the foggy vision that reason, experience and science can’t envision But one day—yes, one glorious, majestic, wonderful, graceful, amazing day—we won’t need those glasses of faith because we will see face to face! Faith will die.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           So now (at this present time) faith, hope and love abide (are with us). But love is greater for, “love never ends.” But everything else does. It completes its purpose. Hope dies, because our hope is realized when we see face to face. And faith dies, because we don’t need faith when we see God face to face. Isn’t that amazing?! Doesn’t it make you want to sing? One day, you and I will see God face to face. Because of what Jesus has done for us, because of the Gospel, we will see God face to face. Even Moses didn’t get that privilege (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Ex%2033%3A20/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Ex 33:20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )! On that day faith will die, and hope will die, but love will remain. All because of Jesus and the “foolish” message of the cross.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the meantime—the now—take heart! Let’s run with endurance the race set before us. And lest that sound like a call to exert your own effort in faith the verse continues, “Looking to Jesus, the founder (not of ourselves) and perfector (not of ourselves) of our faith” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Hebrews%2012%3A1-2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hebrews 12:1-2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           My faith may be shaky at times, but God is with me. And Immanuel promises that one glorious day, my faith will die.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.1517.org/articles/happily-waiting-for-my-faith-to-die
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 27 Jan 2022 13:42:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-27-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-26-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-26-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-26-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Out of the Silence...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This week a friend sent me a copy of That Was The Church That Was – How the Church of England Lost the English People. Written by Andrew Brown, an English journalist, and Linda Woodhead, Professor of Politics, Philosophy and Religion at Lancaster University, England, it was published in 2016. Providing a harsh critique of the state of the Church of England over the last thirty years or so, it suggests that only a ‘Broad’ Church will slow the decline.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While my purpose here is not to review the book, I was surprised that little attention is given to the biblical and theological issues that lie at the heart of the nature and meaning of the Church of England.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With that in mind, come with me to a section of the Gospel of Luke 4 beginning at verse 16.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke, the Gospel writer wants us to feel the rhetorical impact of his narrative about Jesus. He slows down the pace of his writing through a cluster of verbs: Jesus stood up to read; there was given to him…; He opened the book and found…(4:16-17). Our sense of anticipation that something significant was about to happen, is sparked with Luke’s comment: And Jesus closed the book, and gave it to the attendant, and sat down (4:20). We are drawn into the synagogue scene and the congregation who were listening attentively to Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The reading from Isaiah chapter 61 would have touched a chord with Jesus’ hearers. It had been some four hundred years since God’s prophets had last spoken. But now Jesus is saying that Isaiah’s words are fulfilled in him. His hearers that day were positive and astonished, but then they asked, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” (4:22)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Conscious that they expected him to use his miraculous powers to authenticate his messianic claim, he responded, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘Doctor, cure yourself!’ And you will say, ‘Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.’” (4:23). Just because he had performed miracles in Capernaum didn’t mean he would do the same in Nazareth. It depended on how they received him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus continued with illustrations from Elijah (1 Kings 17:8-24) and Elisha (2 Kings 5:1-19). Both prophets spoke of God’s goodness. However, because the Jewish people at that time refused to acknowledge God, it was only outsiders (non-Jewish) who benefitted from their divinely inspired ministry – a widow in Zarephath, and Naaman the Syrian, a leper (Luke 4:25-27).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus’ listeners in the synagogue also rejected him (4:28-29). They weren’t prepared to acknowledge him as the one who fulfilled the promise of Isaiah 61. They were so angry they even tried to kill him by throwing him over a cliff. Ironically, there was a miracle that day: Jesus walked through them and away from danger (4:30).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Significantly, he didn’t give up on his mission even though he was rejected in his hometown.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The heart of the gospel of which Jesus spoke is the rule of God’s king – his kingdom. We can begin to see why the preaching of the first Christians would have rankled with the Jewish leadership as well as imperial Rome – as it often does with rulers today. The Christian gospel says that human authorities in every age are themselves not the final authority. As Deuteronomy 6:4 says: ‘There is only one God who is Lord of all’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The good news of Christianity is not simply an abstract announcement, nor is it simply care and compassion. Christianity is grounded in the recorded, historical events of Jesus’ life – from his miraculous birth through his death, resurrection and ascension.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul the Apostle summarizes the substance of the faith in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. He speaks of Jesus as the Christ: God’s anointed king. He explains that God’s king came to rescue us: he died for us. This picks up a theme in Genesis 1:28-31: God not only made us in his image but committed himself to serve our best interests.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Paul affirms that Jesus was truly dead when he was taken from the cross and buried. He also tells us Jesus was raised from the dead: God reversed the decision of human courts that sentenced Jesus to death, by raising him to life. Furthermore, he assures us that more than 500 had seen Jesus physically alive (1 Corinthians 15:6).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In other words, out of the silence God has not only spoken, but come amongst us in person. Christianity didn’t start because a group of fanatics had invented a story about their hero, or because a group of philosophers had come to the same conclusions about life. It began with eye-witnesses – very ordinary men and women who testified to the life of a man whose nature and powers were demonstrably far beyond human imagination. But such is the nature of this man, that unlike anyone else who has died, he is now alive again.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What then lies at the heart of Christianity that the Church espouses? It is the good news that God has appointed Jesus Christ as the Lord who came to rescue us and who calls on us to turn to him in repentance and faith.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Where then is the hope for the future? In church as an institution or its structures? A key to the growth of the church is all its people, clerical and lay – people who know the Lord and whose lives are being changed for the better; people who care for the needy and the lost; people whose joyful faith spills over in a way that others want to learn more.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Speaking of which have you checked out The Word One-to-One an annotated version of John’s Gospel to share with family and friends? You can find it at 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.theword121.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           www.TheWord121.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Lord Christ, eternal Word and Light of the Father’s glory: send your light and your truth so that we may both know and proclaim your word of life, to the glory of God the Father; for you now live and reign, God for all eternity. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://anglicanconnection.com/out-of-the-silence/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Jan 2022 15:41:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-26-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>01/22 - Heath Pucel - Green Bay Packers #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/01-22-heath-pucel-green-bay-packers-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;div&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Game Summary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/CCB2F870-E567-4CD5-A90F-CAA950C1C75B.jpeg" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Green Bay Packers Evangelism. Praise God! The gospel was proclaimed!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Green-Bay-Packers"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Green-Bay-Packers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Jan 2022 04:27:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/01-22-heath-pucel-green-bay-packers-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-25-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-25-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-25-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Origin of the Soul
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Students of philosophy are well aware of the watershed significance of Immanuel Kant’s epochal work, The Critique of Pure Reason. In this volume Kant gave a comprehensive critique of the traditional arguments for the existence of God, wrecking havoc on natural theology and classical apologetics. Kant ended in agnosticism with respect to God, arguing that God cannot be known either by rational deduction or by empirical investigation. He assigned God to the “noumenal world,” a realm impenetrable by reason or by sense perception.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The impact on apologetics and metaphysical speculation of Kant’s work has been keenly felt. What is often overlooked, however, even among philosophers, is the profound impact Kant's critique had on our understanding of the soul.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kant placed three concepts or entities in his noumenal realm, a realm above and beyond the phenomenal realm. The triad includes God, the self, and the thing-in-itself, or essences. If God resides in this extraphenomenal realm, then, the argument goes, we cannot know anything about Him. Our knowledge, indeed all true science, is restricted to the phenomenal realm, the world perceived by the senses. Kant argued that we cannot move to the noumenal realm by reasoning from the phenomenal realm (a point that put Kant on a collision course with the Apostle Paul).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kant’s agnosticism moved beyond theology to metaphysics. Since meta-physics is concerned with that which is above and beyond the physical, it is deemed a fool’s errand to seek knowledge of essences. The phenomenal realm is the world of existence, not of metaphysical essences or “things-in-themselves.” There may be metaphysical essences but they cannot be known by human reason. That Kant did a hatchet job on metaphysics as well as theology is clear.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Again, what is often overlooked is that the hatchet had more work to do. By assigning the self to the noumenal realm, Kant also hacked away at the concept of the human soul. This has had a devastating impact on subsequent views of anthropology. Pre-Kantian thought gave heavy weight to the importance of the human soul. Post-Kantian thought has as all but eliminated the soul from serious consideration.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The nature of the self remains a concern of psychology, but its nature is enmeshed in enigma. Descartes arrived at a knowledge of the self as a clear and distinct idea via a rigorous doubting process. He resolved to doubt everything he could possibly doubt. The one thing he couldn't doubt was that he was doubting. There was no doubt about that. For anyone to doubt that he is doubting, he must doubt to do it. Since doubting is a form of thinking and thought requires a thinker, Descartes arrived at his famous conclusion: Cogito ergo sum, “I think, therefore I am.” We notice that in this formula there is an “I,” a self, that is necessarily involved in the process.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Kant, himself, could not rid himself of the awareness of his self. He appealed, however, not to a rational deduction by which he came to a conclusion of his self; rather, he coined the idea of the “transcendental apperception of the ego.” This technical language is somewhat cumbersome but nevertheless significant. Kant saw the self not as something perceived by the senses. It is an apperception and a necessary apperception for all thought. It transcends the normal process of knowing according to Kant.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What is crucial is that some notion of the self beyond the physical is inescapable. We may argue about how we know we are selves but we cannot deny that we are selves. Descartes was correct: It takes a self to deny the self.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That the human self involves more than the body is clear to all except the most rigorous material determinists who reduce all reality to the purely physical, including thought as mind itself. They reject the Gerstnerian formula: “What is mind? No matter. What is matter? Never mind.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Classical Christian anthropology views man as a substantial dichotomy. This concept is likewise under attack in evangelical circles, not only from the side of trichotomists but also from those who see in it an unwarranted intrusion of Greek philosophy into Jewish-Christian thought. It is rejected by Murray Harris, for one, and was attacked by Philip Hughes, to mention another evangelical scholar.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In my judgment, the rejection of substantial dichotomy rests upon a fundamental error of understanding, a fatal false assumption. Harris and others attack substantial dichotomy because they hear in it a recapitulation of Greek dualism. The Greeks viewed man as a creature locked in a conflict between two opposing and irreconcilable substances, the body and the soul. To the Greek the soul is eternal and good, the body is temporal and intrinsically imperfect. For Plato the nonmaterial ideal realm is the realm of the good. The physical is at best an imperfect receptacle or copy of the ideal. Hence the view emerged in Greek philosophy that the body is the prison house of the soul. Redemption means the release of the soul from the body.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pythagoras was the source of Plato’s theory of the transmigration of the soul, an early version of reincarnation. The soul is eternal but may become entrapped in a series of incarnations during its eternal migration. Redemption occurs when the chain or series of incarnations end and the soul is free to live a bodiless existence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herein is the dualism so repugnant to Christian thought. But the problem with the Greek view is not that it has two distinct substances, body and soul, but that it views them as in total conflict with each other, because the physical is inherently evil (at least in the metaphysical sense of evil).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jewish-Christian thought, however, sees man as made up of two distinct substances that are not in conflict. Nor does the Bible view matter as being inherently evil. For the Christian, redemption is of the body, not from the body. The Christian doctrine of substantial dichotomy is not dualistic. Man is not a dualism but a duality. That is, we have a real body (material substance) and a real soul (immaterial substance). There is an analogy with the person of Christ in that He has two natures or substances, divine and human, united in one person. That He has two substances does not necessitate a dualism in His person. (Of course the human nature of Christ also includes a human body and a human soul.)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That we are made up of body and soul is indicated in the creation account: “And the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gen.%202%3A7/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gen. 2:7
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In the creation imagery man’s body is formed first. But the body without the soul remains lifeless. When God breathes the breath of life into the body, then man becomes a living soul. In this account there is no hint of an eternal or preexistent human soul. The soul is as much a creation as is the body. That the soul survives the grave is not a testimony to its indestructibility or of its intrinsic immortality. The soul as a created entity is mortal. It survives the grave only because it is sustained and preserved by the power of God. It is preserved for eternal felicity for the redeemed; it is preserved for eternal punishment for the damned.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The soul of man can live without the body; the body cannot live without the soul. Jesus exhorted His hearers: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both the soul and the body in hell” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matt.%2010%3A28/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matt. 10:28
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From biblical revelation we know we have souls. The Bible does not banish the soul to some “never-never” noumenal world of agnosticism. Not only do we have souls, but the nurture and care of our souls is a top priority for the Christian life.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/the-origin-of-the-soul
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Jan 2022 14:27:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-25-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-24-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-24-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-24-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Place of Service
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Martha was distracted with much serving.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Luke%2010:40/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Luke 10:40
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Her fault was not that she served: The condition of a servant is commendable in the Christian. “I serve” should be the motto of all the princes of the royal family of heaven. Nor was it her fault that she had “much serving.” We cannot do too much. Let us do all that we possibly can; let head and heart and hands be engaged in the Master’s service. It was no fault of hers that she was busy preparing a feast for the Master. Happy Martha, to have an opportunity of entertaining so blessed a guest; and happy, too, to have the spirit to throw her whole soul so heartily into the engagement. Her fault was that she grew “distracted with much serving,” so that she forgot Him and only remembered the service. She allowed service to override communion, and so presented one duty stained with the blood of another.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We ought to be Martha and Mary in one: We should do much service and have much communion at the same time. For this we need great grace. It is easier to serve than to commune. Joshua never grew weary in fighting with the Amalekites; but Moses, on the top of the mountain in prayer, needed two helpers to sustain his hands.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The more spiritual the exercise, the sooner we tire in it. The choicest fruits are the hardest to rear; the most heavenly graces are the most difficult to cultivate. Beloved, while we do not neglect external things, which are good enough in themselves, we ought also to see to it that we enjoy living, personal fellowship with Jesus.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           See to it that sitting at the Savior’s feet is not neglected, even though it be under the specious pretext of doing Him service. The first thing for our soul’s health, the first thing for His glory, and the first thing for our own usefulness is to keep ourselves in perpetual communion with the Lord Jesus and to see that the vital spirituality of our faith is maintained over and above everything else in the world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Jan 2022 16:19:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-24-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>01/15 - David Doerman - Cincinnati Bengals #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/01-15-david-doerman-cincinnati-bengals-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;div&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Game Summary
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;div&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;font&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Why Bengals Fans Need Gospel Proclamation
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/font&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Cincinnati+Bengals+David+Doerman+sports+outreach.jpeg" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bengals fans need the gospel. We proclaim it before almost every home game. But the game on January 15, 2022 was unique because it drew a record crowd. And many of the 66,277 souls heard the gospel. See the two minute video below.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The fan pictured in the video bristled at the gospel and the need for gospel proclamation. His challenge enabled us to give a defense for open-air gospel proclamation even as other fans were hearing the gospel. May God get the glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Two Minute Video: Why Bengals Fans Need Gospel Proclamation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelize Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We proclaim the gospel at local sporting events and at a 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://evangelizecincinnati.com/gospel-driven-abortion-ministry/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           local abortion clinic
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We do one-to-one witnessing at the bus station and at the University of Cincinnati. Check our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://evangelizecincinnati.com/evangelism-outreach-schedule/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelism Outreach Schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and join us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           If you are not from the Cincinnati area, check out 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://sfoi.org/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach International
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            for other like-minded sports fan ministries.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why Do Fans Need Gospel Proclamation? Romans 10.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Romans10-17.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Cincinnati-Bengals"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Cincinnati-Bengals
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 2022 23:33:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/01-15-david-doerman-cincinnati-bengals-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>01/04 - Jerardo Ibarra - Texas Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/01-04-jerardo-ibarra-texas-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+Texas+Bowl+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christ Jesus came into the world to save Sinners! This is a picture of stadium and my signs after the fans made it in and I finished preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 2022 23:12:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/01-04-jerardo-ibarra-texas-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>01/01 - David Robert - Allstate Sugar Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/01-01-david-robert-allstate-sugar-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+Allstate+Sugar+Bowl+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a night. Shared the gospel with Cedric the amputee who wears a cross around his neck, said that he was going to Hell because he has not repented and that he was not born again.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Shared the gospel with Malik who was listening to the open air preaching. He had some questions about salvation. As he was listening to the Law and what Jesus did did on the cross, tears were coming down his cheeks.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark came by again. He realized tonight that he was lost, trusting in his own righteousness. He too heard the gospel.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           A donation of &amp;#2;100 was given to the ministry.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Another praised what was going on, and gave much encouragement.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was a beautiful night for proclaiming Jesus Christ.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 2022 22:56:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/01-01-david-robert-allstate-sugar-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-21-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-21-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-21-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Weakness in Triumph
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And he was very thirsty, and he called upon the Lord and said, ‘You have granted this great salvation by the hand of your servant, and shall I now die of thirst . . . ?’
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Judges%2015:18/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Judges 15:18
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Samson was thirsty and ready to die. The difficulty was totally different from any that the hero had met before. Merely to get thirst quenched is nothing like so great a matter as to be delivered from a thousand Philistines! But when the thirst was upon him, Samson felt that particular difficulty to be more weighty than the great past difficulty out of which he had so specially been delivered.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is very usual for God’s people, when they have enjoyed a great deliverance, to find a little trouble too much for them. Samson slays a thousand Philistines and piles them up in heaps, and then faints for a little water! Jacob wrestles with God at Peniel and overcomes Omnipotence itself, and then goes “limping because of his hip!” 1 Strange that there must be a shrinking of the sinew whenever we win the day. As if the Lord must teach us our littleness, our nothingness, in order to keep us within bounds.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Samson boasted right loudly when he said, “I have slain a thousand men.” His boastful throat soon grew hoarse with thirst, and he betook himself to prayer. God has many ways of humbling His people.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dear child of God, if after great mercy you are laid very low, your case is not an unusual one. When David had mounted the throne of Israel, he said, “I am this day weak, though anointed king.” You must expect to feel weakest when you are enjoying your greatest triumph. If God has wrought for you great deliverances in the past, your present difficulty is only like Samson’s thirst, and the Lord will not let you faint, nor allow your enemy to triumph over you. The road of sorrow is the road to heaven, but there are wells of refreshing water all along the route. So, tested and tired pilgrim, cheer your heart with Samson’s words, and rest assured that God will deliver you before long.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           1) Genesis 32:31
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 2022 16:04:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-21-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>01/02 - Brian Ninde - Indianapolis Colts #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/01-02-brian-ninde-indianapolis-colts-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/F6681B7F-6ABB-44CB-BAB9-5203DD3301AA.jpeg" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Last Regular Season Game 1/2/22!!! Rock the Gospel! Watch this short clip from the game:
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Indianapolis-Colts" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Indianapolis-Colts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 2022 00:05:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/01-02-brian-ninde-indianapolis-colts-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>01/01 - Bill Schank - Vrbo Citrus Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/01-01-bill-schank-vrbo-citrus-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist-9fc83da8.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise The LORD, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida the Gospel was Faithfully preached for a few hour's to Thousands of the fans. Praise The LORD, also a few Gospel Tract's were handed out. To GOD Be The GLORY!!!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2022 22:26:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/01-01-bill-schank-vrbo-citrus-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-20-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-20-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-20-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How Awesome Are Your Deeds!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Imagine seeing the waters of the Red Sea part. How many of our jaws would have dropped at the sight? How many of us would have thought, "This can't be possible." But, it happened. The children of Israel stood on the shore and witnessed their God do the impossible. Truly, it would have been an awesome thing to witness. But, all the works of God are awesome, not just parting the Red Sea. God does the impossible so that we may know with certainty that it is our God who's at work for us. Pharaoh's magicians attempted to match God's works through sleight of hand and deception. And, at first, it appeared they were performing the same impossible works as Israel's God. But, they couldn't keep up. They couldn't match God's power and works. Through the Lord's power and works the children of Israel were rescued from the power of Pharaoh. It was such an awe-inspiring feat that many years later, the Psalmist reminded Israel and their neighbors that through the power and works of God, friend and foe alike must recognize the awesome works of God. The Psalmist put it this way:Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you... Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Psalm%2066%3A3%2C5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 66:3,5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )Many people will claim they believe in a god. Many recognize a higher power created the universe and everything therein. But they are willfully blind to God's power and works. God's awesome work is being done in the air they breathe, in the food that nourishes their body, and in all the works of nature. It's one thing to acknowledge that there is a god or higher power that made everything. It's another thing altogether to confess in faith that God's work is intended to lead us to redemption from the power and works of sin, death, and Satan. Through the cross of Christ Jesus, the most awesome work of God occurred. The grace and mercy of the Lord paid for the sin of the world. At Golgotha, God provided eternal life for us. Even more than the waters of the Red Sea, the cross of Jesus compels us to exclaim: "Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Psalm%2066%3A5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 66:5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )Standing before the cross in our homes, or at our church, we see in faith that Jesus is God. We witness the awesome power and work revealed in the weakness and humiliation of his public execution. We confess the awesome power and works of God for us to friend and foe alike. We recognize and acknowledge that human power can bring a man to his knees, but only God's love put on full display at Calvary can capture a person's heart. Just like the children of Israel, we cannot rescue ourselves from our Pharaoh, who is Satan. He rules over us with his rod and staff - sin and death. His "magi" deceive us with their lies and deceptions in such a way that we are enslaved and unable to free ourselves from his tyranny. Only the awesome power and works of God can rescue us from our plight. God's power and works are awesome and cannot be stifled. His grace and mercy will be heard above the growls and howls of those who deny Christ Jesus is God and Savior. Like the psalmist, say to God: “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you... Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man." (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Psalm%2066%3A3%2C5/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Psalm 66:3,5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )Our tongues proclaim and sing about the power and works of our God alone. This preachment will be heard above the shouts of those who deny that Jesus is Lord and Savior of the world. More than that, he will protect and defend us because his power and works will be made manifest in our lives through the vocations he lays upon us. The power and works of God are made known through the impossible feats he accomplishes for us, which reach their apex at Golgotha, where our Lord and Savior rescued us from sin, death, and Satan through his bloody suffering and death, and resurrection. So now we proclaim with the children of God in every generation, “How awesome are your deeds!"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.1517.org/articles/how-awesome-are-your-deeds
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2022 15:07:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-20-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-19-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-19-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-19-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Leader We Can Trust!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Catastrophic events such as we have seen over this last year, give us pause and challenge us to see life with new eyes. While Covid has dominated the news, volcanoes and earthquakes, wild-fires and devastating tornadoes have also wrought havoc. Nations have looked to their leaders to chart a course to preserve life and secure livelihoods. Leaders who worked at this won our respect.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Good and upright leaders are rare. That said, because no leader is perfect, most people – as every election shows – long for someone who will use their position to provide for the security and welfare of the nation. In a fallen world the freedom to elect leaders is important and very precious.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When we read the history of Israel in the Old Testament we learn that the prophets spoke of a special leader whom God would send. Isaiah 1 – 39 reveal God’s condemnation of his people for their self-worship and their disregard of him. Isaiah had warned of God’s judgement and in 586BC the Babylonians demolished Jerusalem and took its people captive. But Isaiah is not all negative, for he opens a window on something new and lasting that God planned to do through a very special king.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Isaiah 61 we read: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me;… Isaiah 61 continues by telling us what this Spirit-led figure will do: He has come to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; And the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn… (61:1b-2).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is not until we come to the New Testament that we see the real significance of these words.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For Luke 4:17-19 tells us that Jesus, as guest speaker in the synagogue in Nazareth, opened the scroll of the book of Isaiah at chapter 61. He read: The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me,… to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Period. Full stop.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus didn’t complete Isaiah’s words: …and the day of vengeance of our God, but went on to comment: “Today these words are being fulfilled in your midst”.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By putting a period/full stop to Isaiah’s words, Jesus reveals that there are two stages to the ‘Day of the Lord’ – the day of favor, and the day of justice. His first coming inaugurates the time of God’s favor, or mercy – the era of God’s rescue operation. His return will be the time of God’s judgment and the establishment of Jesus’ rule in all its perfection and glory. Everyone will see it and feel it.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s important that we notice how Jesus applies Isaiah’s words in his public ministry: he says he has come to the aid of the poor, the captives, the blind, and the oppressed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When did he do this? After all he didn’t provide food and clothing for all the needy around him; he didn’t release any prisoners, not even John the Baptist. Why? He has a bigger plan.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Words such as poor, blind, captive and mourn in Isaiah and the Old Testament as a whole, are often used as metaphors. The poor is often a reference to the spiritually poor, the blind, to the spiritually blind, and the captives, to those who are captive to self, sin and death. Those who mourn are aware of their own broken relationship with God as well as the brokenness of the world in its relationship with God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           That said, there were times when Jesus literally fulfilled Isaiah’s words. He did feed people who were hungry; he did give sight to some who were blind; and he did release people who were captive to the powers of evil. In each instance the miracle is a picture of God’s compassion and his ultimate purpose to provide life in all its fullness and freedom for his people. The events pointed to the beauty and perfection of the rule of God’s king.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           By reading from Isaiah 61 in the synagogue in Nazareth that day, Jesus assumed the mantle of the anointed servant-king of Isaiah’s vision. He was announcing that the final great era of God’s mercy had dawned.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yes, he introduced a tension between the is and the yet to be of God’s rule, but it is a tension we need to work with, for it is God’s plan. It’s important for us to see this for we need to live with this tension in our lives.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many around us have thrown God out of life and view political power and their own world-view as the solution to the world’s ills – of which there are many. But the reality is that the day will come when Jesus Christ will return in all his kingly glory.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Before he departed from his followers, Jesus commissioned them with the primary task of proclamation – announcing God’s good news of release to all nations. What’s more, he continues to raise up men and women to carry on this task, to give people everywhere the chance to turn to God. Isaiah tells us and Jesus repeats: ‘Now is the time of God’s favor – the era of God’s grace’. The opportunity to respond to God’s good news won’t last forever.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Now is the time to listen up and to respond. In Jesus we find the leader we long for: God’s king who will come in all might, majesty, dominion and power.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Do you believe this? Are you prepared? And are you keen to help others to be ready for the Advent, the return of the King? It’s a key reason we are encouraging everyone to check out The Word One-to-One an annotated version of John’s Gospel to share with family and friends. You can find it at 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://www.theword121.com/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           www.TheWord121.com
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A prayer. Almighty God, we thank you for the gift of your holy word. May it be a lantern to our feet, a light to our paths, and strength to our lives. Take us and use us to love and serve all people in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://anglicanconnection.com/the-leader-we-can-trust/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional to your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2022 15:03:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-19-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-18-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-18-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-18-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Principles and Situations
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Every so often, I run across a news story that’s emblematic of our times. Recently, I read of a case wherein a woman contracted with a man to be a surrogate mother. The man agreed to pay her to bear the children, who were conceived by in vitro fertilization using the man's sperm and eggs donated from another woman. Triplets were conceived, but the man wants to abort one of them, and the contract he signed gives him the legal right to do so. The woman does not want to abort the child, so she has sued to prevent it and has offered to raise the unwanted child herself. But the man does not want that, and now thinks it would be better to put the child up for adoption himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The commodification of children, the nonchalant manner in which the man wants to get rid of one of the babies, and other issues raised by this case send chills down one’s spine. Here we see the logical results of what happens when human beings have no fixed, objective standard of right and wrong.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Modern science and technology have introduced questions that the church has never had to deal with before. When it comes to many biomedical issues, we don’t have the advantage of two thousand years of careful research, debate, and insight into complex and weighty problems. The availability of life-support systems, cloning, in vitro fertilization, and other technologies have introduced new dilemmas and pose new ethical questions.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s not that we don’t have basic principles to apply to these issues, for Scripture does provide them. The difficulty lies in applying these principles to new situations we’ve never faced before. And we aren’t facing abstract theoretical questions but life-or-death questions that must be answered in concrete instances. Pastors, for example, are often called to help determine when to extend and when to end life support for a patient.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Without clear, normative principles, we’re left rudderless in these situations. Our decisions apply principles in specific situations, but the situations cannot dictate the decisions. And we can’t decide to make no decision. To make no decision is to make a decision.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We need principles that are absolute and normative; otherwise, the decisions we make will be arbitrary, and we’ll have no basis for distinguishing right decisions from wrong decisions. Our human-enacted laws can be helpful, but they can never provide absolute norms. This is particularly clear in societies where the laws are enacted according to popular will. We will find conflict and contradiction between the laws of one society wherein laws are made by an elected body and the laws of another society that makes laws in a similar way. In the United States, abortion is legal. In Chile, abortion is illegal. Does this mean that it is ethically right to abort American babies but wrong to abort Chilean babies? Was it ethically wrong to have an abortion before Roe v. Wade but ethically proper after Roe v. Wade? The answer is yes if popularly enacted laws and court decisions are the absolute norm.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Only the character of God as revealed in His law provides us with absolute norms for ethical issues. It gives us fixed principles to apply in specific situations. God’s law is both situational and non-situational. It’s situational because it must always be applied in specific situations, but it’s non-situational because the situation itself never dictates the good. The unchanging principle from the law determines the good.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In popular culture, we see a definition of right and wrong that says we must do what love requires in any situation. Why not let two men or two women get married? we are asked. After all, they love each other. How is it loving to bring a child into a situation of poverty? we are often asked in the abortion debate.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On the one hand, it’s correct that we must always do what love requires. Love is the linchpin of God’s law, the very fulfillment of the commandments (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Rom.%2013%3A10/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rom. 13:10
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). But love isn’t a vacuous feeling; it’s something objective. Love is defined by God Himself, for Scripture tells us that “God is love” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20John%204%3A8/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 John 4:8
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And the God who is love has given us a law that defines and applies what love looks like in concrete situations. For instance, Paul lays out the principle that we must “walk in love,” but then he immediately tells us that “sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Eph.%205%3A2%E2%80%933/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Eph. 5:2–3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). God defines love as being the rejection of sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness. Anything that includes such things cannot be love even if the designation of love is claimed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In most ethical decisions, we must apply more than one principle. This requires wisdom, but we won’t be prepared to balance these principles unless we know them. That’s why we must continue to study the law and the principles revealed therein, principles that are not subject to the shifting sands of relativism. At the final judgment, we will have to answer for what we have done with this law, for we are the creatures and God is the Creator. He has the absolute right to demand from His creatures what He defines as right. The will of the creature must submit itself to the will of the Creator, and if we don’t bow to His lordship, we will be judged accordingly.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God’s law is the absolute, objective norm that is to govern the behavior of all people. It’s not a norm hidden from us, but it has been revealed. So, we have the responsibility to know and do what righteousness requires.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/principles-and-situations
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the Daily Devotional on your phone
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Text DAILYDEVOTIONAL to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2022 15:01:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-18-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>01/02 - David Doerman - Cincinnati Bengals #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/01-02-david-doerman-cincinnati-bengals-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
         &#xD;
  &lt;div&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bengals Fans: What if you Die in 2022?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/bengals+1-2-22-6a1dae09.jpg" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           On January 2, 2022 Bengals Fans heard the gospel. Bengals Fans: What if you Die in 2022? See the two minute video below. Every week we proclaim the simple gospel message to Bengal’s fans. We focus on the law and the gospel. Please pray that God’s word would not return void but would accomplish the purpose for which it is sent.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isaiah 55:10-11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Isaiah5510-111.png" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h2&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Evangelize Cincinnati
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h2&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We proclaim the gospel at sporting events and the local abortion clinic. Check our 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://evangelizecincinnati.com/evangelism-outreach-schedule/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           outreach schedule
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and join us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But if you are not from the Cincinnati area, check 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="http://sfoi.org/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach International 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           for a like-minded ministry in your area.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Cincinnati-Bengals"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Cincinnati-Bengals
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2022 05:02:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/01-02-david-doerman-cincinnati-bengals-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>01/02 - John Coble - Tennessee Titans #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/01-02-john-coble-tennessee-titans-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/2C5C6BA2-06F4-4922-8877-D2FBA5671B1B.jpeg" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Why preach the Law of God? Romans 3:19, 20
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch this short clip:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Tennessee-Titans"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Tennessee-Titans
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2022 04:24:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/01-02-john-coble-tennessee-titans-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>01/02 - David Robert - New Orleans Saints #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/01-02-david-robert-new-orleans-saints-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/3787D176-5453-44DF-9AB8-DEF935A4959E.jpeg" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Another profitable day. The rain stopped, the cold wind blew, and Jesse and Alfred came by and heard the gospel. After parking his bicycle, Jesse listened to the open air preaching and then came over to talk about Jesus. Alfred came over to receive a bible and to hear about salvation. The police officer directing traffic came over to say that he was listening to the preaching. Over 30 bibles and 30 gospel tracts were distributed. To God be the glory. David
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/New-Orleans-Saints"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/New-Orleans-Saints
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2022 04:00:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/01-02-david-robert-new-orleans-saints-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>01/01 - Matthew Redondo - PlayStation Fiesta Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/01-01-matthew-redondo-playstation-fiesta-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+Matthew+Redondo+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pray for us as we outreach to thousands at Notre Dame vs Oklahoma State football game. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/matthew.redondo?__cft__[0]=AZWFCc5rOhjxNk969FwmN9D6L9suJnMYbaHdX9D6jFtmcWHsVud7EmFrETn5zAvET91kbx2cHxwxZx7ZLDH8A3RQYjoKIKqZH2IiUMWVATirvlQMy0BoKqrnpiAos4CLp10ckUFlwEP1u_zK48vFmXX2WAff2vxRj_PLeNNcMg0WXw&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew Redondo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2022 00:48:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/01-01-matthew-redondo-playstation-fiesta-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>01/01 -Bill Adams - Outback Bowl  #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/01-01-bill-adams-outback-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist-936f3e98.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great way to start the New Year - Preaching at the Raymond James Stadium for the Outback Bowl!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2022 00:06:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/01-01-bill-adams-outback-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/31 -Bill Adams - Capital One Orange Bowl  #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-31-bill-adams-capital-one-orange-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist-a4a41989.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise the Lord for Caeden proclaiming the gospel at the Hard Rock Stadium for the Orange Bowl!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Jan 2022 23:53:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-31-bill-adams-capital-one-orange-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/31 - Joe Hinson - Cotton Bowl- Playoff Semi-Final #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-31-joe-hinson-cotton-bowl-playoff-semi-final-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist+%281%29-f9b30b8e.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Pat Rauh and Joe preaching at the Cottonbowl classic at AT&amp;amp;T stadium in Arlington TX. A good outreach. Thousands of people walking by as we proclaimed the Gospel. With the help of my son we passed out hundreds of tracts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Jan 2022 23:39:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-31-joe-hinson-cotton-bowl-playoff-semi-final-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/31 - Bill Adams - TaxSlayer Gator Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-31-bill-adams-taxslayer-gator-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist-05ed0465.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preaching the gospel of Jesus with 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/Holden1080?__cft__[0]=AZUb09KXd4DpcfPj5xbIFGoIKXBNWAFu9AQiVKiSeiv2A7oLU5RmN0J9m-USIt2VrBPVSO4IQGYxX6rYEoJq0-2WIqoM7pL9v5zvjWnWUwzMqFnl9QEJpyk00GLWHsJectU&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Holden Spencer
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Gospel means "Good news."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Jan 2022 23:23:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-31-bill-adams-taxslayer-gator-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/30 - Bobby McCreery - Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-30-bobby-mccreery-chick-fil-a-peach-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist-05c57549.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/271112323_10221330437918589_8152930794284618306_n-c5cf4dc8.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Great joy to be with these men at the Peach Bowl. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Peach Bowl evangelism.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/270206252_10221330736686058_6076711633853151039_n-6c01d813.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark Yoho preaching, Scott Phillips and Alex Burt tracting.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Scott Phillips preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Mark Yoho preaching.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Jan 2022 23:15:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-30-bobby-mccreery-chick-fil-a-peach-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/30 - Ken White &amp; Tim Hanley - Dukes Mayo Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-30-ken-white-tim-hanley-dukes-mayo-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist-29c5761a.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           GLORY BE TO OUR GOD!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a great blessing it was to labor with dear old friends and Brothers in Christ, and new ones! Tim and I were so very thankful that there were ten of God’s laborers out at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, NC today! Praise the LORD! Eric Garner preached the Gospel in the open air for the first time!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           May the Lamb of God be High and Lifted up! We believe that He was, and it is our hope that it pleases the LORD to save many out of the crowd!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO JOINED US IN LABORING THE GOSPEL AND THOSE WHO JOINED US IN LABORED IN PRAYED!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Jan 2022 04:35:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-30-ken-white-tim-hanley-dukes-mayo-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/29 - Bill Adams - Cheez-It Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-29-bill-adams-cheez-it-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist-25c38f9b.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Jan 2022 01:43:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-29-bill-adams-cheez-it-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/28 - Diego Sandoval - Guaranteed Rate Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-28-diego-sandoval-guaranteed-rate-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist-3b3777cf.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preparing to preach the gospel at Chase Field. Won’t you join us? 6pm - 8pm. We have 300 gospels Mark/John to distribute. Will be at West entrance of stadium. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/matthew.redondo?__cft__[0]=AZX2kUSMOz6L3jiBwSDlAG42swBqHA8UkWKJ9xzpl2uW2FT-6EohQZJfdMgMDTR_VAR3csYwopOk_Aho0UjRmZnUqKepjxCFrT0gMAlA6lslW8ydmXuGc1WwgYGfRVvliNb50pNmvKNz83l0Agqj9Bmz&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew Redondo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sportsfanoutreach?__cft__[0]=AZX2kUSMOz6L3jiBwSDlAG42swBqHA8UkWKJ9xzpl2uW2FT-6EohQZJfdMgMDTR_VAR3csYwopOk_Aho0UjRmZnUqKepjxCFrT0gMAlA6lslW8ydmXuGc1WwgYGfRVvliNb50pNmvKNz83l0Agqj9Bmz&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+270137271_4634335669965141_138304913510662052_n-d9231ed3.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Blessed to be able to share the message of Salvation at Chase Field. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/matthew.redondo?__cft__[0]=AZV6Vs2HZVDXvV4BejOVWiwbhoDZFZnwLd-apzyC3ay4RLD97iRpIBTnd9xxk2Xeozlb5X4-NpDNm2Teul8aw80Wa58JEg0aUinh9ye2ucJZ_-djkUlnK5sTLTNIhWgDO8KlGy6SVQ9GFAc86QoWMBx_&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew Redondo
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Jan 2022 01:18:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-28-diego-sandoval-guaranteed-rate-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>01/10/22 - Bill Adams - College Football Playoff National Championship Game #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/01-10-22-bill-adams-college-football-playoff-national-championship-game-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist-5f5d7ef7.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise the Lord for a fruitful weekend in Indianapolis last Saturday - Monday for the College Football Championship. Five of us labored for 8 hours each day amongst thousands of fans and local citizens. Below is the team. Left to right:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Me; Jacob Nelson from Peoria, IL; Heath Pucel from Green Bay, WI; Greg Fischer from Denmark, WI; Brad Madewell from Chattanooga, TN.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/College+Football+Bowl+Game.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brad and Jacob and I met within two weeks before the event. Brad in faith asked off for two days so he could go and the Lord granted Brad the two days. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brad is brand new to preaching and Jacob is relatively new. They plus Heath and Greg two ministry veterans worked very well together. Brad and I had a chance to talk on the 6 1/2 hour ride to Indy and another 6 1/2 home about his testimony and what he believed the Lord is doing in his life. The fellowship is the gift of these trips.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            View all pictures here: 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzyuc9" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           CFC'22 Photos
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           View all Videos Here:   
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKxt8o5UX-bxxG5brzBrvlgbxlaMvTeNl" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           CFC'22 Videos
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For three days we were primarily ministering in front of the Indiana Convention Center for 8 hours daily. Beginning at 10:30 AM Saturday and Sunday and 11:00 Monday. The Convention attracted fans because they hosted the exhibit for fans called:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RD2CeDLe6eCKr6EAZRTxEGGn5jyksnCu85e7Fb3-rP7iyCE9SEE59aIjZjJlDq5oqvXrrwjFchWfqKfx9WWyAym7AqQex4iJMoHJXfMDtrd-UzjOA3LwZShdLu-PxLvOdd0qPZhwCMCbybGsuXCs_Wos6w47g-5ls57gYV_m5SFaoujCrFRuufXjaeEkHHttPCWIN0UxHxY=&amp;amp;c=0GMDNY79q0CuPPECjAZX2o9QJoBdaguIhtMVF7eJsuFxx-trNPDIWA==&amp;amp;ch=9gr2hse9nmtWs5nwo8hEixAvAEGVo43lA6zr0HEVg8ooXEuZtuR_vQ==" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Playoff Fan Central
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           . Fans could attend whether they attended the game or not. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The picture below on the left is the view from the front of the ICC towards Georgia Street where fans would cross the road to come to the fan fest in the ICC. The picture on the right shows the front of the ICC. The team is to the left of the picture.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Georgia Street which deadends into the Indiana Convention Center was also home to an all weekend street party. It hosted bands, vendors, large screen TVs and other items for the fans to do outside. You can see a local report here: 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RD2CeDLe6eCKr6EAZRTxEGGn5jyksnCu85e7Fb3-rP7iyCE9SEE59aIjZjJlDq5o75PMLpmnAV_kW7ymIv3Qmc9kssg54_Q1R2Ygu0cuklARWIBn-bU3PWyGbRUjZ8qsLXqErtdiMHDyLFe2ys-esLB4Jvoutf28REAxTIzcKq5VPR-XCn0_gBB0HHVJrdxh4GwsMEQoyd-vC6uXtkpxy_xlETF71zeqC3cfwpny_mkyxBedcu5oDIHEfuVhK-bSimYYyXmSZP5ecoxbpOahs9l_ZR7XjSP5&amp;amp;c=0GMDNY79q0CuPPECjAZX2o9QJoBdaguIhtMVF7eJsuFxx-trNPDIWA==&amp;amp;ch=9gr2hse9nmtWs5nwo8hEixAvAEGVo43lA6zr0HEVg8ooXEuZtuR_vQ==" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Georgia Street.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            The two videos below show Georgia Street and ministry in front of the ICC.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Saturday and Sunday 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001RD2CeDLe6eCKr6EAZRTxEGGn5jyksnCu85e7Fb3-rP7iyCE9SEE59aIjZjJlDq5o1s29EXx2CeKWS2gdd5a6A9oO0lXfrhLMEs6wxynfRpfh0CA_2LpGZyPi2rrNFW3Zxl4xLDf08Qdn-1RJaiZP90ECe6U6RcV6KrSvdtncj3b41MoWJz3-8LkVjFVkhLcDYIEWIjHOmh4=&amp;amp;c=0GMDNY79q0CuPPECjAZX2o9QJoBdaguIhtMVF7eJsuFxx-trNPDIWA==&amp;amp;ch=9gr2hse9nmtWs5nwo8hEixAvAEGVo43lA6zr0HEVg8ooXEuZtuR_vQ==" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Monument Circle
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            hosted concerts beginning at 5:00 PM and on gameday Monday it was home to an official tailgate party from Noon - 5:00 PM. Below are two videos showing the crowds and entrance for the concerts.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Game Day at Lucas Oil Stadium required locating at 5:00 PM Monday to the intersection of S. Capital Avenue and W. South Street in front of the stadium. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The crowds from the Indiana Convention Center, Georgia Street and the rest of downtown Indy flock by this intersection into the stadium. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           This location is one of the best locations in the US to preach. These two videos show the area and Jacob preaching at the location.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I wish you could be with us one time to experience the joy of the ministry and fellowship. Maybe there is a way to capture it on video and we can do that but the point here is that your partnership provides a priceless gift to all the evangelists and then as a bonus to the souls who hear the Gospel, are ministered to in the moment and referred to a Bible teaching church or ministry for discipleship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It's true that you are storing up much treasure in heaven!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Grace, mercy &amp;amp; peace,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Rev. Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 18 Jan 2022 23:59:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/01-10-22-bill-adams-college-football-playoff-national-championship-game-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/27 - Joshua Richards  - Quick Lane Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-27-joshua-richards-quick-lane-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist-23d995e4.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Praise report! 300 miles and over 5 hours of driving later, 381 positive responses at the SFOI Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit, MI made it all worth it. 100% chance of rain was prayed away, and stayed dry and warm the entire length of ministry. One highlight was a fan had his selfie stick out while I was singing Christmas carols, and filmed me afterwards giving me $2. All glory to God! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZULS5_wETry46LieoAWktq37RUV9R6_b06DvzK2cb0CUXGXUkjpgn-OeVo7nmnZpvvwiGZq2HJP4trf23FtNpsU-ZM6PPeW-Xi3e7A6h_VwojLxdJfWq8GPDnqIKJJCP7U&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Jan 2022 23:37:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-27-joshua-richards-quick-lane-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/27 - David Robert - New Orleans Saints #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-27-david-robert-new-orleans-saints-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Evangelist-f97e7237.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Preached about Lawlessness. Pray for people who hear the message that they may receive the gospel and be saved from their sins before it is too late.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/New-Orleans-Saints"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/New-Orleans-Saints
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Jan 2022 23:30:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-27-david-robert-new-orleans-saints-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/26 - Joe Hinson - Dallas Cowboys #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-26-joe-hinson-dallas-cowboys-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Evangelist-78dafbf4.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Cowboy's home game outreach...
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZVoVEhgzC1KROauBNHcFWpGEtBOvXyLZoizXMqxSC9ykNMm0iN22UOc5HBbUQnSxACj5HJL0E_mrxqXtXmCiC2AXoNFx1wqB9Gt0d0oCO9hrowB7UPO02GhiOV8_D8P6coCycdKRfNnpEd6Rtma2Bc0-LinWYqlzsXAH_zRar_ypw&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sportsfanoutreach?__cft__[0]=AZVoVEhgzC1KROauBNHcFWpGEtBOvXyLZoizXMqxSC9ykNMm0iN22UOc5HBbUQnSxACj5HJL0E_mrxqXtXmCiC2AXoNFx1wqB9Gt0d0oCO9hrowB7UPO02GhiOV8_D8P6coCycdKRfNnpEd6Rtma2Bc0-LinWYqlzsXAH_zRar_ypw&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Adams
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/sfoi.org/?__cft__[0]=AZVoVEhgzC1KROauBNHcFWpGEtBOvXyLZoizXMqxSC9ykNMm0iN22UOc5HBbUQnSxACj5HJL0E_mrxqXtXmCiC2AXoNFx1wqB9Gt0d0oCO9hrowB7UPO02GhiOV8_D8P6coCycdKRfNnpEd6Rtma2Bc0-LinWYqlzsXAH_zRar_ypw&amp;amp;__tn__=kK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Sports Fan Outreach #sfoi
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch this short clip:
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Dallas-Cowboys"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Dallas-Cowboys
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Jan 2022 23:25:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-26-joe-hinson-dallas-cowboys-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/25 - David Day - Camellia Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-25-david-day-camellia-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist+%281%29-6b7538ef.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord is kind to unexpectedly send brother Scott and his wife Clarissa over from Auburn today to labor at my mission field. Very thankful for these two.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           One conversation given was with a member of the 1980's Green Bay football team Maurice Harvey. He spoke to me well over half and hour and the truth of scripture rang true, "Sin when finished brings death."
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for him.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He reminded me that after witnessing to so many over the years from all walks of life, no man seeks for God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/yourmissionfield?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXZBUNHjYH7Y-i23dB9GBwPauLT6nYeDYU10PAUPJQh0OX3rEEat8IL8ZqN04KnkTfg_yx1qoiOJbGnl5mFpeqn36lC8L3e3CDgFbgg0WAmVUrXp_Z9tQKLz1lp_5qabMECuwSV1_U1aHLZn66jot3S&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #YourMissionField
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/camelliabowl?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXZBUNHjYH7Y-i23dB9GBwPauLT6nYeDYU10PAUPJQh0OX3rEEat8IL8ZqN04KnkTfg_yx1qoiOJbGnl5mFpeqn36lC8L3e3CDgFbgg0WAmVUrXp_Z9tQKLz1lp_5qabMECuwSV1_U1aHLZn66jot3S&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #CamelliaBowl
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXZBUNHjYH7Y-i23dB9GBwPauLT6nYeDYU10PAUPJQh0OX3rEEat8IL8ZqN04KnkTfg_yx1qoiOJbGnl5mFpeqn36lC8L3e3CDgFbgg0WAmVUrXp_Z9tQKLz1lp_5qabMECuwSV1_U1aHLZn66jot3S&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #SFOI1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Jan 2022 23:20:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-25-david-day-camellia-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/25 - Heath Pucel - Green Bay Packers #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-25-heath-pucel-green-bay-packers-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Evangelist+Heath+Pucel-373ae62d.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel Preaching announcing the Greatest gift needed but not wanted.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           What a blessed opportunity to preach the Christmas day Packer game. With many of the team with family and friends celebrating Christmas. I had a conviction to preach no matter what. With the setting perfectly handed to us a Packer game on Christmas. Singing hymns and preaching on the birth of our Savior and coming again as the conquering King. Many fans were respectful and continued to greet me with “Merry Christmas.” There was one fan who was dressed like Jesus with a Happy Birthday sash over his shoulder and many fans told me Jesus was here. He stopped and I asked what he was doing and he said spreading the good news and I asked him if this is what Jesus looked like and then challenged him that it would be better to share the Gospel rather than walk around dressed like blasphemously; He agreed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           I had been preaching for a while and I noticed a gentlemen drop a backpack off to the side of me and then open it up and start to take out tracts. It happened to be Dave, a good friend of another brothers who said he had no plans for Christmas and decided to some out and pass out tracts. Many fans took the tracts and we pray the Holy Spirit would convict them of Sin righteous and judgement.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Green-Bay-Packers"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Green-Bay-Packers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Jan 2022 23:16:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-25-heath-pucel-green-bay-packers-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/30 - Ben Grady - TransPerfect Music City Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-30-ben-grady-transperfect-music-city-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist+%281%29-7502c4fa.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Music City Bowl Outreach was a blessed opportunity to hand out tracts and preach. A wonderful thing that happened was that my whole friend's family came out: the parent's, 4/5 children, and two of the children's significant others. It was a blessing to have that family come out. We also had two other brothers come out: Terry Cohea and my friend Ikechukwu Umoga. We passed out a few hundred tracts at least and Terry and I took turns preaching. My amp ran out of battery life right before we headed out, so I ended up preaching for a few minutes unamplified. What's interesting is that it seemed like many more people turned their head toward the preaching when it was not amplified.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Jan 2022 17:20:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-30-ben-grady-transperfect-music-city-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 1-17-22</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-17-22</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 1-17-22
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Beware of Temptation
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house . . .
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/2%20Samuel%2011:2/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            2 Samuel 11:2
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At that hour David saw Bathsheba. We are never out of the reach of temptation. Both at home and away we are liable to meet with allurements to evil. The morning opens with peril, and the shades of evening find us still in jeopardy. They are well kept whom God keeps, but woe to those who go out into the world, or even dare to walk their own house unarmed. Those who think themselves secure are more exposed to danger than any others. The armor-bearer of Sin is Self-confidence.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           David should have been engaged in fighting the Lord’s battles, instead of which he rested in Jerusalem, giving himself up to luxurious repose, for he arose from his bed at eventide. Idleness and luxury are the devil’s jackals and find him abundant prey. In stagnant waters noxious creatures swarm, and neglected soil soon yields a dense tangle of weeds and briars.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Oh, for the constraining love of Jesus to keep us active and useful! When I see the King of Israel sluggishly leaving his couch at the close of the day and falling at once into temptation, let me take warning and set holy watchfulness to guard the door.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is it possible that the king had mounted his housetop for retirement and devotion? If so, what a caution is given us to count no place, however secret, a sanctuary from sin! While our hearts are so like a tinderbox, and sparks so plentiful, we need to use all diligence in all places to prevent a blaze. Satan can climb housetops and enter closets, and even if we could shut out that foul fiend, our own corruptions are enough to work our ruin unless grace prevents it. Reader, beware of evening temptations. Be not secure. The sun is down, but sin is up. We need a watchman for the night as well as a guardian for the day. O blessed Spirit, keep us from all evil this night. Amen.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To receive the 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.no-other-name.org/DailyDevotionals" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotiona
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           l on your phone,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           text 'DAILYDEVOTIONAL' to 53445
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Jan 2022 16:35:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-1-17-22</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/23 - John Coble - Tennessee Titans #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-23-john-coble-tennessee-titans-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/269910574_10159863622931774_1693565401620884373_n-79e5360b.jpeg" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jesus paid your sin debt. Jesus is the best gift ever!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/Tennessee-Titans"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/Tennessee-Titans
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sat, 01 Jan 2022 20:32:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-23-john-coble-tennessee-titans-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-30-21</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-30-21</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-30-21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christmas and the Theology of Gift
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A theology of gift is an appropriate reflection for the season of Christmas. It presents us with insights about the giving nature of God. Gift giving is self-giving. A theology of gift, then, helps to tell the story of the Son and Spirit as the Father’s gifts to the world.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           There is a trinitarian theology of gift in the same way there is a trinitarian theology of communication. It is what theologians call a “first theology” — something basic to understanding God himself and the phenomena of creation and redemption.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Giver. The Gift. The Given. the Perfect Giver (God the Father) gave the perfect gift (God the Son), through the perfect means (conceived of the God the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary). The perfect One comes as perfection through perfection.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Giver is God the Father. But what motivated the Father to give his only begotten Son? St. John’s Gospel tells us: love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The word love is used 53 times in John’s first epistle. In fact, it is used more by John than any other writer in the Bible. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.1517.org/contributors/brian-william-thomas" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Brian Thomas notes
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            the word here is not eros, but agape. So when we read of God’s love or the command to love one another, the reference is not to sentimental, sensual, or a social love. These forms of love have their place, but that’s not the focus here. Instead, agape is held up as a supreme divine attribute. Love turns out to be not simply a thing or action, but a characteristic of God himself. “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (v.8). Basic to a knowledge of God is that he gives out of fatherly love.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But that leads us to ask, What exactly did he give? Is his great gift revealed to us in the Bible salvation? Is it eternal life? Is it peace? The answer to this question is the driving point of the entire Bible. Following the high treason of 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%203/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 3
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , the story surprisingly continues and it continues because the Father, out of his great love, originally intended to give something to the apex of his creation — human beings. And this loving Father would not be denied in his desire to give a supreme gift to the supreme act of his creation. And so the story continues out of necessity because the Father will prevail in his love expressed through his great gift-giving.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It is here that a theology of gift enters. The Father is the Giver. What he gives is nothing other than himself. The Bible’s theology of gift-giving is about giving from yourself, actually giving yourself through your gift; where the gift is an extension of yourself and the embodiment of yourself. It says, “I give this to you. Receive this gift from me as if I were giving me to you in and through this gift.” The gift that one gives is a placeholder for the giver. A shortcut for our understanding of the theology of gift might be this: “Receive me in this: this gift is me.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The God’s gift of giving God, then, encompasses every dimension of how we usually understand and interpret gift-giving. This may be best illustrated through a quick look at the five ways in which we normally engage in gift-giving.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ol&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            There is intentional or promissory gift-giving. Giving the gift of an engagement ring is a good example. There is an intention, bound up with promise and hope, in the relationship between the Proposer and the Proposee that is expressed in the giving of an engagement ring. It has the power to change the status and standing of the individuals involved by what lies ahead because this kind of giving involves every dimension of the giver. How much more so in the giving of a wedding band? That’s the idea: there’s something intentional and promissory in this kind of gift-giving bound up with the future and the perpetuity of self-giving to another.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            There is physical or corporeal gift-giving. Food exemplifies this kind of gift-giving as a form of self-giving — something that physically and corporeally encases the preparer of foods in the meal in which you receive them. They have touched and intimately handled something that is put inside of you, something meant to give you delight, as well as nourishment and, so, life. This form of gift-giving requires time, consideration, and sacrifice, and bespeaks of bonding and intimacy with the gift-giver through ingesting (as it were) them through their food.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Third, there is heartfelt and vulnerable gift-giving. Here the idea of monetary value is diminished as unimportant. Great givers may be so despite poverty. Such giving is vulnerable because the items may not be of economic value and yet are invaluable because through them the giver externalizes their heart. The gifts themselves, as they stood in and of themselves, could be easily despised and dismissed as “cheap.” However, because this person gives them, and in the vulnerable manner in which they give, the gift is priceless. Jesus recognizes this kind of gift-giving when the poor widow adds mere pennies to the temple treasury, and was praised for giving more than all others because she gave from her penury with a heartfelt and vulnerable gift.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Fourth, there is penultimate gift-giving
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            . 
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Two things come to mind: giving blood or an organ, e.g., a living donor giving a kidney. That kind of giving is extraordinary and life-altering because it is bound-up with the giving of life.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            Penultimate gifts are eclipsed only by ultimate gift-giving done through the giving of one’s life and one’s body. This ultimate kind of gift-giving is of two sorts: the sacrificial kind, such that occurs in heroic acts in war and rescue; and the matrimonial kind, where one gives oneself totally in the life-making matrimonial act and risks all through the life-threatening delivery of childbirth. It is because of ultimate self-giving that we, as a society, and indeed all societies so highly venerate and esteem war heroes and mothers.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ol&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The kind of gift that rolls these five kinds of gifts into one would have to be the perfect gift in which nothing is lacking. It would be the greatest possible gift. And the greatest, perfect gift God the Father could give is himself in and through the Son. For the Father, as Jesus said in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Matthew%205/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Matthew 5
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           , is perfect: “be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” And as the Father is, so is the Son. This is borne out by Jesus’ own self-disclosing statements about himself in relation to the Father: “He who has seen me has seen the Father”; “the words that I speak are not my own by the Father’s”; “the works that I do are not my own but the Father’s”; indeed Jesus says, “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” St. Paul bears out this truth when he says that in Jesus the Son we have “the image of the invisible God” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Col.%201%3A15/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 1:15
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Thus, giving the gift of the Son is the greatest act of self-giving possible by the Father.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Divine self-giving is the only thing that encompasses the totality of such multi-dimensional gift-giving. Divine self-giving is in fact what the divine economy of redemption is all about. In fact, it is the biblical story in a nutshell, bringing to mind the promise made to Abram in 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Genesis%2015%3A1/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Genesis 15:1
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            where God says, “I will be your exceedingly great reward” (my translation).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But this is where we might think that perhaps the greatest gift God could give is salvation or righteousness or peace or holiness or eternal life or resurrection or truth, indeed, the gift of justification itself. And here is where many think about these wonderful gifts of God as if they were distinct and particulate things, as if they were things invented or created ex nihilo by God, as if God had a shelf full of canisters labeled “Grace,” “Righteousness,” Holiness,” “Peace,” “Eternal Life,” and the like. But they are not created things (gratia creata); they are uncreated (gratia increata). They are of God as God is in himself. The love of God or the holiness of God is not something created by God but rather attributes of God himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All of these things, then, are really nothing other than the Son of God, embodied in the Messiah, Jesus the Christ. Christ is our salvation (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Luke%202%3A30/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke 2:30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Christ is our righteousness (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Jeremiah%2023%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Jeremiah 23:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Christ is our peace (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2014%3A27/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 14:27
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Christ is the resurrection (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2011%3A25/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 11:25
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Christ is the eternal life (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%2014%3A6/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 14:6
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). Christ is our justification and sanctification (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/1%20Cor.%201%3A30/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Cor. 1:30
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For the Father to give us Christ the Son is to give us the greatest, perfect gift conceivable.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           And so we have come full circle. Jesus Christ is the living embodiment of the multi-dimensional giving of the Father.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;ol&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            There is Intentional or Promissory gift-giving. Covenant in his blood. The Bridegroom pledged to his Bride the Church.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            There is physical or corporeal gift-giving. In the Lord’s Supper, Jesus Christ is physically and corporeally present, giving himself to you in this supreme gift. Through Holy Communion you are intimately touched and handled by the One who enters inside you.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            There is heartfelt and vulnerable gift-giving
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            .
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
             Incarnation. This looks weak and cheap but is exceedingly valuable, comes with great risk and profound humility, and condescension on the part of God.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            There is penultimate gift-giving. The giving blood that is bound-up with the giving of life.
            &#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
        &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;li&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            And there is the ultimate gift-giving: Christ’s life and body, meeting both sorts: the sacrificial kind, such that occurs in heroic acts in war and rescue; and the matrimonial kind, where one gives oneself totally in the life-making matrimonial act and risks all through the life-threatening delivery of childbirth.
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/li&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/ol&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           A right understanding of the theology of gift cannot but lead us to contentment with the Father’s loving gift of the Son, who is for us the all-in-all (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Col.%203%3A11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Col. 3:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ). And so the message of Christmas and all gift-giving may be encapsulated in John’s summary of God’s perfect gift that brings joy to the world: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/John%203%3A16/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           John 3:16
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.1517.org/articles/christmas-and-the-theology-of-gift
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 31 Dec 2021 17:33:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-30-21</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/23 - Bill Adams - Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-23-bill-adams-union-home-mortgage-gasparilla-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist+%281%29-f50282f8.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gasparilla Bowl-a couple of crowd views and intersection pictures. Great night of Gospel preaching! Saw an old ticket seller friend and lots of affirming responses. Christ was exalted so He would draw all men to Himself and the Father glorified thank you Holy Spirit to bring to remembrance what needed to be said.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 30 Dec 2021 08:14:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-23-bill-adams-union-home-mortgage-gasparilla-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/29 -Jeremy Chong - New Era Pinstripe Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-29-jeremy-chong-new-era-pinstripe-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist+%281%29-f7af424a.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Watch and listen as Jeremy is open-air preaching at Pinstripe Bowl.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 30 Dec 2021 08:01:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-29-jeremy-chong-new-era-pinstripe-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/21 -Joe Hinson - Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-21-joe-hinson-tropical-smoothie-cafe-frisco-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist-414f808e.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Tropical Smoothie Frisco bowl outreach with 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/will.dieterich.100?__cft__[0]=AZV_G18VD7CoJZ6ZrFRJSL1tDLJDS2kenUALvcYOrEh_sHKLSqFIj93lpY9HZuW49AYIimW0LBhSA5Ov9VaFGu_NQgjlF4CdJ7ujSF8WtrURcGrEn9GvrljoeECi8d9nSs3568h7UFf_xH3Fezfzg1jj&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Will S Dieterich
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/joe.hin?__cft__[0]=AZVJu3Eexe69RkUl_TiFxdkm8EMHx6u6R0FgPSsMjQ2Nd-LCHZCDOcm_M7LGdxdhVhj1Z9sYjXV8Gavu-dRy7iRvhXPyPeT9GpFPPwKvY5miLR-44S4PiqQMW_9QqwldRJ8&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Joe Hinson
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            preaching in Frisco at the football game. We have had some encouragement and thanks from people for preaching the gospel. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Romans 1:16‭-‬17 ESV
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 29 Dec 2021 06:41:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-21-joe-hinson-tropical-smoothie-cafe-frisco-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-29-21</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-29-21</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-29-21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord Has Helped Us
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Till now the Lord has helped us.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/1%20Samuel%207:12/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           1 Samuel 7:12
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The phrase “till now” is like a hand pointing in the direction of the past. Twenty years or seventy, and still “till now the LORD has helped us.” Through poverty, through wealth, through sickness, through health, at home, abroad, on the land, on the sea, in honor, in dishonor, in perplexity, in joy, in trial, in triumph, in prayer, in temptation, “till now the LORD has helped us.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We delight to look down a long avenue of trees. It is delightful to gaze from end to end of the long vista, a sort of verdant temple, with its branching pillars and its arches of leaves. In the same way look down the long aisles of your years at the green branches of mercy overhead and the strong pillars of loving-kindness and faithfulness that support your joys.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Are there no birds singing in those branches? Surely there must be many, and they all sing of mercy received “till now.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But the word also points forward. For when a man reaches a certain point and writes “till now,” he is not yet at the end; he still has a distance to go. More trials, more joys; more temptations, more triumphs; more prayers, more answers; more toils, more strength; more fights, more victories; and then he faces sickness, old age, disease, death. Is it over then? No! Then there is wakening in Jesus’ likeness, thrones, harps, songs, psalms, white raiment, the face of Jesus, the company of saints, the glory of God, the fullness of eternity, the infinity of bliss. Be of good courage, believer, and with grateful confidence raise your banner, for—
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He who hath helped thee hitherto
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           Will help thee all thy journey through.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           When read in light of heaven, how glorious and marvelous a prospect will the “till now” provide for your grateful eye!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/12/29/2021/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 29 Dec 2021 03:15:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-29-21</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/21 - Rod Grubb - Famous Idaho Potato Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-21-rod-grubb-famous-idaho-potato-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist-40f6646b.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Outreach (12/21/2021)
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Today’s outreach, at Albertsons Stadium, marked our 6th Sports Fan Outreach International (SFOI) football outreach of the 2021 season at Albertsons Stadium. My partner Mike Burns and I were very thankful for the 1:30om kick-off for today’s Potato Bowl game featuring the Wyoming Cowboys and the Kent State Golden Flashes. With the exception of one game this year, all of our previous games this season, were 7pm kickoffs. Because this was a daytime game, we were blessed with fairly pleasant December temps in the 40’s, with mostly clear skies and no wind.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Many of the spectators appeared to have been bused to the stadium today as we kept encountering bus-sized groups of fans. We were able to team up to handle these crowd bursts with primarily Christmas million dollar bill (MDB) tracts. We estimated that nearly 90% accepted the of the over 1K MDB’s we were blessed to deliver— that’s a fantastic acceptance rate!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It was about 45 minutes before kickoff that we noticed that a substantial crowd had accumulated around the “C” ticket gate. That large group of fans allowed us to be able to do a bit of open-air preaching. Mike and I began by singing our a cappella rendition of “O Come, All Ye Faithful”. From there, I transitioned to reading the account of our Savior’s birth from Luke 1:39-56; Luke 2:1-20. I concluded by open-air preaching the gospel. Mike also open-aired the gospel to wrap today’s outreach. We both enjoyed a series of short gospel conversations throughout the outreach.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Wyoming ultimately prevailed this afternoon with a 52-38 win over Kent State. There were over 10K in attendance at today’s bowl game.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Please pray for those who heard the gospel and/or received tracts. May the Holy Spirit give no rest or peace until these divine appointments humbly repent and trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord . . . Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           — Luke 2:11,14
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           All glory to God… Yay Jesus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/sfoi1000?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXhwgzi3Ao7QGoGxM3MVPoYNEfYspqUaHXhKF8YmfwViEpr8qaHYlT0ySmD2RwP6CsS9aWsPARmV8lEpjMKF4TZ8l1CWHscSLmN_fuswI8TKXmhchWU5QM2-kogi_s0rkzezCvxdJcLlUkllwBXOv1D&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #sfoi1000
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/openairpreaching?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXhwgzi3Ao7QGoGxM3MVPoYNEfYspqUaHXhKF8YmfwViEpr8qaHYlT0ySmD2RwP6CsS9aWsPARmV8lEpjMKF4TZ8l1CWHscSLmN_fuswI8TKXmhchWU5QM2-kogi_s0rkzezCvxdJcLlUkllwBXOv1D&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #openairpreaching
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/evangelism?__eep__=6&amp;amp;__cft__[0]=AZXhwgzi3Ao7QGoGxM3MVPoYNEfYspqUaHXhKF8YmfwViEpr8qaHYlT0ySmD2RwP6CsS9aWsPARmV8lEpjMKF4TZ8l1CWHscSLmN_fuswI8TKXmhchWU5QM2-kogi_s0rkzezCvxdJcLlUkllwBXOv1D&amp;amp;__tn__=*NK-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           #evangelism
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sfoi.org%2FCollege-Football-Bowl-Games%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2idLz0QNd10PSQHCq3RbzNZ8X8uN19nlaqzuZNOx5QWdDxbreYaa-Sjao&amp;amp;h=AT3h144vphj3IQ_F-u1DgKVPpdweQWitMsEkKdLgLo0h2eNeIDWhJRRirOkoKfdQwOr1MLxpSEP4qRx0yDLUuK-_ih_o2WSCLkyD0gtBAY9fXsfB_aZKut0HtzefD7XkIh0rx6RqGOSW_4qpnGAIX1Y&amp;amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;amp;c[0]=AT0ELJJThy0uvDHceXkuwq4C8XaS4vG3owEWfcGdE6aO-mVbojY3y8kNGdsooNSnJoEJ48LcWQ9B4eJQWpvakRvkXn9Ik0g22NbY7Tz5KYi1TrlXekgALxvYqPULN8DlOMNLQVxIsAn_WYLddLvDzFlcUjSODeyCa69SL6mEUscR7kM" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Check out my Brother Mike Burns as he open-aired the “reason for the season” at today’s Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Albertsons Stadium! We also sang an a cappella rendition of “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Yay Jesus
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Dec 2021 22:03:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-21-rod-grubb-famous-idaho-potato-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/19 - Brian Ninde - Indianapolis Colts #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-19-brian-ninde-indianapolis-colts-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/609B7D94-0C43-4DAD-8528-2255E2B3F210.jpeg" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Here are video highlights of Game 8 from this weekend.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.sfoi.org/Indianapolis-Colts"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://www.sfoi.org/Indianapolis-Colts
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Dec 2021 21:35:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-19-brian-ninde-indianapolis-colts-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/18 - Tatsuo Akamine - LA Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-18-tatsuo-akamine-la-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist+%281%29-6abef211.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not big crowds, but to God be the glory!
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/20211218_141424.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Dec 2021 21:19:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-18-tatsuo-akamine-la-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/18 - Justin Rodriguez - Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-18-justin-rodriguez-radiance-technologies-independence-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist-3c8643ef.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It went amazing! God opened the door for me to have some really good conversation with people of the Mormon Faith and was able to share with them the true Jesus and true Gospel! God was glorified.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NM+Bowl.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Dec 2021 21:01:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-18-justin-rodriguez-radiance-technologies-independence-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-28-21</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-28-21</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-28-21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           An Historic Faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           “Once upon a time . . .” These words signal the beginning of a fairy tale, a story of make believe, not an account of sober history. Unlike beginning with the words “once upon a time,” the Bible begins with the words, “In the beginning God….” This statement, at the front end of the entire Bible, introduces the Pentateuch or the first five books of the Old Testament, and it sets the stage for God’s activity in linear history. From the opening chapters of Genesis to the end of the book of Revelation, the entire dynamic of redemption takes place within the broader setting of real space and time, of concrete history.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           The historical character of Judeo-Christianity is what markedly distinguishes it from all forms of mythology. A myth finds its value in its moral or spiritual application, while its historical reality remains insignificant. Fairy tales can help our mood swings, but they do little to give us confidence in ultimate reality. The twentieth century witnessed a crisis in the historical dimension of biblical Christianity. German theologians made a crucial distinction between ordinary history and what they called “salvation history,” or sometimes “redemptive history.” This distinction was based in the first instance on the obvious character of sacred Scripture, namely, that it is not only a record of the ordinary events of men and nations. It is not a mere chronicle of human activity but includes within it the revelation of God’s activity in the midst of history. Because the Bible differs from ordinary history and was called “salvation history,” it was a short step from there to ripping the biblical revelation out of its historical context altogether. No one was more important in the snatching of the Gospels out of history than the German theologian Rudolf Bultmann. Bultmann devised a new theology that he called “a theology of timelessness.” This theology of timelessness is not interested in the past or in the future as categories of reality. What counts according to Bultmann is the hic et nunc, the “here and now,” or the present moment. Salvation doesn’t take place on the horizontal plane of history, but it takes place vertically in the present moment or what others called “the existential moment.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           We might ask the question: How long does a moment last? There is a parallel between Descartes’ concept of the “point” and the existentialist’s concept of the “moment.” When Descartes searched for a middle position between the physical and the mental, the extended and the non-extended, he described a mathematical point as the transition between the two realms. The point serves as a hybrid between the physical and the non-physical in the sense that a point takes up space, but has no definite dimensions. In similar fashion, the function of the existential moment in salvation for people like Bultmann is this, that the moment is in time but has no definite duration. On the one hand, it participates in time; on the other hand, it transcends time and is what some have called “supratemporal,” that is, beyond time. When salvation is understood in these terms, the whole notion of linear history becomes basically insignificant and unimportant. The old quest for the historical Jesus can then be abandoned as being a fool’s errand. Again, for Bultmann’s existential Gospel, salvation comes directly and immediately from above. It comes from the vertical plane, in a moment of existential crisis.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bultmann went on to make a distinction between history and mythology, arguing that the Bible is a mixture of both. In order for the Bible to be relevant to modern people, it must first be stripped of its mythological husk in order to penetrate the salvific core. That is, it must be submitted to the task of “demythologizing.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Not everybody in twentieth-century biblical scholarship embraced the thought of Bultmann with respect to redemption and history. Some of his critics accused him of being a neo-gnostic for lifting salvation out of the plane of the knowable.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Herman Ridderbos, the Dutch New Testament scholar, agreed that biblical history is redemptive history, but it is at the same time redemptive history. Though the content of Scripture is deeply concerned with redemption, that redemption is inseparably tied to the reality of the historical context in which it takes place. One need not be a philosopher or a theological scholar to understand the difference between the words, “once upon a time,” and the words, “in the year that king Uzziah died,” or, “a decree went out from Caesar Augustus.” The biblical concept of redemption in history sees God moving in space and time, preparing His people for the consummation of His plan of salvation. Christ comes to the earth not at an accidental point in history but “in the fullness of time” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Gal.%204%3A4/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gal. 4:4
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           ).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Oscar Cullman, the Swiss scholar, wrote strenuously combating the vertical, existential theology of Bultmann by doing a fascinating study of the concept of time itself in Scripture. He emphasized, for example, the distinction between two Greek words, both of which can be translated by the English word time. The two Greek words are kairos and chronos. Chronos refers to the moment-by-moment passage of time. It is the word from which English words like chronicle, chronology, or chronometer are derived. It refers to the ordinary passage of time in history. Kairos refers to a particularly pregnant moment in history that is of enduring significance. A kairotic moment is a moment that shapes the history of everything that comes after it. In the Old Testament, for example, the exodus was a kairotic moment. In the New Testament, the birth of Jesus, the cross, and the resurrection are all kairotic moments. The closest word we have to this in English is the word historic. Every event that takes place in history is historical, but not every event that takes place in history is deemed historic. To be historic it has to have special significance and special impact on life. So the Bible is the record of God’s historic works of redemption within the context of space and time. Take the Gospel and its message out of the context of history, and Christianity is destroyed altogether.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/historic-faith
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Dec 2021 14:19:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-28-21</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-27-21</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-27-21</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-27-21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Flourish Even in Drought
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Can reeds flourish where there is no water?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/Job%208:11/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            Job 8:11
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The reed is spongy and hollow, and so is a hypocrite; there is no substance or stability in him. It is shaken back and forth in every wind, just as the outwardly religious yield to every influence; for this reason the reed is not broken by the storm, neither are hypocrites called to face persecution. I would not willingly be a deceiver or be deceived; perhaps the text for today may help me to test myself to see whether I am a hypocrite or not.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The reed by nature lives in water and owes its very existence to the mire and moisture in which it has taken root; let the water drain away, and the reed withers very quickly. Its greenness is absolutely dependent upon circumstances; a continuous supply of water makes it flourish, and a drought destroys it at once.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Is this my case? Do I only serve God when I am in good company or when faith is profitable and respectable? Do I love the Lord only when I am enjoying comforts from His hands? If so I am just a hypocrite, and like the withering reed, I will perish when death deprives me of outward joys.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But can I honestly maintain that when there have been few bodily comforts, and my surroundings have been adverse to grace rather than at all helpful to it, I have still maintained my integrity? Then I have hope that there is genuine vital godliness in me.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The reed cannot grow without water, but the Lord’s plants can and do flourish even when there is a drought. A godly man often grows best when his worldly circumstances are daunting. He who follows Christ for money is a Judas; those who follow for loaves and fishes are children of the devil; but those who stay close out of love to Himself are His own beloved ones. Lord, let me find my life in You, and not in the shifting sands of this world’s favor or gain.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Mon, 27 Dec 2021 15:26:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-27-21</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/18 - Marc Gallegos &amp; Jeff Katt - New Mexico Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-18-marc-gallegos-jeff-katt-new-mexico-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist-cc098174.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Marc open-air preaching at the New Mexico Bowl. He is to the left.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/NM+Bowl.jpg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Sun, 26 Dec 2021 03:41:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-18-marc-gallegos-jeff-katt-new-mexico-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-24-21</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-24-21</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-24-21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           He Became Poor
           &#xD;
      &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
        
            ﻿
           &#xD;
      &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           For your sake he became poor.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;blockquote&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.truthforlife.org/bible/2%20Corinthians%208:9/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
            2 Corinthians 8:9
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/blockquote&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The Lord Jesus Christ was eternally rich, glorious, and exalted; but “though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor.” As the wealthy believer cannot be true in his fellowship with his poor brethren unless from his wealth he ministers to their needs, so (the same rule holding with the head as between the members) it is impossible that our Divine Lord could have had fellowship with us unless He had given to us from His own abounding wealth and had become poor so as to make us rich.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
      
           If He had remained upon His throne of glory, and we had continued in the ruins of the Fall without receiving His salvation, fellowship would have been impossible on both sides. Our position by the Fall, apart from the covenant of grace, made it as impossible for fallen man to communicate with God as it is for Satan to be in communion with Christ. In order, therefore, that communion might be enjoyed, it was necessary for the rich relative to bestow his estate upon his poor relatives, for the righteous Savior to give to His sinning brethren from His own perfection, and for we, the poor and guilty, to receive of His fullness grace for grace, so that in giving and receiving, the One might descend from the heights, and the other ascend from the depths, and in this way be able to embrace each other in true and hearty fellowship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Poverty must be enriched by Him in whom are infinite treasures before it can begin to commune; and guilt must lose itself in imputed and imparted righteousness before the soul can walk in fellowship with purity. Jesus must clothe His people in His own garments or He cannot admit them into His palace of glory; and He must wash them in His own blood or else they will be too defiled for the embrace of His fellowship.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Believer, herein is love! For your sake the Lord Jesus “became poor” that He might lift you up into communion with Himself.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/daily-devotionals/latest/?gclid=CjwKCAjwnK36BRBVEiwAsMT8WCR8UteIwaWlAyP4o9ZIuAWio8l7qmAM1nDcB3pFiYr-jOUNkgMsShoC68IQAvD_BwE
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Fri, 24 Dec 2021 15:03:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-24-21</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-23-21</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-23-21</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-23-21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Christmas in Isaiah: A Child and A Son
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           "For to us a child is born,
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           to us a son is given” (
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.esv.org/Isa.%209%3A6a/" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Isa. 9:6a
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           )
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At Christmas time, we often celebrate the first part of this stanza, “unto us a child is born.” We set up nativity sets that show a baby in a manger. We sing “Away in a Manger” and “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem.” We stage plays at church given to us by the children that tell the story of the Christ-child from Luke chapter 2. We talk of “Baby Jesus,” of whom we’ve awaited throughout all this waiting period that we call Advent.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           It’s easy to think of a child who the Lord has sent to bring hope and peace. Babies are cute and pleasing for us to gaze upon. Even the most normal baby can bring us a sense of hope and peace; what more a child, a baby, sent by Yahweh Himself to bring “peace on earth and goodwill toward men.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But what of the second part, “unto us a son is given”? You see, the baby only brings peace because he is the Son of God. Furthermore, the Son will grow. He will live a perfect God-pleasing life in our stead. He will give his life and die on a tree for us. He will die to pay the price for our sin. To most, their children (sons and daughters alike) are the most precious things in their lives. So, at Christmas, we easily remember the baby in the manger, but let us also ponder the Son, the precious Son of God, given as a ransom and sacrifice for us, that we too might be called children of God.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           God was not content to have one precious child. He desired that you too be called, and truly be, children of God. Thus, God gave that which was most precious to him so that you might be his own child and live with him in everlasting peace and blessedness. So, at Christmas let us look both to the baby in the manger and the Son given for you, and to Easter and the Son risen from the dead as the firstfruits of your resurrection. The Lord of Hosts will come again in glory with all his angels. His Advent is once again close at hand. And when he comes again, on account of the baby and the Son, he will look at you and say, “Well done my child, enter into the kingdom and receive all of my blessings which are now yours.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Merry Christmas to you and all of God’s children on account of Christ.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://www.1517.org/articles/christmas-in-isaiah-a-child-and-a-son
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Thu, 23 Dec 2021 14:21:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-23-21</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Daily Devotional 12-22-21</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-22-21</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Daily Devotional 12-22-21
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Why Shepherds...?
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Does Christmas hold out something special for you? A time to be with family, Covid permitting? A joyful celebration? Or is it nothing but fake news and a season of stress? Let me touch on two scenes in the biblical narrative in Luke chapter 2.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But first, let’s remember who the writer is – Luke, the physician. Trained in medicine he understood the principles of research. Indeed, at the outset of his narrative he assures us that he has carefully researched his account of the Jesus story and verified it with eyewitnesses (Luke 1:1-3). Furthermore, like all good historians, he identifies the time of the events. At the beginning of chapter 2 he writes: In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered (Luke 2:1).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           As we look back at this, we see that Augustus’s mandate requiring a census of the people set in motion events that resulted in the fulfilment of God’s promises. It’s worth noting that the God who exists beyond time, works out his own purposes in the course of human decisions and affairs.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The birth. The time came for her (Mary) to deliver her child, Luke continues (2:6b, 7). And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The word inn is not an accurate translation of the original word. The usual word for inn is found in the story of the good Samaritan where the Samaritan generously provides for a victim of terrorism at an inn (Luke 10:34). The word in Luke 2 is another word, katalyma which literally means a place to stay or guest room. It is the same word Luke uses to refer to a guest room in a private house in Jerusalem where Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples (Luke 22:11).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In Jesus’ day poorer families lived in homes with one large extended room, for living and for sleeping. And at one end there was always a small area at ground level, but under the same roof, where the family animals were kept at night to keep them secure.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Luke is telling us that in the home where Jesus was born there was literally no guest room. Mary had to make do for the birth of Jesus at the end of the living room, near the animals. What’s more, she used the cattle feeding-trough, a manger, for Jesus’s crib.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Shepherds. Luke again surprises us when he reports that an angel announced the birth to shepherds who were working on a hillside near Bethlehem: … In the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them and said: “To you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:8, 9a, 11).
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           At the time of Jesus’ birth, shepherds were at the bottom of the social order. They were the lost, the outsiders. Why did the angel announce the birth to them? Given the resources of heaven they could have pulled off one very spectacular announcement in Bethlehem or, better still, in Jerusalem.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           To begin to appreciate the reason the angel spoke to the shepherds we need to consider a back-story we find in the Book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel spoke of the kings of Israel as shepherds, but he knew that many of them were self-indulgent, power-hungry exploiters. In Ezekiel’s day God’s people had been conquered by the Babylonians – Jerusalem was in ruins and its people were in exile. Ezekiel 34 tells us it was the fault of the kings, the shepherds.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           But Ezekiel’s news is not all negative. He speaks of a day when God would raise up a new and perfect king, a shepherd-king in the line of king David –a king whose power and glory was far beyond what anyone dreamed.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           The king. With the angel’s announcement to the shepherds, we see that Jesus’ birth is the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s promise. God himself would raise up a king to do things Israel’s kings hadn’t done— restore the weak and gather the lost, offer an amnesty and open up his rule of justice and peace for the world, for ever. “Then they will know that I the Lord their God am with them” Ezekiel had said (Ezekiel 34:30). Jesus’ birth is indeed the very best news the world has known.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In fulfillment of his promise, the creator God himself has reached down from the glory of highest heaven to rescue and transform the lives of all people, even the lowliest, including the outcasts. No wonder the heavenly choir of angels broke into song: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, ‘shalom’, ‘peace’.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           In her Christmas Broadcast in 2012, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II said, “The carol, In The Bleak Midwinter, ends by asking a question of all of us who know the Christmas story, of how God gave himself to us in humble service: “What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part”. The carol gives the answer “Yet what I can I give him – give my heart”.”
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           How right this is: Jesus wants us to turn to him, our savior-king, and to give him our heart in true repentance, love and loyalty.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Indeed, it is when we give our hearts to Jesus that we can truly sing: O Holy Night… it is the night of the dear Savior’s birth;…
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           From: https://anglicanconnection.com/why-shepherds/
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg" length="61411" type="image/jpeg" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Dec 2021 17:15:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/daily-devotional-12-22-21</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/No-Other-Name-Logo-df1d7c77.jpg">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/12 - John Coble - Tennessee Titans #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-12-john-coble-tennessee-titans-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/269688868_10159857766431774_6495398691967712456_n.jpeg" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            Here's a sampling of the people that heard the gospel on the pedestrian bridge on Sunday, Dec. 12.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/269739355_10159857766891774_3355648429615102235_n.jpeg" alt=""/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Tennessee-Titans"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Tennessee-Titans
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Dec 2021 05:08:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-12-john-coble-tennessee-titans-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/12 - Heath Pucel - Green Bay Packers #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-12-heath-pucel-green-bay-packers-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Evangelist-d6f3529e.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Gospel Preaching brings Gospel conversations
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           With the Packers doing well this season and a Sunday night game, the mixture was set up for an interesting night and it did not disappoint. Lots of tracts distributed and many fans acknowledging their encouragement (positively and otherwise) for being out there as well as recognizing the faithful constancy of us being there. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dan Walczyk, Greg Fischer and Gary were near the stadium, as people cross from their tailgating and parking areas to the stadium, passing out stoplight preaching as they cross the intersection. From their report, lots of tracts went out and the Gospel proclaimed as fans entered into Lambeau Field.
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Dan Davis, Mike Henke and Heath Pucel were at our normal ministry spot on Armed Forces Way preaching the glorious birth and incarnation of Jesus Christ as the greatest gift to mankind needed but not wanted. With the preaching message set, the crowd reacted to the Gospel as it was hearing the message. While Dan was preaching, a fan came up to enter into a discussion as a result of the preaching and Dan stepped down to talk with him. While Dan was in a longer discussion the man eventually slapped the Bible out of Dans hand and kicked it a few feet away and then left. The crowd that was there, reacted with “Hey! That’s not right!” 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Then while Heath was preaching, a professing believer who did not like the preaching pulled the cord from the speaker and then went to walk away. Heath followed and engaged him and he was describing that people needed to hear that God loves them and encouraging them, they didn’t need to feel guilty about who they are. This entered into a 30 minute conversation where another fan walking by and was summoned by the professing believer for his defense started defending Heath as the heckler was not interested in a civil conversation. 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           While Heath returned to preaching another fan tried to pull the gospel sign off the light pole. Overall the Gospel went forth and accomplished exactly what God had set out to accomplish through the preaching.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/Green-Bay-Packers"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/Green-Bay-Packers
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Dec 2021 04:52:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-12-heath-pucel-green-bay-packers-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/18 - Caeden Hood - Boca Raton Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-18-caeden-hood-boca-raton-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist+%281%29-8f8853bb.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Caeden preaching Christ at the Boca Raton Bowl.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Dec 2021 04:36:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-18-caeden-hood-boca-raton-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>12/17 -Bill Adams &amp; Bill Schank  - Cure Bowl #SFOI1000</title>
      <link>https://www.sfoi.org/12-17-bill-adams-bill-schank-cure-bowl-sfoi1000</link>
      <description />
      <content:encoded>&lt;h3&gt;&#xD;
  
         Game Summary
        &#xD;
&lt;/h3&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;img src="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/GS+SFOI+1000+Bowl+Games+Evangelist+%281%29.png" alt="image of sports outreach"/&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
           Hallelujah! 
          &#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://www.facebook.com/bill.shank.756?__cft__[0]=AZVH_7CTVLLNsu1YZGn4YvWFYjTwS0Ty1zY7wUnu9uApWDzDvinfWbEuuj9K2lEXMKxXzBXdzRczbiuF-VaCoAxQCD1YbQ1Raj00lIOcRJgykA3sHHBivCsr-K1ujkgQ0KE&amp;amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank"&gt;&#xD;
      
           Bill Schank
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;span&gt;&#xD;
      
            and I were able to preach the Gospel at the Cure Bowl last night.
           &#xD;
      &lt;br/&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;/span&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;&#xD;
&lt;div data-rss-type="text"&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;p&gt;&#xD;
    &lt;a href="https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games"&gt;&#xD;
      
           https://sfoi.org/College-Football-Bowl-Games
          &#xD;
    &lt;/a&gt;&#xD;
  &lt;/p&gt;&#xD;
&lt;/div&gt;</content:encoded>
      <enclosure url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png" length="1459859" type="image/png" />
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Dec 2021 04:17:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <author>bill@sfoi.org (Bill Adams)</author>
      <guid>https://www.sfoi.org/12-17-bill-adams-bill-schank-cure-bowl-sfoi1000</guid>
      <g-custom:tags type="string" />
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/Football+-+BLOG+POST+HEADING+%28YouTube+Thumbnail%29+%282%29.png">
        <media:description>thumbnail</media:description>
      </media:content>
      <media:content medium="image" url="https://irp.cdn-website.com/93a14b49/dms3rep/multi/BLOG+POST+HEADING+%285%29.png">
        <media:description>main image</media:description>
      </media:content>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>
